According to official charges, Ms. Smith was killed by her boyfriend, identified as Jordan D. Jackson-Small. He has been charged with murder, endangering the welfare of a child, and multiple weapons-related offenses. Law enforcement officials have not released further details about the circumstances of the killing, but the case is being treated as a homicide and is proceeding through the courts.
Ms. Smith rose to national recognition at a young age after being cast as Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway. She performed in the role from September 27, 2011, to September 23, 2012, during one of the show’s most celebrated runs. Her performance made her part of a generation of child actors who helped sustain the musical’s legacy as one of Broadway’s most successful productions.
She was the daughter of Monique Rance-Helper, a respected hair stylist whose work spans both stage and screen. Ms. Rance-Helper has contributed hair and wig design to The Lion King on Broadway and several other major productions, including Eclipsed, Once On This Island, The Lightning Thief, the film adaptation of In the Heights, and the FX television series POSE. Members of the theater community have noted the family’s deep roots in the performing arts.
Ms. Smith is survived by her three-year-old son, her parents, and two younger siblings. In the wake of her death, a GoFundMe campaign has been organized to assist her mother, Ms. Rance-Helper, and her father, Rawni Helper, as they prepare for funeral arrangements, take on the responsibility of raising Ms. Smith’s young son, and navigate the legal proceedings related to the case, while continuing to support their other children.
The death of Imani Dia Smith has reverberated beyond Broadway, drawing attention to issues of domestic violence and the lasting vulnerability faced by young performers after leaving the spotlight. As the criminal case unfolds, her passing stands as a stark reminder of the human cost behind headline-making tragedies and the enduring impact on families and communities left behind.
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