Former Child Actress Dies at 25, Boyfriend Charged with Murder

The Broadway world is reeling after the shocking murder of Imani Dia Smith — a rising performer who once brought The Lion King’s Young Nala to life on stage. The 25-year-old actress was found fatally stabbed inside her New Jersey home on December 21, in what police say was a horrifying domestic attack.

Authorities say Smith’s boyfriend, 35-year-old Jordan D. Jackson-Small, has been charged with first-degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child, and multiple weapons offenses. The grisly scene unfolded inside a residence in Edison after a frantic 911 call reported a stabbing. When officers arrived, Smith was found bleeding from multiple wounds and was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital — but it was too late.

Smith’s family and fans are heartbroken. The former Broadway prodigy, remembered for her radiant smile and powerhouse performances, leaves behind a 3-year-old son. A GoFundMe launched by her aunt, Kira Helper, has already raised over $46,000 for funeral costs, trauma therapy, and care for Smith’s young child.

“She had her whole life ahead of her,” Helper wrote on the page. “Imani was a vivacious, loving, and fiercely talented person — a true triple threat who lit up every room she entered.”

Smith’s mother, Monique, a well-known hairstylist for Broadway, film, and TV, has worked on over 25 productions, including Smile and The Housemaid. The devastating loss has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with fellow performers mourning the young star whose career was just beginning to soar.

Between 2011 and 2012, Smith captivated audiences as Young Nala in The Lion King — a role that symbolized the same courage and heart she brought to her real life.

As her loved ones mourn, the GoFundMe continues to climb, with supporters determined to honor her legacy. “We want Imani’s parents to focus on grieving their daughter and caring for her grandson,” the family wrote.

Once a beacon of light on Broadway, Imani Dia Smith’s story has now become one of unimaginable tragedy — a young star’s life cut short in a senseless act of violence that’s left an entire community shattered.