Shaquita Smith may spend her time bouncing between film sets in Los Angeles and red carpets across the country, but home will always be the South. “The South raised me,” she says with pride. “It’s authentic. I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for the South.” Born in Alabama and crowned Miss Buckhead in 2013, Shaquita hung up her pageant sash not long after and traded the runway for the screen—quickly landing her first role on NCIS: New Orleans and later starring as Adrien in AMC’s Wicked City, a performance that stirred early Emmy buzz.
Her Buckhead home is where she finds calm between flights, filming and other projects. Shaquita brings her signature colorful chic style to everything she does. “It really depends on my mood—I’m a Pisces,” she laughs. “But I love elegant, vibrant looks that stand out and make you feel confident.” Known for turning heads on the red carpet, she’s equally at ease in laid-back Southern staples when she’s home, often spotted around town in casual looks that still carry effortless polish. “Buckhead just has this mix of charm and style—it’s where I feel most myself.” And she always stays true to her grandmother’s rules of style, which are to never leave home without mascara, your hair done and lipstick.
But for Shaquita, style goes deeper than surface. She’s drawn to people who use their platforms with purpose. “Angelina Jolie is one of the most powerful women in the world—not because of the entertainment industry, but because she’s created a platform rooted in helping society,” she says. “That’s what I admire. I love people who give back and stand for something bigger than themselves. Jamie Foxx is another one—he has a heart of gold.”
That mindset has shaped her career. One of her closest mentors, actor Anthony Mackie, gave her advice early on that she still lives by: “If you’re an artist, be an artist. Don’t worry about the publicity and that stuff.” The two met through a mutual friend and have stayed close ever since. “That really stuck with me,” she says. “It’s about the work, not the noise.”
Behind the glam is a grounded creative and entrepreneur. When constant travel and long days on the set began to affect her skin, she took matters into her own hands—literally. Her skin care line, Beauty Rituals, inspired by the exact seven-step nightly ritual she swears by, launched just eight months ago and has already built a loyal following. “Moisture and hydration are non-negotiable,” she says. “Your face goes through a lot when you’re flying coast to coast and under those lights.”
With several projects currently under wraps—including a major studio film and an upcoming Warner collaboration with multiple roles as both actress and producer—Shaquita’s momentum is undeniable. Yet despite the career acceleration, she remains firmly rooted in her values and community. “Buckhead keeps me grounded. It reminds me of who I am.”
And in an industry often obsessed with image, that sense of self is her most stylish asset of all. Stay tuned—Shaquita Smith is just getting started!