Former Lion King Broadway Child Star Imani Smith Dies at 25

Imani Smith, a former Broadway child actor best known for her role in Disney’s The Lion King, has died at the age of 25. Authorities confirmed that Smith was found with stab wounds at a residence in Edison, New Jersey, on December 21.

Police responded to a 911 call around 9:18 a.m. reporting a stabbing. When officers arrived, they discovered Smith critically injured. She was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where doctors later pronounced her dead.

???? Heartbreaking news is being reported today.

Imani Dia Smith — a former Broadway performer who brought joy to audiences as Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King — has tragically passed away at just 25 years old. pic.twitter.com/NKKatA4jxO

— Black Culture News (@blckculturenews) December 25, 2025

Following an investigation, Edison police arrested 35-year-old Jordan D. Jackson-Small without incident. He has been charged with first-degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child, and multiple weapons-related offenses. Officials stated that Smith and Jackson-Small knew each other, and family members later confirmed he was her boyfriend. He is currently being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center.

Imani Dia Smith, former Broadway child actress best known for her role as Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King, has sadly passed away at the age of 25. pic.twitter.com/GwtO1PEsoX

— The DisInsider (@TheDisInsider) December 24, 2025

In a heartfelt message shared through a GoFundMe page created to support the family, Smith’s aunt described her as a vibrant and gifted performer. She wrote that Imani had a bright future ahead of her and was admired for her warmth, talent, and creativity.

Smith performed as Young Nala on Broadway in The Lion King from September 2011 to September 2012, according to Playbill. Her performance at a young age earned praise and marked the beginning of her journey in the performing arts.

Her mother, Monique Rance-Helper, is a respected hairstylist who has worked on major Broadway productions and film projects, including In the Heights and the FX series Pose.

Imani Smith is survived by her 3-year-old son, her parents, and two siblings. The case remains under investigation as the community mourns the tragic loss of a young life taken too soon.