In 1969, Smith won the title of "Ms Zodiac of 1969", an astrological beauty contest held in Hollywood, California.
She began making regular appearances on television shows such as Emergency!, Room 222, Sanford & Son, Ellery Queen, Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law, Barnaby Jones, The Jeffersons, Joe Forrester and Police Story.
In the film, Smith performed backing vocals to the Curtis Mayfield-penned songs, "Something He Can Feel," "Hooked On Your Love," and "Jump" (which were all re-recorded by Aretha Franklin for the entire soundtrack).
Since her role in Sparkle, Smith largely faded from television and film altogether, appearing in the direct-to-video MP Da Last Don (1998) as Master P's mother, In The Wake (2000) and House Party 4: Down to the Last Minute (2001) as Mrs. Dixon.
[citation needed] On August 3, 2011, Smith recently appeared in a YouTube video via her channel 'mizdwan4' to which she was to reveal her sexuality for the first time.