B. Smith, a renaissance woman, returns to theater

After a three-decade absence, Ms. Smith recently returned to the stage, starring in the hit Off-Broadway play, "Love, Loss, and What I Wore" by Nora and Delia Ephron...

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

Lola Ogunnaike
The New York Times

Before B. Smith found success as a fashion model, restaurateur, television host and cookbook author, she was a struggling lounge singer and actress. “I worked all the small clubs throughout Manhattan and the Catskills,” she said. “Anywhere that would have me.”

After a three-decade absence, Ms. Smith recently returned to the stage, starring in the hit Off-Broadway play, “Love, Loss, and What I Wore” by Nora and Delia Ephron. Based on the best-selling book by Ilene Beckerman, the play examines the monumental role fashion plays in women’s lives, weaving together tales of Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dresses and frumpy maternity gowns, tacky prom get-ups and classic black turtlenecks.

The show features a star-studded rotating cast (everyone from Rosie O’Donnell to Brooke Shields), and in its most recent incarnation, Ms. Smith joined Anne Meara, Conchata Ferrell, Minka Kelly and AnnaLynne McCord.

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