'Lion King' Actress Shannon Tavarez Dies at 11
Filed under: Celeb Kids, In The News, Health & Safety: Tweens, Celeb News & Interviews
Shannon Tavarez starred as Young Nala in "The Lion King." Credit: Rick Maiman, AP
Doctors were unable to find a match for a bone-marrow transplant, so as an alternative, she received umbilical-cord blood treatment in August. Since leaving 'The Lion King,' Tavarez had undergone extensive chemotherapy and had been staying at a New York City hospital.
Her story drew the attention of numerous celebrities, including Alicia Keys and Rihanna, who led campaigns to find a bone-marrow match for Tavarez.
Tavarez got the role of Young Nala after wowing producers at her first open audition. According to Broadway World, she attended Harlem School of the Arts for vocals and piano and started singing at age 3.
In 'The Lion King,' Young Nala and Young Simba sing the bouncy song 'I Just Can't Wait to Be King.'
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 3)
11-02-2010 @ 8:33PM
Alyssa said...I have been tracking Shannon's story on Playbill.com. I'm so sad to see she lost her battle. I know the lights on Broadway will shine a little dimmer without her.
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12-21-2010 @ 10:49AM
Kear said...What a precious loss, and not just because of her talents, but because all children are so special! They are our future. This highlights that we, as parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, need to do more to change our environment and put our future first. We need to put more focus and money on cancer prevention and not be so shortsighted on just finding cures.
Learn more and watch "A Wake-Up Story", go to: healthychild.org
11-17-2010 @ 10:41AM
Blaiyan said...This is so very sad. I hope she's with GOD now.
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12-10-2010 @ 7:15PM
denise said...thoughts and prayers for the family, especially during the holidays
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12-11-2010 @ 7:03PM
KATE LUTTERODT said...That's OK , HER SWEET VOICE WILL CONTINUE TO BE HEARD IN HEAVEN. THERE IS BROADWAY IN HEAVEN TOO.
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12-12-2010 @ 6:59PM
victorious said...Please: there is NO BROADWAY in Heaven...its enough that GOD has to watch this going on on this earth!
AND: She will not go to heaven, but rest with the rest of the dead until judgment day! Its not fair to spread such lies even if you do not know that they are lies!
I invite you to read the BIBLE and in there you will find the truth: in it it will tell you, that there is no Broadway in heaven! Try to live by this: test what they have told you and find out if what they say is the truth, error or lies (1 Joh.4:1-6) before you pass on the lies of those who do not know better either!
Its not right to say what is not true, for it is written: you shall not lie, not spread them around for it is written: Leviticus 19:11
Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.
Leviticus 19:10-12 (in Context) Leviticus 19 (Whole Chapter)
12-13-2010 @ 2:20PM
SimplyMe said...@victorious....get a life. KATE LUTTERODT has a right to her opinion just like you have a right to yours. If you can't make your comment relevant to the blog then why blog. I guess you spend your days reading the bible and stomping on blogs that don't conformed to your belief....loser.
To the Tavares family....my heart goes out to you in this difficult time. May love and memories carry you forward.
12-13-2010 @ 3:08PM
Trish said...Shame on you. You are a horrible horrible person. The Bible is meant to be a guide, not a weapon used to bludgeon.
YOU are the reason that church attendence is dropping off.
YOU are the reason curious agnostics decide not to read a Bible or attend a worship service.
YOU are responsible for the creation and continuation of religious intolerance which leads to wars.
All I know is, my Jesus is kinder and more loving than your Jesus and I pray in appreciation every single day.
12-14-2010 @ 12:13PM
mark.b.hollingsworth said...victorious: The "God" you believe in and discribe is small-minded, childish, selfish, and cruel. I treat my cats better than your "God" treats humans. Why is he so sensitive and bitter?
12-15-2010 @ 8:27PM
Chris said...victorious: Your whole post is contradictory and hypocritical.
