‘Sistas’ actress KJ Smith and ‘All The Queen’s Men’ actor Skyh Black have welcomed their first child together — daughter, Pryde JaNea Black — and they spoke exclusively to People about her planned home birth, which took a frightening turn. Their perfect baby girl arrived on Oct. 4th at 5 p.m., weighing 5lbs, 11 oz., and measuring 19.5 inches.

The couple had hoped for a natural home delivery, but after 48 hours of labor, KJ said things became urgent. “That was the hardest day of my life,” she told People, explaining she felt something was wrong with the baby and called for help. “I just imagined having my baby girl in the pool of water … I was in so much pain. I was in so much agony.”

“Things had not gone [as planned], and it's just a mother's intuition. I was like, 'Something's not right with my baby,' and I just knew that. And so I was like, 'Someone give me my phone!' And knew who to call," KJ said.

When KJ phoned longtime friend and mentor, Tyler Perry, he sprang immediately into action. Perry coordinated the quick transfer to Northside Hospital in Atlanta, helping them secure the room that allowed KJ to receive an epidural and undergo an emergency C-section. KJ said the hospital team “were patient and diligent with me,” and both parents expressed profound gratitude to Perry. 

“I feel as a man, I'll be forever indebted to not just the boss, but the mentor and the close family friend that Tyler has become because I feel he saved my wife and my baby's life,” Skyh said.

"I don't think our midwife was equipped with how she handled my wife's birth," Skyh said. "There were certain things that were done that I personally, as a husband and a father, don't feel that had my wife's best interest at heart."

"I'm a type A person, so I plan everything, you know what I mean? But I was so dead set on a certain outcome, and I just feel so blessed every day because I could have lost my life and I could have lost my baby's life," KJ said.

Now home and healing, the new mom is emotional and filled with joy. She said, “I wake up every day and I'm just like, 'I have a little being that is here.’”

“She looks like a little angel. She's so precious.” Skyh added he’s “definitely wrapped around her finger,” and joked about longer gym workouts because he can’t stop watching her videos.

The happy parents, who wed in 2023, said they’re grateful to family, medical staff, and Perry for their safe birth of their baby girl. The lovely couple is hyper focused on savoring each and every day being with their newest addition. Congratulations to the Blacks!