Former ‘Lion King’ Child Star Imani Smith Dies at 26 After Stabbing in New Jersey
Former Broadway child actress Imani Smith, who played Young Nala in The Lion King, died at 26 after a stabbing in Edison, New Jersey.
Former Broadway child actress Imani Smith, best known for portraying Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King, has died at the age of 26 after a fatal stabbing at a home in Edison, New Jersey, authorities confirmed.
According to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, police responded to a 911 call at 9:18 a.m. on December 21 at a residence on Grove Avenue. Officers found Smith suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead despite lifesaving efforts.
Smith’s boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, was arrested without incident and 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. Authorities confirmed that Smith and Jackson-Small were known to each other and stated the incident was not a random act of violence. Jackson-Small is currently being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending further court proceedings.
Imani Smith, also known as Imani Dia Smith in some reports, performed as Young Nala on Broadway from 2011 to 2012, according to Playbill records cited in tributes from the theater community. Her performance as a child actor left a lasting impression on audiences and fellow performers alike.
Smith leaves behind her 3-year-old son, her parents Monique Rance-Helper and Rawni Helper, her aunt, and two younger siblings. In the wake of her death, her aunt Kira Helper launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the family and her young child. The fundraiser described Smith as a “vivacious, loving and fiercely talented” triple-threat performer whose creativity and joy brightened every space she entered. As of December 25, the campaign had raised more than $60,000.
The tragic killing has sparked an outpouring of grief across the Broadway and theater communities, with fans and former colleagues mourning the loss of a promising talent whose life was cut short. Authorities have not released a motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.
