The former Labour MP sparked a race row when she described minority communities as "being black or having a funny tinge".
When asked about the comments by Kay Burley on Sky News today, Smith said she "misspoke".
She said: "I never meant to say that. I misspoke really badly, I was very, very tired at that point – I'd had six hours of press engagement and I was very tired.
"I was very tired I misspoke really, really badly and that's not who I am.
"I'm very confident about that it's not who I am and I think anybody who knows me would verify that."
Smith made the gaffe when she was discussing racism in British society on Politics Live on Monday.
I never meant to say that. I misspoke really badly, I was very, very tired at that point
She appeared to say: "It is not just about being black or a funny tin … you know, different – from the BME community."
Labour MP Rupa Huq tore into her for the embarrassing remarks.
Ms Huq said: “They claim their new party is anti racist and modern yet in the same breath describe black, Asian and minority ethnic people as having ‘a funny tinge’."
The MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge was forced into a grovelling apology within hours.
In a statement online she said: "I am very sorry about any offence caused and I am very upset that I misspoke so badly.
"It is not what I am. I am committed to fighting racism wherever I find it in our society."
Smith was one of seven Labour MPs who quit the party over Jeremy Corbyn this week.
They denounced him for not being good enough at dealing with anti-Semitism in Labour.
They are forming a new grouping in the House of Commons called "The Independent Group" – but fell short of creating a whole new political party.
Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Mike Gapes, Gavin Shuker, Chris Leslie and Ann Coffey are also in the group.
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