Archive December 24, 2025

A Broadway child star was fatally stabbed. Imani Dia Smith, 26, was killed at her New Jersey home on Sunday when her body was discovered there.

The actress, who had previously appeared in The Lion King on Broadway, was found dead at home with stab wounds at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.

A man was detained and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the crime, according to a press release from the Middlesex Country Sheriff’s Office. According to the press release, Smith knew the man Jordan Jackson-Small.

Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, of Edison was the subject of an initial investigation led by Detective Kevin Kirsh of the Edison Police Department and Detective Olivia Ankudowicz of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, according to the county sheriff’s office. Additionally, Jackson-Small and Smith already knew each other prior to the incident, making it not a random act of violence.

Jackson-Small was detained without incident and is facing charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. After the results of his Pre-Trial detention hearing, Jackson-Small is awaiting release from custody at Middlesex County Adult Correctional Centre.

They added that anyone with information should call the Edison Police Department or the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office because this was an ongoing investigation.

Finally, they emphasized that Jackson-Small’s accusations are still “all allegations” as of right now. Jackson-Small is presumed innocent until proven guilty, just like all criminal defendants, and the charges against him are “they finished.

Smith played Young Nala in The Lion King from 2011 to 2012 when she passed away. A three-year-old son also survives her. Her aunt started a GoFundMe account to raise money to pay for her son’s funeral expenses after her death. The page has so far raised over $48, 000 out of its $55, 000 goal.

Her aunt claimed that Jackson-Small was Smith’s boyfriend in the GoFundMe description. Imani had her entire life ahead of her, according to Kira Helper, Smith’s aunt. She had a lot of energy, love, and incredible talent. She most famously performed Young Nala on Broadway in Disney’s Lion King, a role that reflected the joy, creativity, and light she gave to the world.

Cruse Bereavement Support is happy to provide free assistance in interpreting your feelings if you have been affected by this story. Click here for their website or call 0808 808 1677.

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After Cruz Beckham’s younger brother claimed the entire family had been blocked by the wannabe chef on social media, Brooklyn Beckham has received criticism from social media users.

5 images to be viewed

Brooklyn Beckham’s disrespect for his family has drawn criticism. The influencer and aspiring chef has recently found himself distanced from the entire Beckham family, and their relationship isn’t improving.

Last weekend, it emerged that his parents, Lady Victoria and Sir David Beckham, had unfollowed the 26-year-old on Instagram. However, it was later confirmed that the truth was far worse. Cruz Beckham, 20, took to his own page and claimed the entire family had been blocked on Instagram.

Brooklyn has now stated that he is “kinda busy.” He was seen walking down the street as Lady Gaga’s mega-hit “Telephone” played over the clip on his TikTok page for his most recent business venture, Cloud 23 Sauce.

5 images to be viewed

5 images to be viewed

Brooklyn chose the song’s parts, which feature the lyrics, “Sorry, I cannot hear you, I’m kinda busy,” instead of the numerous parts that the song could have had. The video, which was shared with the account’s 9313 followers, also featured the lyrics.

But the comment section instantly saw social media users criticising Brooklyn due to his ongoing feud with his family. “There would be no Brooklyn Beckham without the Beckham empire. Fact,” said one.

After doing for you, another person continued, “Blocking your parents is not acceptable; it’s rude and disrespectful.” Another person remarked, “He is cool, but he too may regret blocking his parents and mother.” A fourth person also said, “You only get one mom and one dad, and as you get older you realize how precious time is.

Fifth fan: “Days pass quickly then the years, and you’ve wasted time,” she said. Then you’ll regret it because your siblings won’t want to know you and you can’t buy it back.

5 images to be viewed

5 images to be viewed

Brooklyn made mashed potatoes and roasted a beer-brined chicken in a video that was posted to his Instagram account last weekend. Victoria liked the post, but he blocked his family just a few days later. Cruz responded to rumors that the family had abandoned Brooklyn and said: “NOT TRUE. Never would my parents unfollow their son, according to my parents. Get the facts right, folks. They both woke up blocked, just like I did.

However, according to reports, the Peltz-Beckham family is now hoping that the Beckhams will “leave them alone.” The Beckhams began these “blocking” game stories earlier this year, and they continue, according to a source close to the Daily Mail. It shouldn’t and shouldn’t be a story whether someone follows someone on Instagram or any other platform. Nothing has changed in this unfortunate circumstance.

Brooklyn is being “further away” from his family, according to the source, who claims Cruz is speaking out against the alleged social media blocking. However, a source close to David and Victoria has refuted this claim, saying that his family will always be in constant love with him. They continued, “They will always be there for him, and they always want him to know that.” This fallout has devastated them.

It appears that Brooklyn has blocked them so far, that’s it, this is final. Their final connection was to follow Brooklyn on social media, the source continued to tell the publication.

PR expert Mayah Riaz claims that Brooklyn and Nicola’s move is designed to “silence” their relatives. Mayah told the Mirror: “That is narrative shaping. It positions Brooklyn and Nicola not just as hurt, but as victims of something darker and more deliberate. That is a very specific PR choice.

The “hidden spin” is “victimhood with credibility.” They are trying to change the power dynamic by describing themselves as gaslit. We are justified in our silence, not “we are silent,” but rather that the message is. Why they aren’t engaging directly are the objectives of this kind of briefing. Without having to speak for themselves, it gives them moral support.

Brooklyn and Nicola were last photographed with his parents on Boxing Day last year. Victoria shared a snap on social media of David alongside their three sons, Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz, as well as daughter Harper, 14, and Nicola. “Being together for the holidays makes me so happy,” she said at the time.