Topics: Celebrity, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Social Media, Kourtney Kardashian, Travis Barker
North West’s recent performance in The Lion King stage show has divided social media and sparked conversations regarding nepotism.
Last week on May 24 and 25, the daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye 'Ye' West made her acting debut to celebrate 30 years of Disney’s The Lion King.
During the live-to-film concert event at The Hollywood Bowl, the 10-year-old appeared on stage as young Simba.
North performed a rendition of 'I Just Can’t Wait to be King', which earned her praise from the original singing voice of young Simba himself, Jason Weaver.
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As well as receiving support from the 44-year-old actor, the young star’s parents Kim, 43, and Ye, 46, were at the event alongside her aunt Kourtney Kardashian, 45, and uncle Travis Barker, 48.
The child’s debut in The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl earned her a standing ovation from the crowd - but not everyone online was as impressed.
After catching fan-shot footage of the show, users of X (formerly known as Twitter) have taken to the platform to discuss nepotism - which is when a young person with powerful and influential family members or friends gets opportunities others would usually only get through good luck or hard work.
One wrote: “North West in the Lion King play was definitely a decision.”
A second said: “I love all this conversation happening on the internet about North West’s parents buying her that Lion King part at the Hollywood Bowl. Nepotism at its finest. So many other talented kids deserved that role.”
“North West ain’t no Lion King, don’t matter who your mommy and daddy are,” typed another. “SMH why. Just why.”
However, not everyone agreed, with one user writing: “She look like she is having a wonderful time. That is all that matters.”
“North West did an amazing performance at the Lion King 30th Anniversary especially for ten years old,” said a second. “All you haters should back off. #kanyewest #kimkadashian."
A third commented: “A lot of yall are being very weird about North West being in the Lion King as if you don’t know that this is how nepotism works.
“Like we all know there are talented kids who deserved to be Simba but yall bullying a literal kid is just not it. Touch some grass I urge you”
Following social media’s divide over the cameo, Weaver broke his silence and pledged his support to the eldest West child.
Taking to Instagram on Saturday (May 25), the 44-year-old wrote: “What an honor it is to share the same stage with this young superstar in the making.
“I’m so PROUD you, North!! You’re doing a such PHENOMENAL job in this show!”
During the anniversary celebration, North also shared the stage with the likes of EGOT-winner Jennifer Hudson and Scar voice actor Jeremy Irons.
Disney's The Lion King 30th Anniversary – A Live-to-Film Concert Event will air on Disney+ at a later date.
UNILAD has contacted Kim Kardashian’s representatives for further comment.
