Social media comments are coming for Kim Kardashian and Ye's (Kanye West) daughter, North West, for the apparent nepotism in the casting of the recent "Lion King" performance.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie "Lion King," Disney prepared a special two-day live concert at the Hollywood Bowl to celebrate the movie. This live show will soon be streamed on Disney+ as "The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl."
The awaited theatrical performance featured original cast members like Jeremy Irons and Nathan Lane, along with guest stars Jennifer Hudson and North West.
North West, the daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, performed "I Just Can't Wait to Be King," a moment that quickly gained attention and ignited discussions online.
The Controversial North West 'Lion King' Performance
North West, known for her famous parents, made her debut at the Hollywood Bowl in "Disney's The Lion King 30th Anniversary - A Live-to-Film Concert Event."
The concert showcased live renditions of the movie's iconic songs by cast members from the 1994 original, 2019 remake, and Broadway production.
Introduced by Jason Weaver, the original voice of young Simba, North captivated the audience in a Simba-inspired ensemble by ERL. Her rendition of "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" was energetic, accompanied by lively choreography with animal-themed dancers. Despite the spirited performance, North's involvement sparked a heated debate on social media.
Live clips of North's performance were shared on social media, and netizens quickly made their judgements known.
On TikTok, numerous users have expressed their shock as tapes of other kids who auditioned for the role leaked online. One video that made rounds on the platform is this performance from a young boy singing who auditioned for the same role.
@stan_the_creator1985 also for the additions apparently they said they were looking for " a new unheard voice". #northwest #thesuperbowl #thelionking #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #fypシ #fypシ゚viral #viral #viralvideo #blowthisup #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #kimkardashian ♬ original sound - Stan
Critics on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok accused the event of nepotism, suggesting that North's casting was based more on her parents' fame than her talent.
The backlash intensified as leaked audition tapes of other children vying for the role surfaced online, showcasing performances many deemed more deserving.
Support from 'Lion King' Veterans
Amid the controversy, North received praise from Jason Weaver, who voiced young Simba in the original movie.
Weaver expressed his admiration for North's performance on Instagram, calling her "a young star in the making" and praising her professionalism.
"It was an honor to share the stage with you, North!" Weaver's post read. "You're doing an amazing job in this show, and I can't wait for everyone to see your performance when it airs on @disneyplus! Keep shining!"
Besides the support, her mom, Kim Kardashian, quickly went to Instagram, posting pictures of her daughter in her yellow costume.
The Nepotism Dialogue
The debate surrounding North West's performance reignites discussions about nepotism in the entertainment industry.
As the daughter of influential figures, North's participation raises questions about fairness and opportunities for talented individuals without connections.
While some defend North's right to explore her talents, others argue that her casting exemplifies how celebrity status can overshadow merit.
As anticipation builds for the Disney+ stream of the concert, the conversation on nepotism and the role of celebrity children in entertainment continues to draw attention across social media platforms.
