Kayla Brianna Is a Singer & Actress - Facts about Kenny Smith's Daughter

Stunning singer-actress Kayla Brianna is a multi-talented individual who is the daughter of renowned sports commentator and former NBA player Kenny "The Jet" Smith and his ex-wife, Dawn Reavis.

Kayla Brianna, the daughter of Kenny Smith, has carved her path distinct from her father's footsteps. While she did not pursue a career in the same field as her basketball star father, she has found fulfillment and success in the creative sphere.

Stepping into the realm of creativity, she has been able to explore her passions and talents. Embracing her artistic side, she has ventured into various creative endeavors, allowing her unique voice and vision to shine by carving out a double career in music and show business, inspired by her father's determination and work ethic.

Kayla's father, Kenneth Smith, was born in New York City on March 8, 1965. Kenneth, or Kenny, started playing basketball in high school and went on to play college basketball at the University of North Carolina, where he played with Michael Jordan.

Throughout his ten-year pro career, Kenny played for the Sacramento Kings, the Atlanta Hawks, the Houston Rockets, the Detroit Pistons, and Denver Nuggets.

After he retired, Kenny became a sports commentator and analyst and has also done some acting and producing. Among his credits are the 2022 film, "Hustle" with Adam Sandler, LeBron James, and Queen Latifah and the TV series, "The Pathway."

Kayla Brianna Was Born in the '90s

Kenny and Dawn married in 1990. Kenny and Dawn married in 1990. Dawn is an actress, a writer, and a coach. Additionally, she describes herself as a visionary and screenplay connoisseur.

Her entertainment career began in 2004 as a counselor in "Holly's Story." She has since worked on other movies and series, including "Queen Sugar," "Interrogation," "Run Hide Fight," and more.

Shortly after she married the NBA star, they expanded their family when they welcomed their first child, Kayla Brianna Smith, on May 13, 1993. In June 1996, their family grew with the arrival of Kayla's younger sibling, Kenneth Smith Jr.

Her brother, Kenneth Jr., has followed in their dad's footsteps and is also a basketball player. He showcases his defensive skills as a member of the University of North Carolina basketball team, their father's alma mater. It was also the University of North Carolina where their parents met.

In 2005, their parents parted amicably, but their father remained close to them. However, Kayla's father remarried and has two more children: a boy, Malloy, born in 2008, and a daughter, London, born in 2012.

Kayla Made Her Music Debut in 2012

At 14, Kayla shared her aspirations with her father, expressing her desire to pursue a career as a singer. Three years later, at 17, she achieved a significant milestone in her musical journey when she released her hit single titled "If You Love Me" and was signed on by Interscope. Kenny said:

"I told her you've done it through talent. You weren't a YouTube sensation, you weren't on any Idol shows, your talent kicked the door in, and you got a record deal."

In 2015, Kayla achieved a notable musical career milestone making her debut on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts with the release of "Do You Remember," a collaboration with Rich Homie Quan.

Four years later, she released her first full-length album, "Girl Talk." Additionally, she connects with her fans and broader audience through her YouTube channel, where she shares her music and sometimes gives insight into her daily life.

Kayla Brianna Is an Actress

But Kayla is not content to rest on her musical laurels. She is also a talented actress with an enviable and growing resumé. She made her acting debut in 2015 in the series, "Switched at Birth."

Three years later, she was cast as Olivia in four episodes of the Fox TV series "Star." The multi-talented creative has also worked on "Ambitions," "All American," and was a series regular on "NCIS: Los Angeles" alongside Daniela Ruah, Chris O'Donnell, L.L. Cool J, and Linda Hunt.

Kayla Brianna Is Dating an NFL Player

Kayla is in love and dating the Virginia-born NFL player Terrell Edmunds, who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. Terrel and his brother Tremaine made history as the first two siblings to be picked for the NFL draft in the same year.

The singer and actress often share photos of herself and Terrell on Instagram as they spend time together and attend events. Despite his hard work, Kayla's boyfriend is thankful for his parents' support as he revealed they had kept him on the right track and owed all he was to them.

Kayla Brianna's Relationship with Her Father

Kayla and Kenny have a strong, loving relationship. She often accompanies her father to games and events, like the 2019 NBA Awards. He was also with her when she celebrated her debut on the TV series, "Star." The duo has also attended games with her brother and boyfriend in tow.

On Kayla's birthday in 2022, Kenny posted a sweet snap of himself and his daughter with their arms around each other, and he captioned it: "Proud papa! Happy Bday @kaylabrianna love you to the moon and back !! Enjoy today because it's truly #harvestseason!"

The previous year, Kenny asked fans to join him in wishing Kayla a happy birthday as he proceeded to call her his "sugar pie." In the caption of the post, he wrote:

"I'm so proud of the young lady she has become .. from chart topping music to @ncisla, and she's just beginning!! Love you to the moon!!!"

Kayla has revealed that her father has been a significant inspiration. She has seen how hardworking and dedicated he is to his craft, and she embodied that in her work as an actress and a singer.