REVEALED: How Kim Kardashian’s daughter North West REALLY landed coveted role for Lion King anniversary concert as young star’s performance faces furious ‘nepo baby’ backlash

North West, the daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, sparked a firestorm online this weekend when she made her acting debut at The Lion King’s 30th anniversary concert in Los Angeles – a performance that sparked a wave of ‘nepo baby’ provoked reactions from critics.

While some praised the precocious 10-year-old’s role in the live event, others were quick to suggest she only got the role thanks to her famous parents.

Now, insiders familiar with the project have revealed the truth about North West’s role in it – and how she really managed to land the high-profile role of Young Simba, admitting that her high-profile family was indeed behind her casting on stage influenced.

According to sources, the young star did not have to “compete against anyone else” for the role, which came about 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.

However, the performance was quickly promoted online by critics who claimed that North did not display the level of ‘talent’ required for the role and had only been given the role due to ‘nepotism’.

A source has since told DailyMail.com that the Kardashian family’s close relationship with the event’s producers played a major role in North’s appearance.

“The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl and The Kardashians are both produced by the same production company, Fulwell 73 Productions,” the insider said.

“Gabe Turner, partner at Fulwell, is also the creative showrunner for The Lion King.”

The source continued, “This was a shoe-in for North and she was told if she could wear a note, the gig was hers.”

Fulwell 73 is the production company behind shows like The Kardashians and The Late Late Show With James Corden.

Turner is a partner alongside James Corden, while the former worked alongside Sally Wood as creative showrunner on The Lion King concert.

The insider added that North’s ability to make headlines with her performances was a key factor behind the decision to cast her in the role.

“They were hoping to get publicity for this, and that’s what happened,” the source continued. “But North didn’t have to compete against anyone else and anyone who would have auditioned wouldn’t have gotten it anyway.”

The source stated, “This is 100 percent the result of her family’s relationship with Disney and with Fulwell.”

Another insider revealed that the family planned to feature the moment on the upcoming episode of their reality show, seemingly making the appearance a win for everyone involved.

“The promise of the moment to be on the show and seen everywhere was also a major selling point for North being part of the festivities,” the source said.

“Like everything the Kardashians do, this was well documented and planned. They have to keep the brand somehow.”

Although trolls have since criticized the Talking hitmaker for her actions, others have taken to social media to rail against the vitriol.

“North West’s Lion King performance was so cute – she’s a child, like y’all need to calm down,” one person wrote.

“You all don’t like Kim, so you’re all taking it out on North? Why are people posting videos of her Lion King performance and talking about how much better it would be if she was actually a talented kid??? That’s a baby! Why are you all acting weird?’ asked another.

One commented: ‘The world really can be so cruel sometimes. North performed in a Hollywood Lion King play, and they’re tearing that little girl apart online. She’s a child…’

Meanwhile, the second source explained that North was very passionate about pursuing her interests in acting and music, and her parents were united in their goal to make that happen.

“North wants to do music, theater, TV, film and all kinds of other things in entertainment,” the insider said.

“So every chance she gets or gets is all part of the plan for her to take over Hollywood, as crazy as that sounds. It’s one thing Kim and Kanye can agree on and they’re going to help her no matter what. possibilities possible.’

North may still have a long way to go before she wins over some critics after social media users on X (formerly known as Twitter) didn’t hold back when sharing their thoughts on the young star’s abilities.

One commented: ‘Nepotism is literally the best thing you can be born with,’ while another added: ‘Worst case of nepo I’ve seen.’

Another wrote: “Nepotism and the synonym next to it is KARDASHIANS,” followed by laughing face emojis.

“Nepotism is so crazy lol,” one person wrote. “Someone else’s more talented child, probably a voice and dance trained child, didn’t get it because his/her family isn’t famous enough.”

Someone else wrote: ‘She looks great and seems like she’s having a lot of fun, but I’m certainly not ignoring the fact that we all know she wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t who her parents were. This is classism at its best!’

Another said: ‘Aw man…I feel sorry for the kids out there who are really talented and could have achieved this.

“I’m sure her mother’s influence (or money) is the only reason she got this starring/singing role.”

One also said: ‘I don’t like that she got this based solely on her mother or father.

‘There is a boy with real talent who should have been given this opportunity. And no, I’m not a hater, I actually like the ‘Kardashians’.”

It is unclear whether North went through a standard audition process. DailyMail.com has reached out to a Kardashian spokesperson and representatives from Fulwell 73 Productions for comment.

The live-to-film concert event ran two nights on May 24 and May 25.

Tickets for the Hollywood Bowl concert, which seats up to 17,500 people, started at $60.

North joined other stars on stage such as Jennifer Hudson, Billy Eichner, Bradley Gibson, Ernie Sabella, Jason Weaver, Jeremy Irons and also Nathan Lane.

Kanye was at the concert to support his daughter, as well as Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian and her husband, Travis Barker.

Kim also cheered on North backstage, sharing photos on her Instagram Stories from her daughter’s dressing room.

The SKIMS founder later uploaded a video of herself watching the concert with daughter Chicago, six, 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 was also featured on “Talking / Once Again,” from Vultures 1, Ye’s collaborative album with Ty Dolla $ign.

The song made North one of the youngest artists to ever chart on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at No. 30 in February.

Although she made her acting debut at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday night, North is no stranger to the stage, thanks to her collaborations with her father.

She has performed live with Kanye repeatedly at various album release events for Vultures 1, including in Miami in December and Paris in February.