Imani Dia Smith, who starred as Young Nala in the Broadway production of “The Lion King,” is survived by a 3-year-old son.

Former *The Lion King *child actress dies at 25, boyfriend charged with murder

Imani Dia Smith, who starred as Young Nala in the Broadway production of "The Lion King," is survived by a 3-year-old son.

By Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

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December 24, 2025 5:43 p.m. ET

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Imani Dia Smith. Credit:

Imani Dia Smith, who starred as Young Nala in the Broadway production of *The Lion King *as a child, has died at the age of 25.

Authorities were dispatched to her Edison, N.J., residence on the morning of Dec. 21 after a call reporting a stabbing, according to a press release issued by prosecutors on Dec. 23. There, they discovered Smith with multiple stab wounds and transferred her to the nearby Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where she was ultimately pronounced deceased.

Smith's boyfriend, 35-year-old Jordan D. Jackson-Small, has been arrested and charged in connection with her death, according to the press release issued on Tuesday by Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan.

Jackson-Small now faces charges of 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.**

Imani Dia Smith.

The press release notes that a preliminary investigation concluded that the alleged killing "was not a random act of violence."

He is currently being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center in North Brunswick, N.J., awaiting the results of a pre-trial detention hearing.********

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Smith's aunt, Kira Helper, set up a GoFundMe to support her family in the wake of her death. (Helper notes her niece's age as 25, while the police report says she was 26.)

"Imani was only 25 years old. 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," Helper wrote. "Imani had her whole life ahead of her. She was a vivacious, loving, and fiercely talented person."

The GoFundMe, per Helper, was organized specifically to aid Smith's parents, Monique Rance-Helper and Rawni Helper, "who are now facing the unimaginable: grieving their daughter while stepping in to raise her young son and support their two other children during this traumatic time." She listed funeral and memorial expenses, trauma therapy for Smith's son and family, legal administrative costs, and care for Smith's "beloved dog, Kuro, among the expenses that funds will go toward.

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The family has raised upwards of $47,000 on a $50,000 goal as of Wednesday.

"Any contribution, no matter the amount, helps lift a small part of the weight our family is carrying. If you are unable to donate, sharing this page and keeping Imani, her son, and our family in your prayers means more than we can express," Helper shared. "Thank you for standing with us during this heartbreaking time.

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