Blue Ivy Carter cast in 'Mufasa: The Lion King,' director says Beyoncé and Jay-Z weren’t involved

Director Barry Jenkins confirms Blue Ivy Carter's casting as Kiara in Mufasa Lion King was purely talent-based.

Blue Ivy Carter, 12, shines as the voice of Kiara in Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King, with director Barry Jenkins revealing that her parents, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, had no involvement in securing the role.

 Speaking at the Los Angeles premiere on Dec. 9, Jenkins praised Blue Ivy's voice, which impressed him during her work on the audiobook Hair Love.

"Her parents weren’t involved in her booking this film," Jenkins shared, emphasizing her ability to bring "innocence and the knowingness of a highly evolved child" to the role. In the upcoming prequel, Beyoncé reprises her role as Nala, with Blue Ivy’s Kiara adding a new layer of complexity to the beloved story.

Jenkins described working with Blue Ivy as a delightful experience, applauding her preparedness and work ethic. Her prior experience with Hair Love—an audiobook adapted from the Oscar-winning animated short—further showcased her talent.

The premiere was a family affair, with Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Tina Knowles in attendance to support Blue Ivy’s big moment. An emotional Beyoncé expressed her pride, saying, “Seeing Blue as Kiara and hearing her voice come out of that character — it’s amazing.”

Mufasa: The Lion King releases on Dec. 20, featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda and performances by Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and more. Jenkins, reflecting on the original Lion King, called the opportunity to direct this generation’s iteration a "dream come true."