Wanda Smith was more than just a voice on the radio. She was the person you woke up with. For over two decades, if you lived in Atlanta, you didn’t just listen to Wanda Smith radio host; you felt like you were part of her family. When news broke in October 2024 that Wanda had passed away at age 58, it wasn't just a headline for the entertainment section. It felt like a limb was missing from the city's culture.
Honestly, the way people talk about her now is beautiful, but it's also a bit bittersweet. Everyone remembers the viral clips. You know the ones. But if you only know her from a YouTube thumbnail, you’re missing about 98% of the actual story.
The V-103 Era: More Than Just Jokes
Wanda started at V-103 (WVEE-FM) back in 1998. Think about that for a second. Radio was a completely different beast then. No podcasts. No Spotify. If you wanted to know what was happening in the A, you tuned into Frank and Wanda in the Morning.
She and Frank Ski had this chemistry that you just can't manufacture in a studio. It was fast, it was messy, and it was hilarious. She played the perfect foil to Frank’s more polished delivery. Wanda brought the "everywoman" energy. She was the one who would call you out, laugh at your struggle, and then hand you a check to pay your rent behind the scenes.
A Career Built on the Stage
Before she was a radio queen, she was a monster on the comedy circuit. We’re talking real-deal credits:
- Def Comedy Jam: She earned writing credits and performed on one of the most legendary stages in Black comedy.
- Tyler Perry’s World: You’ve definitely seen her in Madea Goes to Jail and Madea’s Witness Protection.
- Comic View: A staple of the BET era that defined a generation.
She wasn't just "radio famous." She was a respected comedienne who knew how to work a room. That's why her transition to the morning slot was so seamless. She knew timing. She knew how to push buttons.
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What Really Happened With Katt Williams
Look, we have to talk about it because it’s what everyone searches for. In September 2018, Katt Williams walked into the V-103 studios. What was supposed to be a standard interview turned into a brutal, 20-minute "roast battle" that changed the trajectory of Wanda’s career.
Katt went for the jugular. He poked fun at her hair, her weight, and her career. Wanda poked back, mentioning his legal troubles. It was uncomfortable. It was legendary. It was also deeply personal.
The Aftermath and the Gun Controversy
The real mess happened after the microphones were off. That weekend, at the Atlanta Comedy Theater in Norcross, things boiled over. Reports surfaced that Wanda’s husband, LaMorris Sellers, confronted Katt Williams. There were allegations of a firearm being brandished.
"It is a page in her chapter, but it doesn't sum up the book," one listener told local news after her death.
Sadly, that incident lead to a lot of friction. By January 2019, Wanda was out at V-103. People felt like she was "canceled" or pushed out because of the drama. It was a rough exit for someone who had given twenty years to that frequency.
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The Private Battle Nobody Saw
One thing about Wanda Smith—she was private. Even when she was public for everyone else, she kept her own struggles close to the vest.
In 2017, she had a major health scare involving an abscess on her ovaries. She was out for weeks. When she returned, she was her usual bubbly self, but those close to her knew she was fighting. Frank Ski later mentioned that even when he tried to get her back on the air for a new project later in her life, she had to decline because she was sick. She didn't want the world to see her as anything other than the vibrant, laughing woman they loved.
She died on October 12, 2024, just one day after her 59th birthday. The family hasn't released a specific cause of death, citing only a "long illness."
The "Community Mom" Legacy
If you only focus on the Katt Williams drama, you’re doing her a massive disservice. Wanda was a philanthropist in the truest sense. She founded Girls Stand Together, Inc., an organization aimed at empowering young women.
She did "Wanda's Christmas List" every year. This wasn't just a radio bit. She was literally making sure single moms in Atlanta had food on the table and toys under the tree. She used her platform to move money from those who had it to those who didn't.
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Mayor Andre Dickens called her a "staple of our culture." He wasn't exaggerating. She was the bridge between the celebrity world and the person waiting for the MARTA bus.
Actionable Lessons from Wanda’s Journey
Wanda Smith's life offers some pretty heavy lessons for anyone in the public eye—or just anyone trying to navigate a career.
- Own Your Narrative: Wanda was at her best when she was authentically herself. People didn't tune in for perfection; they tuned in for her "Wanda-isms."
- Privacy is a Choice: In an era where everyone overshares, Wanda proved you can be a public figure while keeping your deepest battles for your family.
- Community Over Everything: Your "reach" is measured by who you help when the cameras are off. The hundreds of people at her funeral at Word of Faith Cathedral weren't there for the jokes; they were there because she showed up for them.
The best way to honor Wanda Smith radio host isn't by re-watching the roast clips. It’s by supporting local Atlanta comedy or looking into the youth mentorship programs she championed. She was a Miami native who became the soul of Atlanta. That’s a legacy that survives any viral moment.
To truly understand her impact, look into the archives of the Frank and Wanda Morning Show or visit the sites of the charities she supported, like Girls Stand Together. Her voice might be off the airwaves, but the work she did in the streets of Atlanta is still very much alive.
Next Steps to Honor the Legend:
- Support Local Talent: Visit the Atlanta Comedy Theater where Wanda often performed and supported up-and-coming comics.
- Give Back: Consider a donation to youth empowerment programs in the Atlanta area, continuing the work Wanda started with her own foundation.
- Listen to the History: Check out archived segments of V-103 from the early 2000s to hear the chemistry that defined Atlanta radio.