Actor and musician Algee Smith joined Angela Yee’s Lip Service podcast for a revealing conversation about his past relationship challenges, artistic evolution, and plans for the future. The 30-year-old Saginaw, Michigan native, recognized for his roles in Euphoria and The Hate U Give, used the platform to reflect openly on personal accountability and the inspiration behind his latest music.
Smith admitted to being unfaithful in a previous three-to-four-year relationship, calling the breakup his fault. He acknowledged cheating with multiple women and pointed to a mix of notoriety, accessibility, and lack of self-control as contributing factors.
He recalled that the relationship ended when his girlfriend discovered evidence of infidelity on his phone. Instead of denying responsibility, Smith said he accepted it and took accountability.
Following the breakup, Smith spent six months to a year focusing on himself and avoiding new relationships. That period of reflection ultimately fueled the creation of his deeply personal EP Love Loss, which documents his emotional journey through heartbreak, guilt, and growth.
The project’s opening track, Numb, captures his reliance on substances and distractions to avoid facing regret. He described that phase as an attempt to block out accountability, choosing not to feel anything at all.
Outside of music, Smith is in preparation for an upcoming boxing film with Jamie Foxx centered on the 1984 Olympic boxing team. His daily routine currently spans 9 AM to 4 PM with professional-level training that includes sparring, running, jump rope, and working alongside boxers such as Chris Algieri.
As part of this commitment, Smith has embraced traditional boxing discipline, including avoiding sex before training days to preserve energy, while joking about finding workarounds on weekends.
Having faced hard lessons in love, Smith now prioritizes qualities like self-love, spiritual grounding, empathy, and family values in potential partners. He expressed openness to being with someone who earns more financially, though he still sees himself covering household responsibilities.
Looking ahead, Smith said he wants to start a family in his mid-30s and hopes to avoid being single or casually dating later in life. His goal is to build a stable family legacy while balancing his career.
The conversation also turned toward monogamy. While Smith said he values honesty, he admitted uncertainty about long-term exclusivity, suggesting he might consider opening up a relationship after 10 to 15 years. What he emphasized most was the importance of transparency, being upfront about desires rather than being dishonest behind a partner’s back.
Joining the discussion, relationship expert Chanel N. Scott weighed in on accountability and when it’s healthiest to end a relationship. Together, the group explored the differences in how men and women process breakups, with Smith acknowledging that women often begin the deeper emotional work earlier, while men tend to mask pain.
By sharing his story on Lip Service, Smith highlighted how growth can come from reflection rather than avoidance. His willingness to admit mistakes publicly demonstrates a shift from denial to accountability, a message that resonates with anyone navigating love, loss, and self-improvement.
