It has been well over two decades since the last episode of Smart Guy aired. 

Still, to this day, fans have not stopped questioning: Does Essence Atkins have a twin sister? 

In their defense, the situations under which these questions, and the subsequent rumors, were brewed, were almost convincing.

 And if you don't know where it all started, fret not, that's what we're here for. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Essence Atkins (@essence_says)

Essence Atkins's Twin Sister Rumors

Back in 1997, Atkins starred in a sitcom, Smart Guy, that ran for three seasons. The show centered around a 10-year-old T.J. Henderson, played by Tahj Mowry, who was a genius struggling to fit into a world of adults. 

In the show, Atkins played Tahj's sister. 

It is also to be taken into consideration that Tahj has twin sisters outside of the show, in real life—Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Tamera Mowry-Housley. 

Before addressing the twin rumors, please check out these photos. 

Essence Atkins (Left) & Tamera Mowry-Housley (Right)

Essence Atkins (Left) & Tamera Mowry-Housley (Right) (Source: Atkins & Mowry-Housley's Instagram)

Essence Atkins Does Not Have a Twin Sister

The woman on the left is Atkins, and the woman on the right is Tahj's sister, Tamera. So it is sort of understandable how fans might confuse Atkins for one of Tahj's real siblings. 

That being said, Atkins is not really one of the Mowry twins. 

During an interview with aalbc.com, the actress explicitly confirmed that she wasn't related to Tahj's siblings in any way.

She said, 

Let's clarify that, and that I'm not related to Tia or Tamera [Mowry]. I did play their real brother's [Tahj Mowry] sister on Smart Guy, but there's no relation.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Essence Atkins (@essence_says)

Essence Atkins & Tahj Mowry Sharing a Screen Again

Over two decades after Smart Guy was last aired, Atkins will be joining hands with her rumored brother, Tahj, for a new ABC series, Black Don't Crack. 

As per Just Jared Jr., the show will be centered around three former sorority sisters who lost touch after college.

After a series of events, the trio finds themselves in one another's company at a pivotal point in their lives. 

Going through life, they all realize that sometimes it was okay to crack, and when that happens, your friends would always have your back. 

Atkins will be playing one of the sorority sisters. As for Tahj, he'll be playing Khalil Grant, the on-screen son of Sherri Shepard.Â