D. Smith, the Grammy-winning producer, filmmaker, and former “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” cast member took to Instagram to let the world know he’s transitioning back to living as a man after spending the last twelve years publicly as a transgender woman, and he wants everybody to know it’s not a regret, it’s personal growth.
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For those who might need a refresher, D. Smith’s résumé is stacked. Before the world knew him as a trailblazing trans woman in entertainment, Smith was already a heavy hitter behind the boards, co-writing and producing “Shoot Me Down” on Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter III,” the album that scooped up the Grammy for Best Rap Album back in 2009. Over the years he built a catalog working with the likes of Ciara, Katy Perry, CeeLo Green, Andre 3000, Monica, Fantasia, and Nipsey Hussle, and more.
In 2014, Smith came out as transgender, a decision that reportedly cost him dearly in the industry. Two years later, Smith stepped into reality TV as the first openly trans woman on “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta,” bringing conversations about trans identity straight into the middle of Black entertainment culture. Smith pivoted into filmmaking, directing the raw and celebrated documentary “Kokomo City,” which told the stories of Black trans sex workers and premiered to acclaim at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
Now, more than a decade after that first announcement, Smith is telling fans he’s ready for something new. In the caption, Smith wrote:
“For most of my life, I’ve followed my heart, even when the path wasn’t easy to understand. Over the last twelve years, I lived my life publicly as a transgender woman. Those years weren’t a mistake. They were real. They introduced me to extraordinary people, profound experiences, and lessons that I will always carry with me forever.”
He made it clear this move isn’t him running from his past, it’s him building on it. “Going forward, I’ll be living and presenting as a man and using he/him pronouns.”
Smith went on to say, “This isn’t about erasing my past. Living my life as a woman for 12 years showed me the man that I wanted to become. My respect and love for the transgender community remain unchanged, and I continue to believe that every person deserves to live with dignity, safety, and compassion and have the freedom to become themselves.”
Smith also touched on the emotional weight of getting to this point, admitting the road hasn’t been easy but that purpose kept pulling him forward. “Life is constantly pushing me to grow. Even when I feel tired, discouraged, or alone, life has given me strength because I chose purpose over fear. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who supported me throughout every season of my life.”
And true to form, Smith left the door open for a deeper story down the line, hinting there’s a lot more behind this decision than what fits in a caption. “There is much more to this journey than can fit into this statement. When the time is right, I’ll share that story in full. Until then, thank you for allowing me space to continue growing.”
However this chapter unfolds, one thing’s for sure: Smith has never been afraid to be honest about who he is, even when it’s complicated.