Imani Dia Smith

Imani Dia Smith (1999 – December 23, 2025) was an American performer and child actress. She known for her role as Young Nala in the musical The Lion King on Broadway.

Early life

Smith was born to Monique Rance-Helper and Rawni Helper and grew up with two younger siblings.

Death

On the morning of December 21, 2025, at 9:18 AM, the Edison Police Department received reports of a stabbing. After arriving at a home in Edison, New Jersey, they found Imani Dia Smith, aged 26, with stab wounds. She was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where she was pronounced dead. Jordan D. Jackson-Small, Smith's boyfriend, was arrested and charged with first-degree [...], 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.

After Smith's death, her aunt, Kira Helper, established a GoFundMe, with a goal of raising $75,000. At the date of her death, Smith had a three-year-old son.

Credits