North West wasn’t feeling the love from social media after singing in a “Lion King” concert last year, and Kim Kardashian is roaring back at critics.
This week’s episode of “The Kardashians” chronicled the Skims founder’s 11-year-old daughter getting ready to perform in a “Lion King” anniversary show, which sparked backlash and allegations of nepotism in May of last year.
Kardashian says in the episode that she anticipated the backlash and tried to shut down the critics before the performance even happened. “I already know what’s coming,” she said. “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.”
“And if anyone wants to hate on a child that is having the time of their lives, (expletive) you!” Kardashian continued.
After West finished her performance, Kardashian said she was “so proud of” her and thought “she killed it.”
“She did such a great job, and anyone that is hating on a kid is just a hater,” she added. “She’s not there to be Mariah Carey.”
West performed at the Hollywood Bowl in May during “Disney’s The Lion King 30th Anniversary – A Live-to-Film Concert Event,” a live show featuring performances of songs from the classic animated film. West, wearing a hoodie and fuzzy headpiece, sang “I Just Can’t Wait to be King.”
Reactions to her performance weren’t kind on social media though, and critics pointed to the casting as an example of nepotism.
“North West would probably be great as the lead in a high school production of ‘The Lion King’ but for a 30th anniversary concert it’s a bit embarrassing,” one X user wrote. “The nepotism was clear, and you could see and hear the lack of rehearsal. Shame on the parents… this was more for them than her.”
Early in Thursday’s episode, Kardashian noted that she was “torn” about whether to allow West to perform because of the scrutiny she would face.
“North is very comfortable performing, but she’s not a singer,” Kardashian said. “She raps, and she’s been on a stage with her dad, for sure. But as a mom, especially putting her child on a platform for a lot of opinions, it’s something to really, really, really think about.”
