The stage lights may have dimmed, but Imani Dia Smith’s spirit still shines bright.
A beloved performer and former child actress from The Lion King’s Broadway cast, Imani Dia Smith has passed away at just 26 years old — the victim of a violent tragedy that has shaken both the theater community and those who loved her most.
Authorities in Edison, New Jersey, responded to a 911 call on the morning of December 21, 2025, discovering Smith with fatal stab wounds. She was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival. Prosecutors have charged Smith’s boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson‑Small, 35, with first‑degree murder and additional charges related to weapons possession and child endangerment.
Imani leaves behind her 3‑year‑old son and her devoted parents. She also leaves two younger siblings and a network of family and friends. They describe her as radiant. She was a young woman who carried her light beyond the spotlight and into every space she entered.
Her aunt, Kira Helper, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral costs, therapy for the family, legal proceedings, and continued care for Imani’s child and their family dog.
“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’s story reminds us why the work of protecting, supporting, and uplifting Black women can never be paused. The arts world—and the Black community at large—has lost a light that was just beginning to shine at full strength.
As we grieve, we also recommit: to love deeper, protect stronger, and speak louder for those whose dreams and lives deserved to continue.
Rest in power and infinite peace, Imani Dia Smith. 💜
BLACK LOVE IS LOVE 