Selling Sunset's Amanza Smith Is Quite the L.A. Renaissance Woman
Amanza Smith brings a much-need dose of down-to-earth reality to Netflix's Selling Sunset. Introduced on the second season of the hit reality series as the newest addition to the acclaimed Oppenheim Group in West Hollywood, the former model-turned-interior-decorator-turned-real estate agent is a refreshing change of character.
Smith's way of telling it like it is doesn't make her any less glam than her fellow castmates, however. If anything, she pulls the curtain back on the classic L.A. hustle as she opens up about her past, her children, her struggles, and her refusal to give up on her dreams while juggling it all.
Below, we've rounded up what you need to know about Smith and how she paved her way into reality television history.
She hasn't always been in the real estate industry.
Before joining Oppenheim Group, Smith worked as a model and then forayed into interior design. She revealed on the show that she got into real estate to be able to provide double results for her clients: selling them a home, and then later, hopefully, decorating it as well.
She has two children from a previous marriage.
Smith was previously married to NFL player Ralph Brown. They tied the knot in 2010 with an Indiana-based ceremony and share two children: a 10-year-old daughter, Noah, and a 9-year-old son, Braker. Smith has spoken on Selling Sunset about the hardships of being a single mother and how she worries about her children growing up not knowing the whereabouts of their father—Smith has stated that she hasn't been in contact with Brown in more th a year.
Dedicated to her kids, Smith told Women's Health that she plans to launch a motherhood-centric YouTube channel. "It's still being developed right now, but hopefully I'll be able to give more advice and tips and pointers. And then, hopefully people can give me some as well because it takes a village, right?" Smith said.
She had a long-term relationship with actor Taye Diggs.
Following Smith's split from Brown and Diggs' divorce from Idina Menzel, Smith and Diggs became an item in 2014 and were in a serious relationship for four years before splitting. During their relationship, Smith often accompanied the actor to red-carpet events, including charity causes, award shows, and even backstage at a Jennifer Lopez concert in Vegas.
She's best friends IRL with Selling Sunset's Mary Fitzgerald.
According to Smith, she and her fellow agent and Selling Sunset costar Mary Fitzgerald have known each other since growing up in the Midwest.
"18 years strong! Just two little Indiana gals all the way out n big ole Los Angeles fumbling their way to their goals!" wrote Smith alongside a photo of her and Fitzgerald on Instagram. "I'm proud of you @themaryfitzgerald. #sellingsunset #netflix"
She and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, shared the same former Hollywood gig.
Similar to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Smith completed a two-season stint as a Deal or No Deal briefcase model. Smith previously spoke with CNBC about what it was like being a vital component of the popular game show.
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