Historical clue formulations

• Actress Smith of Fox's "Empire" — 2025-07-20
• Gospel singer ___ Cobbs Leonard — 2023-06-08
• Actress Smith of "Why Did I Get Married?" — 2022-12-02
• ___ Smith, star of Tyler Perry's "For Better or Worse" — 2021-11-11
• ___ Alexander, historical mystery novelist — 2020-11-12
• Woman's nickname that elides "Na" — 2019-06-02