The Untold Story Of Stephen A. Smith’s Daughters: Samantha And Nyla’s Lives Beyond The 'First Take' Spotlight

The world knows Stephen A. Smith as the fiery, opinionated, and highest-paid commentator at ESPN, a dominant force on *First Take* who rarely holds back. Yet, behind the "Screamin' A" persona is a fiercely private single father of two remarkable young women, Samantha and Nyla Smith. As of late 2025, these teenage daughters—now approximately 17 and 16 years old—are stepping into their own spotlights, with one already forging a path in the entertainment industry that rivals her father's own media presence. For years, Stephen A. Smith kept his family life completely out of the public eye, only revealing his fatherhood in a 2019 interview when his children were already 11 and 10. This deliberate privacy highlights the deep commitment Smith has to protecting his daughters while navigating his high-profile career. The rare glimpses he does offer—often centered on their academic achievements or shared moments—paint a picture of a devoted dad balancing the demands of a 24/7 media empire with the responsibilities of raising two young women in New York.

Stephen A. Smith: A Full Biographical Profile

Before diving into the lives of his daughters, it is essential to understand the man who raised them. Stephen Anthony Smith, widely known as Stephen A., has built an unparalleled career from a foundation of hard work and relentless dedication.

• Full Name: Stephen Anthony Smith
• Date of Birth: October 14, 1967
• Age (as of late 2025): 58 years old
• Birthplace: The Bronx, New York, U.S.
• Parents: Janet Smith (mother, deceased) and an unnamed father. His parents were from the United States Virgin Islands.
• Siblings: He has four older sisters and a younger brother, Basil, who tragically died in a car accident in 1992.
• Education:
  • Thomas Edison High School (Queens, New York)
  • Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), a historically Black university (HBCU) in North Carolina. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Mass Communication in 1991.
• Career Highlights:
  • Began as a writer for *The Philadelphia Inquirer*.
  • Rose to prominence as an NBA analyst and commentator.
  • Executive Producer and co-host of ESPN’s flagship debate show, *First Take*.
  • Host of *The Stephen A. Smith Show* on ESPN Radio.
  • Author of the 2023 bestselling memoir, *Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes*.
• Relationship Status: Single Father. He was once engaged, but the relationship ended, and he has chosen to raise his daughters, Samantha and Nyla, as a single parent.

Samantha Smith: The Rising Star Following a Different Path

The most publicly known of Stephen A. Smith's children is his older daughter, Samantha Smith. While her father dominates the world of sports commentary on networks like ESPN, Samantha has chosen a different, yet equally demanding, path in the entertainment industry: acting. In a surprising twist for a family dedicated to privacy, Samantha has begun to build a professional acting resume that extends far beyond high school drama. Her career is a testament to the idea that the apple sometimes falls far from the tree, trading the sports arena for the soundstage.

Key Roles and Entertainment Ventures

Samantha Smith has already secured notable roles in major streaming productions, demonstrating a serious commitment to her craft.

• *The Best Man: The Final Chapters* (Peacock): Samantha appeared in this limited series, which was a continuation of the popular *Best Man* film franchise. Her appearance alongside her father at the December 2022 Hollywood premiere was one of the first major public outings for the duo.
• *Saturdays* (Disney+): She also landed a role in the Disney+ series *Saturdays*, a show centered around a teenage girl's passion for roller skating.
• Other Works: Her resume includes other works like *Wrong Place Wrong Time*, showcasing a young actress dedicated to gaining experience across various genres.

Beyond her on-screen work, Samantha is also deeply involved in the production side of theater, actively managing her high school's theater productions. This dual focus on performance and leadership suggests a young woman with a clear vision for her future, a trait she likely inherited from her highly driven father. Stephen A. has expressed immense pride in her dedication, often noting that she is carving out her own success entirely on her own terms.

Nyla Smith: The Private Younger Sister and Academic Focus

In contrast to her sister Samantha's burgeoning public profile, Nyla Smith, the younger of Stephen A. Smith’s two daughters, maintains a much lower public profile. This is largely by design, as Stephen A. Smith has been vocal about his desire to shield his children from the intense scrutiny that comes with his celebrity status. While details about Nyla are scarce, the information available paints her as a dedicated student with a close bond to her family.

• The Need for Privacy: Stephen A. Smith has consistently used his platform to highlight the importance of allowing his daughters to have a normal childhood, free from the constant media attention he receives. He has stated that when it comes to his daughters, he prefers to "keep matters to himself."
• The Family Unit: Despite the privacy, Smith occasionally mentions Nyla in interviews, often alongside Samantha. He has spoken about how his daughters, especially after the death of his mother, Janet Smith, gave him a "new lease of life," helping him to prioritize and find deeper meaning outside of his demanding career.
• Academic Achievements: Like her sister, Nyla is reportedly a focused student. Stephen A. Smith has often stressed the importance of education, a value instilled in him during his time at Winston-Salem State University, an HBCU he proudly attended.

The lack of public information about Nyla is a deliberate reflection of a father prioritizing his younger child's right to privacy, ensuring she can develop away from the "hot takes" and debate culture that defines his professional life.

The Single Fatherhood Dynamic and Stephen A.’s Legacy

Stephen A. Smith's role as a single father is a crucial part of his personal narrative and a major entity in understanding his life. He has often credited his daughters with providing him with perspective and motivation. In various interviews, including a candid conversation with *GQ*, Smith explained that his kids were his main reason for keeping his personal life under wraps for so long. He wanted them to grow up without feeling the weight of his fame. He has also shared that his daughters are his toughest critics, often challenging his on-air opinions, which he takes in stride. This dynamic of a tough-talking media personality being gently corrected by his teenage daughters is a source of great amusement and pride for him. The relationship between Stephen A. Smith, Samantha, and Nyla is a powerful example of a public figure successfully drawing a firm line between his professional and private worlds. As Samantha continues to pursue her acting career and Nyla moves through her final high school years, the world is beginning to see the next generation of the Smith family emerge, each forging a unique path supported by a devoted, if intensely private, father. Their stories are not just footnotes to a sports legend's career, but compelling narratives of young women finding their voices in the shadow of a media giant.