If you wake up with WXYZ-TV in Detroit, you probably feel like you know Alicia Smith. She’s been a staple on the morning news for nearly two decades, bringing a sense of calm and professionalism to the 4:30 a.m. shift that most of us can’t even fathom without three cups of coffee. But when the cameras turn off, viewers often find themselves wondering about the woman behind the desk. Specifically, one question pops up in search bars constantly: who is Alicia Smith married to?
It’s funny how we develop these parasocial relationships with news anchors. They’re in our living rooms while we’re still in our pajamas, yet we know so little about their actual "real" lives. For Alicia, the answer isn’t a mystery, but it is a charming story that feels a bit like a script from an old Hollywood movie.
The Man Behind the Scenes: Erik Karell
Alicia Smith is married to Erik Karell. While Alicia is the one in the spotlight, Erik is well-known in his own right within the Michigan business community. He isn't a TV personality, which honestly probably helps keep their home life a bit more grounded.
They got engaged back in late 2013, a moment that was actually shared with her WXYZ viewers. If you've lived in Metro Detroit long enough, you might remember the buzz when the news broke. They eventually tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony that solidified Alicia's "roots" in the Mitten State.
Actually, Alicia has mentioned before that she’s a "Georgia transplant," originally hailing from Savannah. Moving to Detroit was a career move, but meeting Erik was what turned a job location into a permanent home.
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An Old-Fashioned Love Story
You’ve gotta love how these two met. In a world of dating apps and "sliding into DMs," Alicia and Erik met the old-fashioned way: dancing.
They weren't at a club or a dive bar. They met at the Masonic Temple in Detroit during a big band swing dance event. Alicia has joked in interviews that it sounds incredibly "old-fashioned," but it’s the absolute truth. There’s something kinda poetic about a morning news anchor—someone whose life is dictated by high-tech studios and breaking digital news—finding her husband while swinging to 1940s-style music.
Erik is originally from the Milford, Michigan area. This "local boy" connection is a big reason why Alicia feels so connected to Southeast Michigan. It wasn't just about the career at Channel 7; it was about building a life with someone who grew up in the very communities she reports on every morning.
Navigating Hard Times Together
Marriage isn't just about the fancy swing dances and engagement announcements, though. The couple has faced some heavy stuff, particularly when it comes to family health.
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Alicia has been very open about her "Living a Better Life" segments on WXYZ, where she shares deeply personal stories to help others. In 2017, she lost her father to pancreatic cancer. It was a devastating blow. Not long after, her father-in-law—Erik’s dad—was diagnosed with the exact same disease.
She’s spoken about the care Erik's father received at the Karmanos Cancer Institute. Seeing your spouse go through the same heartbreak you just endured with your own parent is a unique kind of challenge. It’s clear from the way Alicia talks about these experiences that she and Erik are a tight-knit team. They’ve turned their personal pain into advocacy, working closely with organizations like the Sky Foundation to raise awareness for early detection.
Why People Get Confused
If you search for "Alicia Smith husband," you might get a bit frustrated. There are actually several famous Alicia Smiths out there, which makes the internet a bit of a minefield for facts.
- There’s a philanthropist in Houston named Alicia Smith who is married to a man named Lance.
- There’s a professional tennis player from Australia named Alicia Smith.
- You’ll even find obituaries for various Alicia Smiths that list husbands named Donald or Mark.
But for the Detroit news anchor, it’s Erik Karell. Period. They live in the Metro Detroit area and are frequently seen at local charity events, especially those focused on cancer research or animal welfare.
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What Alicia Says About Her Life in Detroit
Alicia has been at WXYZ for about 18 years now. That’s an eternity in the world of broadcast news. Usually, people jump from city to city, trying to climb the market ladder. Alicia stayed.
In a "Where Are They Now" style reflection (even though she never actually left), she admitted she never expected to be on the morning shift for this long. But she says it fits her personality. She likes "waking people up." Having a supportive partner like Erik is likely what makes that 2:00 a.m. alarm clock bearable.
Honestly, the "secret" to her longevity in the Detroit market seems to be that authentic connection to the city. She isn't just a face on the screen; she's a neighbor.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re a fan of Alicia and want to support the causes she and Erik care about, here’s how you can actually get involved:
- Follow the Research: Keep an eye on the Karmanos Cancer Institute and the Sky Foundation. Alicia often highlights their work regarding pancreatic cancer.
- Morning News Routine: You can catch Alicia on 7 Action News This Morning from 4:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. It's the best way to see her professional work in real-time.
- Social Media Interaction: Alicia is incredibly active on social media (she's a big proponent of the #earlyrisers hashtag). She often shares behind-the-scenes snippets of her life, which occasionally include her "supportive tribe" and family.
Understanding the person behind the news desk helps humanize the stories we hear every day. Alicia and Erik’s story is a reminder that even in a fast-paced media world, there’s room for a little bit of old-school swing dancing and a lot of community heart.
Next Steps:
To stay updated on Alicia Smith’s latest community projects or health advocacy work, you can follow her verified profiles on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). She frequently posts updates about the "Living a Better Life" segments which provide resources for Michigan families dealing with similar health challenges.