I Just Can't Wait To Be King

Tearing me down is not taking money out of my pockets

The mic was on, the rent was due, the haters were mad.

I performed as Young Simba during The Lion King's 30th Anniversary concert at the Hollywood Bowl. The amount of people who were so pressed about my casting is sad. The jealousy was out of control. Instead of working on yourselves, you all decided to hate outside the club.

Just know that tearing me down is not taking money out of my pockets.

Get a job!

Let’s be clear. I’ve worked hard to get where I am today. I’m not an overnight success. To imply that I was cast because of nepotism is disrespectful to my talent, work ethic, and resume.

Consider this, my mom had a clothing line at Sears and promoted salads at Carl’s Jr. This woman dated Pete Davidson. Do you really think that’s helping me get my foot in any door? Most of the time I have to pretend I don’t know that woman.

Don’t even get me started on DadYe. Nobu almost canceled my reservation when they saw my last name.

Now, I have the Maliaks book my table under a pseudonym: Angela Bassett.