Kim Kardashian was ready to receive backlash about her daughter North West's performance as Simba in The Lion King concert at the Hollywood Bowl last year and recently clapped back at haters for how they reacted to the child's musical theatre debut.
According to E!News, the SKIMS founder addressed criticism of North's May 2024 performance in the latest episode of The Kardashians, revealing in a confessional that she already knew what was coming.
"She’s not Whitney Houston. Duh," Kardashian directed at viewers who expected the then 10-year-old's performance to be immaculate. North's rendition of The Lion King classic "I Just Can’t Wait to Be King" was compared to that of her fellow Broadway-level cast mates, and received backlash for not being up to par. To those assuming the child was offered the role "because of her parents," Kim assured:
"North is the moment. They want to see North West on a TikTok, on a this, on an 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, 'F*** you.'"
Despite an influx of criticism, the mother-of-five, who shares children North, 11, Saint, 9, Chicago, 7, and Psalm, 5 with ex-husband Kanye West, was extremely proud of her eldest for doing her best at The Lion King concert.
"It's such a proud moment as a mom to see your child have so much fun and not be nervous at all. She's so proud of herself. She did such a great job. And anyone that is hating on a kid is just a hater—she's not there to be Mariah Carey."
For more on Kim and North's relationship, read: North West Names Fashion Influences & Mom Kim Kardashian Is Not On The List.