Former Lion King Broadway child star Imani Dia Smith dies aged 25; Boyfriend charged with murder

New Jersey, US: Imani Dia Smith, a former child actor who appeared in ‘The Lion King’ on Broadway, was found dead. She was 25. 

According to a press release issued on December 23 by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Smith was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where she was pronounced dead. Authorities said an investigation was launched immediately after the incident.

Smith was killed by her boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, who was arrested without incident, the prosecutor’s office said. He has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, according to prosecutors.

Smith performed as Young Nala in the long-running Disney stage production between September 2011 and September 2012. The role portrays the childhood version of Nala, who later becomes queen consort of Pride Rock alongside the protgonist Simba.

Smith was the daughter of Monique Rance-Helper, a hairstylist whose work spans both theatre and film. Rance-Helper has styled hair and wigs for ‘The Lion King’ on Broadway and has contributed to several other productions, including ‘A Quiet Place Part II’ (2020), ‘The Irishman’ (2019), the film adaptation of ‘In the Heights’ (2021), and the television series ‘POSE’ (2019-2021).

Smith is survived by her three-year-old son, her parents and two younger siblings. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support her family as they arrange her funeral, care for her young child and face forthcoming legal proceedings, while also supporting their other children.