12-16-2010 @ 1:28PM
greenroom1976 said...You are a psychopath and I feel bad for you and your family and friends (if you have any) for having to listen to you spew your ignorance. The audacity of you to think you can speak for what god must be thinking as he watches over us.(victorious) "its enough that GOD has to watch this going on on this earth!" I really want you to understand that you are doing NO GOOD with your judgmental interpretations of regurgitated bible verses. People are not turned off by god. They are turned off by people like you that somehow feel you are gods police. This story was about a beautiful young attress/singer, not about your soap box to preach to someone who was being sweet by giving hope to the girls family and friends. This little girl is god hands, and if he wants to give her broadway in heaven, he has the power to do so and "God only knows" Notice I didnt say God and "victorious" only know. My prayers are with this amazing girls family.
12-17-2010 @ 6:20PM
kayli ann said...And it is not your job "Victorious" to judge those here on Earth. I ask you to look in the mirror and in your own heart and how about YOU read the word of the Lord, and not be a hypocritical loon. We are to not know what Heaven is like until we leave this world. Heaven could be different for each and every one of us, but we shall never know. It is "Christians" like you that make people like me who follow and have a relationship with Jesus Christ look bad. Go do yourself a favor and how about you keep your mouth shut and think about what it is you're about to say. That is why God gave you but one mouth and a pair of ears: to talk half as much as you listen.
My prayers and thoughts go to this young girls' family. Though she is not suffering any longer, and is in Heavenly peace with the Lord, and I bet she is singing lovely songs always.
12-16-2010 @ 6:07PM
Kevin said..."Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing." Psalm 100:1-2
Sure sounds like Broadway to me!
12-17-2010 @ 6:12AM
Lola said...@ Kate Lutterodt: Big smiles :) She is singing all right!
@ Victorious: A comment that is supposed to be loving and comforting and that is made with purest intent.... And you blast it out of the water like that?
Please check the bible and refresh your knowledge on Gods views of Pride and Egotism. When you are done refreshing, get down on your knees and repent please. God won't take offense to people believing that this little girl is happily in his arms and singing in Heaven's Broadway. He will, I believe, take offense to his own sheep using his word against others who are doing nothing more than offering words of comfort.
Where's your head?
12-17-2010 @ 6:56PM
Cammi said...Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
12-18-2010 @ 1:15AM
Saylorscreek said...We see through a glass darkly but someday these things shall be revealed to us, according to Paul... Victorious, you do not have the lockup on knowledge of what will happen after death, No one does right now. So why don;t you follow Jesus, with love and compassion for all, instead of spewing bigoted, ignorant speech when you do not know what will happen? I cannot believe that our God is so petty and unloving as to not rejoice in this girl singing in heaven. ? Her voice came from Him and she from Him and we from Him, Sing on dear Shannon--some times I can hear you from here and count that a gift frim God,.
12-18-2010 @ 9:31PM
terri said...IF YOU KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT THE BIBLE YOU WOULD KNOW THAT BITS AND PIECES WERE LEFT OUT OF THE BOOK...SOOO SHE IS IN HEAVEN..EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN BELIEFS SO IF YOU HAVE NOTHING POSITIVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS PRECIOUS LITTLE GIRL LEAVING THIS EARTH..GET A FREAKING LIFE..CAN'T STAND PPL LIKE YOU WHO HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR TIME OTHER THAN GO ON BLOGS AND TRY TO START CRAP. GO DO SOMETHING BETTER WITH YOUR DAY THAN MAKING A POINT TO ANNOY PPL
12-21-2010 @ 5:19AM
theresa said...YOUR A FREAK, EWW I WISH I COULD SEE YOUR FACE RIGHT NOW SO I COULD SLAP IT. YOU FREAKING WEIRDO..... ON THE OHTER HAND.... May you rest in Peace you sweet child and we thank you for the Beautiful Music you left us. May you sing all you want with the Lord...
12-11-2010 @ 11:49PM
A.G. said...Classless choice of song to post with news of her passing.
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12-12-2010 @ 2:28PM
RS said...Sorry, have to disagree with you. The hope of tomorrow transcends even the loss of today. Especially if you believe you will see your loved ones in Heaven