‘Lion King’ Star Imani Smith Fatally Stabbed; Boyfriend Charged

New Delhi, December 25, 2025: The Broadway community is in mourning following the tragic death of Imani Dia Smith, a former child actress best known for her role as Young Nala in the stage production of Disney’s The Lion King. Smith, 25, was fatally stabbed in New Jersey over the weekend. Her boyfriend has since been arrested and charged in connection with her death.

Details of the Incident

The incident occurred on the morning of Sunday, December 21, 2025. According to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, police in Edison, NJ, responded to a 911 call at approximately 9:18 a.m. reporting a stabbing at a residence on Grove Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers discovered Smith suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was immediately transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where she was tragically pronounced dead.

Arrest and Legal Charges

Authorities have arrested Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, who was identified as Smith’s boyfriend. Prosecutors stated that the two were known to each other and emphasized that the attack “was not a random act of violence.”

Jackson-Small was arrested without incident and faces several serious charges, including:

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

A “Triple-Threat” Talent Remembered

Imani Smith was a rising star from a young age. She performed as Young Nala in the Broadway production of The Lion King from September 2011 to September 2012. Her family and friends described her as a “true triple-threat performer”—someone who could sing, dance, and act with equal brilliance.

In a heartbreaking tribute on a GoFundMe page set up to support the family, her aunt, Kira Helper, wrote:

“Imani had her whole life ahead of her. She was a vivacious, loving, and fiercely talented person… an experience that reflected the joy, creativity, and light she put into the world.”

Legacy and Family

Beyond her professional achievements, Smith was a devoted mother to a three-year-old son. She is also survived by her parents, Monique Rance-Helper (a well-known Broadway hairstylist) and Rawni Helper, as well as two younger siblings.

The family’s fundraiser, which has already raised over $47,000, aims to cover funeral costs, trauma therapy for the family, and the future care of Smith’s young son. The Broadway community and fans worldwide continue to share their condolences as they process the loss of a talent taken far too soon.