North West, the daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, made her acting debut at The Lion King's 30th anniversary concert in Los Angeles, sparking significant online debate and accusations of nepotism.
While some praised her performance, others argued that she only secured the role due to her famous parents and their connections to the production company.
As reported by Daily Mail, the concert took place on May 24th and 25th at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. North played Young Simba and performed "I Just Can't Wait To Be King." Her performance earned a standing ovation from the audience.
Critics claimed North's role was due to nepotism and her family's high-profile connections. Insiders confirmed that North did not compete for the role, attributing her casting to her family's relationships with Fulwell 73 Productions.
Fulwell 73 Productions, which also produces The Kardashians and The Late Late Show With James Corden, was involved in the concert's production. Gabe Turner, a partner in Fulwell 73, served as the creative showrunner for The Lion King concert.
An insider revealed, "The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl and The Kardashians are both produced by the same production company, Fulwell 73 Productions." The source added that Gabe Turner was a major influence in North securing the role, stating: "This was a shoe-in for North, and she was told that if she can carry a note, the gig is hers."
The decision to cast North was also seen as a strategy to draw publicity. "They were hoping to draw publicity for this, which they did," the insider explained. The event was planned to be featured in an upcoming episode of The Kardashians, further cementing the connection between the concert and the reality show.
While some praised North's performance, others were critical. "But North didn't have to compete against anyone else, and anyone else who would have auditioned would have not gotten it anyways," one insider remarked. Another added, "This is 100 percent the result of her family's relationship with Disney and Fulwell."
The presence of the Kardashians at the concert, including Kanye West, Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Travis Barker, and Kim Kardashian, added to the spectacle. The promise of the moment being featured on their show was also a major factor in North's participation.
The backlash online was swift and intense. "North West's Lion King performance was so cute - she's a child, like y'all need to calm down," one supporter wrote.
Another questioned the harsh criticism, asking, "Y'all don't like Kim, so y'all take it out on North? Why are people posting videos of her Lion King performance talking about how much better it would be if it was actually a talented kid??? That's a baby! Why are y'all being weird?"
Others pointed out the cruelty of the backlash. "The world is really so cruel sometimes. North performed for some Hollywood Lion King play, and they are ripping that little girl apart online. She is a child...."
North West's debut in The Lion King's 30th anniversary concert has sparked significant debate. Some praised her performance, but accusations of nepotism clouded her achievement. The connections between her family and the production company Fulwell 73 Productions played a crucial role in her casting, leading to a mix of backlash and support from the public. Despite the controversy, North's future in the entertainment industry seems promising, with plans to explore various avenues in music, stage, TV, and film.
