In a heartbreaking loss that has shaken the theater community and beyond, Imani Dia Smith, the talented former child actress who enchanted audiences as Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway, has died at the age of 25. On December 21, 2025, just days before Christmas, Smith was fatally stabbed in her home in Edison, New Jersey. Her boyfriend, 35-year-old Jordan D. Jackson-Small, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder, along with additional charges including second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and weapons offenses. The news, breaking on Christmas Eve 2025, has left fans, family, and the Broadway world reeling from the senseless violence that cut short a life full of promise, joy, and creativity.

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Smith’s radiant smile and vibrant spirit, captured in these photos from her life and memorial tributes, remind us of the light she brought to the world—a light now tragically extinguished.

From Child Prodigy to Broadway Sensation: Imani’s Early Triumph

Imani Dia Smith’s journey into the spotlight began at a tender age, culminating in one of Broadway’s most iconic roles. From September 27, 2011, to September 23, 2012, the then-7-year-old captivated theatergoers as Young Nala in the long-running Disney production of The Lion King at the Minskoff Theatre. In Julie Taymor’s groundbreaking musical adaptation of the beloved 1994 animated film, Young Nala is the spirited cub who befriends Simba, foreshadowing their future romance and embodying themes of courage, friendship, and destiny.

Smith’s performance was a highlight for many audience members, her youthful energy and vocal talent bringing fresh life to songs like “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.” As a “true triple-threat performer”—skilled in singing, dancing, and acting—she embodied the joy and creativity that The Lion King celebrates. The show, with its elaborate puppets, stunning costumes, and African-inspired score by Elton John and Tim Rice, has been a Broadway staple since 1997, winning multiple Tony Awards and becoming a rite of passage for generations of young performers.

Growing up in a creative family deepened Smith’s connection to the arts. Her mother, Monique Rance-Helper, is a respected hair stylist who has worked extensively in theater and film, styling wigs and hair for productions like The Lion King itself, as well as Broadway shows such as Eclipsed, Once on This Island, and The Lightning Thief, and projects including the In the Heights film and FX’s Pose. This familial tie to the industry likely nurtured Imani’s passion, providing her with an insider’s view of the magic behind the curtain.

A Life Beyond the Stage: Motherhood, Family, and Unfulfilled Dreams

After her time on Broadway, Imani Dia Smith stepped away from the intense spotlight of child stardom, choosing a more private path while remaining connected to her artistic roots. Described by loved ones as “vivacious, loving, and fiercely talented,” she embraced adulthood with the same enthusiasm that defined her childhood performances. At 25, Smith was a devoted mother to her 3-year-old son, balancing family life with her ongoing dreams in the performing arts.

She leaves behind her parents, Monique Rance-Helper and Rawni Helper; two younger siblings; her young son; and an extended family that includes her aunt Kira Helper, who has been vocal in sharing the family’s grief. Smith also had a beloved dog named Kuro, a small but poignant reminder of the everyday joys in her life.

Her aunt’s words on a GoFundMe page paint a vivid picture of the woman Imani had become: “Imani had her whole life ahead of her. She was a vivacious, loving and fiercely talented person. A true triple-threat performer, she most notably played the role of Young Nala on Broadway in Disney’s ‘Lion King’—an experience that reflected the joy, creativity, and light she put into the world.”

The fundraiser, which has raised tens of thousands toward its goal, aims to ease the burden on her parents as they grieve, raise her son, support their other children, and navigate legal proceedings. Funds will cover funeral expenses, crime scene cleanup, trauma therapy, and ongoing care—heart-wrenching necessities in the wake of such violence.

The Tragic Events: A Senseless Act of Violence

According to authorities from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and Edison Police Department, police responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing at a home on Grove Avenue in Edison around 9:18 a.m. on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Officers found Smith suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where she was tragically pronounced dead.

The investigation quickly determined that the attack was not random. Smith and Jackson-Small were known to each other, with family confirming he was her boyfriend. On December 23, Jackson-Small was arrested without incident and charged with first-degree murder, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child (indicating a child was present or endangered during the incident), third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.

He is currently held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center awaiting a pre-trial detention hearing. The case remains active, with prosecutors emphasizing the domestic nature of the crime.

In her GoFundMe message, aunt Kira Helper did not mince words: “It is with a tragic and heavy heart that we share the loss of my niece, Imani Dia Smith, who was senselessly killed by her boyfriend on the morning of Sunday, December 21st, just ahead of Christmas.”

This tragedy unfolds against the backdrop of a broader crisis: domestic violence, which claims far too many lives each year, particularly during the holiday season when tensions can escalate. Smith’s story adds to the heartbreaking statistics, highlighting the urgent need for awareness, resources, and prevention.

Outpouring of Grief from the Theater Community and Beyond

News of Smith’s death spread rapidly through Broadway circles and social media, prompting an avalanche of tributes. Former castmates, theater professionals, and fans shared memories of her infectious energy and talent. Playbill, BroadwayWorld, and other outlets led the coverage, emphasizing her lasting impact despite her brief time in the spotlight.

Donations to the GoFundMe poured in, including from notable figures in the industry, reflecting the tight-knit nature of the theater world. Comments on social platforms echoed themes of shock, anger, and sorrow: calls for justice, reflections on gender-based violence, and fond recollections of seeing young Imani perform.

The Broadway community, known for its resilience and support, has rallied around the Helper family. Smith’s mother, with her own deep ties to The Lion King and other productions, represents the intergenerational legacy of Black excellence in the arts—a legacy now marred by profound loss.

A Legacy of Light Amid Darkness

Imani Dia Smith’s life, though brief, was marked by extraordinary moments of brilliance. From gracing one of Broadway’s biggest stages as a child to building a family filled with love, she embodied the themes of The Lion King: the circle of life, the power of courage, and the enduring strength of bonds.

Yet her story ends in unimaginable tragedy, a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by women, particularly in intimate relationships. As the legal process unfolds, her family seeks justice while grappling with grief and the responsibility of raising her young son, who now grows up without his mother’s embrace.

In the words of her aunt: “She leaves behind a 3-year-old son, her parents, her two younger siblings, and an extended family, friends, and community who loved her so very much.”

As the holiday season continues under a shadow for those who knew her, Imani Dia Smith’s spirit lives on—in memories of her performances, in the lives she touched, and in the call for a world where no one fears violence from those closest to them.

The theater world mourns a rising star taken too soon. Rest in power, Imani. The circle of life turns, but your light will not be forgotten.