Just a day after celebrating her 58th birthday, Atlanta radio icon Wanda Smith has passed away, leaving the city and the entertainment world in shock.

Smith, best known for her long-running role as co-host of V103’s “Frank and Wanda in the Morning,” enjoyed decades of success—until one infamous moment turned her life upside down.

In her final days, Wanda Smith opened up about her painful fall from grace. She revealed the real reason for her absence from the public eye: the devastating impact of her on-air clash with comedian Katt Williams.

That impromptu roast session, which went viral, did more than just embarrass her—it derailed her career, her reputation, and ultimately her livelihood.

Wanda explained that she never wanted a combative interview. She respected Katt Williams and wasn’t the type of comedian to trade harsh barbs.

But as the interview spiraled, with Katt launching pointed jokes about her appearance, career, and family, Wanda found herself outmatched and unable to recover. Clips of the exchange were watched millions of times, and the internet was ruthless. As one commenter put it, “It wasn’t a roast, it was a cremation.”

The fallout was immediate and severe. Wanda’s career took a nosedive. Despite years as a beloved radio host and comedian, she struggled to book gigs and found her opportunities drying up. The public’s reaction was unsympathetic; many felt she brought the situation on herself by asking Katt about his children and legal troubles—topics she’d agreed beforehand to avoid.

The situation escalated further when Wanda’s husband confronted Katt Williams at a comedy club, brandishing a weapon. The incident made headlines, and though Katt declined to press charges, the damage to Wanda’s reputation was done.

V103 quietly parted ways with her in 2019, ending a partnership that had lasted over two decades. Even her colleagues were stunned; no public reason was given for her departure, but many suspected the Katt Williams incident played a major role.

After leaving V103, Wanda attempted a comeback, teasing a new radio partnership with Ricky Smiley. But the plans fizzled, her social media went silent, and she faded from the spotlight. Only her most loyal fans continued to support her stand-up appearances.

Privately, Wanda battled illness, a struggle she kept hidden even from close friends and colleagues. When news of her death broke, her former co-host Frank Ski expressed shock, saying he hadn’t realized how much she was suffering.

Attempts by friends to organize a fundraiser were declined by Wanda, who wished to keep her illness private.

In her last interviews, Wanda held Katt Williams responsible for the collapse of her career and blamed the radio station for airing the roast. Yet, the public largely saw her as a victim of her own choices, unable to adapt to the viral nature of modern media.

Wanda Smith’s legacy is a cautionary tale about fame, resilience, and the unforgiving world of viral entertainment. Her story reminds us just how quickly a celebrated career can unravel—and how difficult it is to recover once the court of public opinion has made its judgment.