The 13-year-old star on NBC’s Annie Live! Airs Thursday, December 2.
He beat out many other young candidates for the role in a nationwide search, and was first announced as the lead in August.
“It has been an honor to follow in the footsteps of the talented young lady who played Annie before me, and I can’t wait to begin this journey,” Smith said in a statement at the time.
Smith is the latest actress to take over the role. Sarah Jessica Parker, Alicia Morton and Quvenzanne Wallis are also among the young stars famous for Annie, a character in the famous Little Orphan Annie comics.
RELATED: Annie Live!: How the NBC Production Starring Harry Connick Jr., Taraji P. Henson Was Pulled
While Smith’s performance with Taraji P. Henson and Harry Connick Jr. captivated audiences, it wasn’t her first time in the spotlight. In fact, Smith started out with another famous musical.
During filming for Annie Live! Happening in New York, Smith is from Atlanta.
Smith started singing at an entertainment camp called AGI Entertainment. She has since toured with The Lion King as Young Nora and appeared in the Tyler Perry series Young Dylan.
Entertainment Magazine listed three of Smith’s famous stars. “I love Viola Davis, Angela Bassett and Marcel Martin because they’ve all accomplished so much and are all such great actresses,” she told the publication. “I love what Marsai has done with Little. I hope to make them proud and meet Mrs Davis and Mrs Bassett one day!”
Leave a Reply