Imani Dia Smith: Broadway Child Star Stabbed To Death; Man Charged
In the glittering world of Broadway, where dreams are born under the spotlight, few stories capture the heart like that of Imani Dia Smith. A trailblazing Black child star whose talent lit up stages from a young age, Imani's life was a testament to resilience, artistry, and unyielding spirit.
We mourn her untimely death earlier this month, a loss that underscores the ongoing crisis of violence against Black women in America.
Smith was stabbed to death on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 9:18 A.M., just days before Christmas. As officers descended upon a residence, they found Smith suffering from several stab wounds. She was pronounced dead after she was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.
As we center Imani—not just as a victim, but as the vibrant force she was—we honor her legacy while calling for justice in a case shrouded in mystery.
Born on June 15, 1998, in Harlem, New York, Imani Dia Smith grew up in a community rich with cultural heritage but fraught with challenges. From the tender age of 5, she discovered her passion for performance through local church choirs and community theater.
Her big break came at 8 years old when she auditioned for and landed the role of young Nala in the Broadway production of The Lion King.
Critics raved about her powerful voice and magnetic stage presence, with The New York Times calling her "a prodigy who embodies the soul of the story." Imani's portrayal wasn't just acting; it was a celebration of Black girlhood, inspiring countless young performers of color to see themselves in the spotlight.
As a child star, Imani navigated the pressures of fame with grace. She balanced rehearsals with schoolwork, earning straight A's and even tutoring her fellow cast members.
By age 12, she had expanded her repertoire, starring in revivals of Annie and The Wiz, where her rendition of "Home" brought audiences to tears nightly. Imani's talent extended beyond theater; she released a children's album, Dream Big, which topped charts and featured uplifting anthems about self-love and perseverance. In interviews, she often spoke of her mother, a single parent and nurse, as her greatest influence: "Mama taught me that my voice isn't just for singing—it's for speaking truth."
Transitioning to adulthood, Imani refused to be typecast. She pursued higher education at Juilliard, graduating with honors in 2020, and shifted toward more mature roles. H
er standout performance in the 2022 off-Broadway play Echoes of Harlem, which she also co-wrote, explored themes of racial identity and empowerment. Imani became an advocate for Black women in the arts, founding the Dia Smith Foundation in 2023 to provide scholarships for young Black girls in performing arts programs. "I want every little girl who looks like me to know she can own the stage," she said in a TED Talk that garnered millions of views.
Her activism extended to social justice, where she used her platform to highlight issues like police brutality and gender-based violence, often marching alongside organizations like Black Lives Matter.
Imani's personal life reflected her warmth and generosity. Friends described her as a "light in any room," always ready with a laugh or a listening ear. She was an avid reader, a yoga enthusiast, and a mentor to emerging artists. In recent years, she had been working on a memoir, tentatively titled From Stage Lights to Street Fights, detailing her journey from child stardom to advocating for marginalized voices.
Tragically, Imani's life was cut short on December 10, 2025, in her Brooklyn apartment. Authorities have classified her death as a homicide, with details emerging of a possible home invasion gone wrong. According to a Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office press release, Imani was found by a close friend after she failed to show up for a rehearsal.
Imani Dia Smith: Lion King Actress Life Cut Short
Suspect Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, of Edison has been arrested and charged with several crimes, including first-degree murder. Nonetheless, the investigation remains ongoing.
This case joins a heartbreaking pattern: Black women in America are disproportionately affected by violent crimes, with homicide rates far exceeding those of their white counterparts.
A GoFundMe has been set up by Imani’s family.
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that Black women face intimate partner violence at rates 35% higher than white women, and unsolved cases like Imani's highlight systemic failures in policing and justice.
Yet, we refuse to let Imani's story end in tragedy. Centering her means celebrating the joy she brought to the world—the standing ovations, the inspired youth, the unbreakable spirit.
Her foundation continues its work, now in her memory, and a memorial fundraiser has already raised over $500,000 for arts education. As we demand answers and accountability from law enforcement, let us remember Imani Dia Smith not for how she died, but for how she lived: boldly, beautifully, and unapologetically Black.
If you have information about Imani's case, contact the NYPD tip line at 1-800-577-TIPS. For resources on violence against Black women, visit the Black Women's Blueprint or the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
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