North West, the daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, sparked a storm of debate online over the weekend when she made her acting debut at the Lion King 30th anniversary concert in Los Angeles, a performance that sparked a wave of criticism from critics.
While some praised the precocious 10-year-old’s role in the live event, others were quick to suggest that she had only landed the role thanks to her famous parents.
Now, people familiar with the project have revealed the truth about North West’s role in it and how she actually managed to land the breakout role of young Simba, confessing that her high-profile family actually influenced her on-stage casting.
According to sources, the young star did not have to “compete against anyone else” for the role, which came as a result of her family’s ties to the production company behind the event, which was held at the Hollywood Bowl last Friday.
North took the stage to perform I Just Can’t Wait To Be King and received a standing ovation from the audience.
North West was able to perform as a young Simba during the Lion King 30th anniversary concert on Friday thanks to his family connection, sources revealed.
However, the performance was quickly trolled online by critics who claimed that North did not display the level of “talent” needed for the role and had only landed the role due to “nepotism.”
A source has since told DailyMail.com that the Kardashian family’s close connection to the event’s producers played a major role in North’s appearance.
“The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl and The Kardashians are produced by the same production company, Fulwell 73 Productions,” the source explained.
“Fulwell’s partner Gabe Turner is also the creative showrunner of The Lion King.”
The source continued: “This was a shoe-in for North and he was told if he could carry a note, the job would be his.”
Fulwell 73 is the production company behind shows like The Kardashians and The Late Late Show With James Corden.
Turner is a partner of James Corden, while the former worked alongside Sally Wood as creative showrunner for The Lion King concert.
The source added that North’s ability to make headlines for her performances was a key factor behind the decision to cast her in the role.
“They were hoping to generate publicity for this, and they did,” the source continued. “But North didn’t have to compete against anyone else and anyone who auditioned wouldn’t have gotten it anyway.”
The source stated, “This is 100 percent the result of his family’s relationship with Disney and Fulwell.”
Another insider said the family planned to feature the moment on the next episode of their reality show, apparently making the performance a win for everyone involved.
A source has since confirmed to DailyMail.com that the Kardashian family’s close connection to the event’s producers, who also work on The Kardashians, played a major role.
A source claimed: “This was a shoe-in for North and he was told if he could carry a note the job would be his.”
“The promise of the moment shown on the show and going and being seen everywhere was also a major selling point for North to be a part of the festivities,” the source said.
‘Like everything the Kardashians do, this was well documented and planned. They have to preserve the brand in some way.”
Although trolls have since criticized the Talking hitmaker for her performance, others have taken to social media to push back against the vitriol.
“North West’s Lion King performance was so cute – she’s a girl, like everyone needs to calm down,” one wrote.
‘Everyone doesn’t like Kim, so they take it out on North?’ Why do people post videos of her acting in The Lion King talking about how much better she would be if she were actually a talented girl? That’s a baby! Why are they being weird?’ asked another.
Someone commented: ‘The world is really very cruel sometimes. North starred in a Hollywood Lion King play and they’re tearing that girl apart on the internet. She is a girl….’
Meanwhile, the second source explained that North was very passionate about pursuing her interests in acting and music, and that her parents were united in their goal to make that happen.
“North wants to do music, theater, television, film and all kinds of entertainment,” the source explained.
Kim and Kanye’s eldest son, who also attended the concert, confidently took the Hollywood Bowl stage to perform I Just Can’t Wait To Be King.
However, he has been the victim of brutal online trolling since his performance on Friday.
“So every opportunity she gets or is given is part of the plan for her to take over Hollywood, as crazy as it may seem, it’s something that Kim and Kanye can agree on and will help her get it at all times.” . possible opportunities.”
North may have a way to go before winning over some critics after social media users on X (formerly known as Twitter) didn’t hold back in sharing their thoughts on the young star’s abilities.
One noted: “Nepotism is literally the best thing you can be born with,” while another added: “Worst case of nepo I’ve ever witnessed.”
Another wrote: “Nepotism and the synonym next to it is KARDASHIANS,” followed by laughing face emojis.
“Nepotism is crazy lol,” one wrote. “Someone else’s most talented kid, probably trained in voice and dance, didn’t get it because his family isn’t famous enough.”
Someone else wrote: “She looks great and seems like she’s having a lot of fun, but I’m definitely not going to overlook the fact that we all know she wouldn’t be there if it weren’t her parents.” This is classism at its finest!’
Meanwhile, another source explained that North is currently passionate about pursuing her interests in acting and music.
The 10-year-old joined other stars on stage, including Jennifer Hudson, Billy Eichner and Jeremy Irons; seen with Hudson on stage (left) and after the performance (right)
Another chimed in: ‘Oh man… I feel bad for the kids there who are really talented and could have pulled this off.
“I’m sure his mother’s influence (or money) is the only reason he got this lead/singing role.”
One also shared: ‘I don’t like the fact that she got this solely because of her mom or dad.
‘There is a really talented kid who should have been given this opportunity. And no, I’m not a hater, I actually like the “Kardashians.”
It’s unclear if North went through a standard audition process. DailyMail.com has contacted a spokesperson for Kardashian and representatives for Fulwell 73 Productions for comment.
The live concert to film It ran for two nights on May 24 and 25.
Tickets for the 17,500-seat Hollywood Bowl concert started at $60.
North joined other stars on stage including Jennifer Hudson, Billy Eichner, Bradley Gibson, Ernie Sabella, Jason Weaver, Jeremy Irons and also Nathan Lane.
Kanye was present at the concert to support his daughter, as well as Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian and her husband, Travis Barker.
North also flashed a cheerful smile while standing next to Jason Weaver, who was the singing voice of pup Simba in the 1994 animated film, for a memorable photo.
Kim also cheered North on from backstage, sharing photos on her Instagram Stories from her daughter’s dressing room.
The SKIMS founder later uploaded a clip of herself watching the concert with her six-year-old daughter, Chicago, resting on her lap.
North’s acting debut came after she announced her first album Elementary School Dropout in March, a nod to her father’s 2004 debut, The College Dropout.
The preteen also appeared on Vultures 1’s ‘Talking / Once Again,’ Ye’s collaborative album with Ty Dolla $ign.
The song made North one of the youngest artists to appear on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at No. 30 in February.
Although she made her acting debut Friday night at the Hollywood Bowl, North is no stranger to the stage thanks to her collaborations with her father.
He repeatedly performed live with Kanye during several Vultures 1 album release events, including in Miami in December and Paris in February.