Disclosed are smoothing phosphors for AC LED lighting that are capable of prolonging the light emission time of an AC LED (or array of AC LEDs) during a ½ cycle response to a, phase change of the alternating current to substantially reduce flicker. The smoothing phoshor of the present teachings comprises a matrix represented by the formula: (1−k−r−v)M·(m−p)X·(n−0.5x−0.5y)Al2O3:(x+p)MnO, ySiO2, kEu, rR, vLi, wherein M is at least one of La2O3, Ce2O3, Gd2O3, Lu2O3, Ba2OF2, Sr2OF2, Ca2OF2, Ba2OCl2, Sr2OCl2, Ca2OCl, BaO, SrO, CaO, or ZnO; provided that when M comprises BaO, SrO, CaO, or ZnO, M does not comprise La2O3, Ce2O3, Gd2O3, Lu2O3, Ba2OF2, Sr2OF2, Ca2OF2, Ba2OCl2, Sr2OCl2, or Ca2OCl2; X is at least one of MgO or ZnO; R is at least one of Sm, Pr, Tb, Dy, Er, or Ho; m=0 to 2; n=4 to 11; x=0.005 to 1; y=0.005 to 1; p=0 to 1; k=0 to 0.2; r=0 to 0.2; and v=0 to 0.2.