Tragedy on Broadway: Former ‘The Lion King’ Child Star Imani Dia Smith Fatally Stabbed at 25

NEW JERSEY — The Broadway community is in mourning following the tragic and senseless death of Imani Dia Smith, a former child star who captured hearts as Young Nala in the global phenomenon The Lion King. Smith, aged 25, was fatally stabbed in her home in Edison, New Jersey, on the morning of Sunday, December 21, 2025.

Local authorities have since arrested her boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder in connection with the slaying. The news has sent shockwaves through the theater world, where Smith was remembered not only for her immense talent but for the “light and joy” she brought to the stage.

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A Fatal Morning in Edison

The incident occurred just days before Christmas. According to a joint press release from Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan, officers responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing at a residence on Grove Avenue at approximately 9:18 a.m.

Upon arrival, first responders discovered Smith suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where she was tragically pronounced deceased.

Investigators quickly determined that the attack was not a random act of violence. “Smith and Jackson-Small knew each other prior to the incident,” the prosecutor’s office stated. Jackson-Small was apprehended without incident and currently faces a litany of serious charges:

• First-degree Murder
• Second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child
• Third-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
• Fourth-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon

He is being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending a pre-trial detention hearing.

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From Pride Rock to Broadway Legacy

Imani Dia Smith’s career was defined by an early and brilliant spark. From September 27, 2011, to September 23, 2012, she starred as Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway. Her performance was lauded for its maturity and vibrant energy, qualities that her family says defined her entire life.

Her aunt, Kira Helper, described her in a heartfelt tribute as a “true triple-threat performer” whose portrayal of the iconic lioness reflected the “joy, creativity, and light she put into the world.”

The arts were a family affair for Smith. Her mother, Monique Rance-Helper, is a distinguished hair and wig stylist who has worked on The Lion King, as well as high-profile productions like In the Heights, Once On This Island, and FX’s POSE. The tragedy has left the tight-knit Broadway backstage community devastated, as many had watched Imani grow from a talented child performer into a devoted mother.

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A Family Left Picking Up the Pieces

Behind the headlines of the “child star” is a grieving family facing an unimaginable reality. Smith is survived by her three-year-old son, who was reportedly present at the home during the time of the incident, leading to the child endangerment charges filed against Jackson-Small.

Smith also leaves behind her parents, Monique Rance-Helper and Rawni Helper, and two younger siblings. Her family is now grappling with the dual burden of mourning a daughter while suddenly stepping in to raise her toddler son.

A GoFundMe campaign has been established by the family to help cover:

• Funeral and memorial expenses.
• Trauma therapy for Smith’s son and siblings.
• Legal and administrative costs as they seek justice.
• Ongoing care for Smith’s son and her beloved dog, Kuro.

“Monique and Rawni are trying to hold their family together—comforting their children, navigating the sudden responsibility to raise their grandson, and finding a way forward while their world has been shattered,” the fundraiser reads.

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A Call to Action Against Intimate Partner Violence

As news of Smith’s death spread, the conversation online quickly turned toward the epidemic of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Fans and former colleagues have flooded social media with tributes, many using the hashtag #JusticeForImani.

“A budding talent has been lost to domestic violence,” noted one industry commentator. “We have to stop burying the lede; this was a senseless act of femicide that has robbed a young boy of his mother.”

The Broadway community is expected to hold a vigil in the coming days to honour Smith’s memory. For now, the lights of the Great White Way seem a little dimmer as they mourn one of their youngest queens.

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