North West’s Lion King Performance: Kim Kardashian Slams Nepotism Backlash
“I already know what’s about to come,” Kardashian explained in the episode. “You know, that she’s not Whitney Houston. Duh. ‘Oh, she got the job because of her parents.’ North is the moment. They want to see North West on a TikTok, on a this, on a anything, because she’s a personality, a performer.”
Kardashian explicitly stated that she would not accept negativity toward her child. “And if anybody wants to hate on a kid that is living their best life, (expletive) you!” she said.
Albeit North West’s enthusiasm and devotion, social media reacted with divergence. While others praised her in enthusiasm, criticism came from elsewhere that her work was not properly polished for that level of mainstream exposure.
Another critic wrote, “Shame on the parents… this was more for them than her.”
Kardashian explained on the show that she was not keen on letting North take part in the competition at first. Although she was certain that her daughter was a natural performer, she also realized that North would be under immense scrutiny.
“North is extremely comfortable performing, but she’s not a singer,” Kardashian said. “She does rap, and she’s performed on a stage with her dad, certainly. But as a mom, putting her kid on a pedestal for a lot of criticism, it’s something to really, really, really consider.”
The Skims founder even joked, “I really wasn’t planning on being a momager for, like, another 10 years.”
Eventually, she decided to back North’s decision to perform. “It’s something that she really wants to do, and I do believe in her and believe that she can do it,” Kardashian stated.
The episode also provided a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how North West rehearsed for her Lion King performance. With only four days of rehearsal time, North rehearsed with a vocal coach to perfect her performance.
Kardashian proudly recorded North’s rehearsals on her phone, expressing admiration for her daughter’s dedication. “I’m so proud of how prepared she is for this concert,” Kardashian said. “She did such a great job, and anyone that is hating on a kid is just a hater.”
The North West’s Lion King performance controversy is one of a broader debate on nepotism in the entertainment world. Celebrities’ children tend to have both benefits and drawbacks—reaping opportunities because of their parents while also experiencing increased scrutiny.
Kardashian recognized that North profits from her celebrity lineage but highlighted the fact that she also naturally has a desire for performing. “She’s not there to be Mariah Carey,” Kardashian said. “She’s a performer, and she loves what she’s doing.”
This is not the first time North has been in the limelight. She has previously rapped on stage with her father, Kanye West, at his Yeezy fashion shows and has also flaunted her rap skills on social media. Kardashian has stated that she wishes to support North’s aspirations while shielding her from unwanted public attention.
Although the response to North West’s Lion King performance was divided, it is clear that she had a good time and worked on her preparation. Kardashian’s robust response to the backlash indicates that she is devoted to standing up for her daughter’s right to pursue her interests without undue prejudice.
For North, this performance was another step into the entertainment world. Whether she continues on this path remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Kim Kardashian will always be in her corner, ready to fight back against the critics.
Regardless of the nepotism controversy, North’s stage presence and confidence were unquestionable. Regardless of whether one believes that she deserved the part or not, North’s appearance in The Lion King anniversary concert has once again thrust the Kardashian-West family back into the limelight, making it clear that North is actually a star in her own right.
