The Lion King’s Young Simba is nominated for Young Artist Award
Alphonso Romero Jones II, Trenton native is nominated for Young Artist Award for his role as the young Simba in “The Lion King,” which is based on the Disney movie of the same name.
Since October 2009, Jones has basked in Broadway’s glow as the star of “The Lion King.” The young star is up for “Best Performance in Live Theater” in the 32nd Annual Young Artist Awards. The ceremony will be held at the Empire Ballroom of the Sportsmen’s Lodge Hotel in Studio City, Calif., on Sunday.
“I didn’t even know about it until my mom was searching on the internet and found out I was nominated,” said Jones, a 12-year-old sixth-grade student at P.J. Hill Elementary School in Trenton. “I have no words, it’s really amazing.”
Also nominated for the award are Quinton Lopez of “Sick”; Adam Riegler, “The Addams Family”; and Marquis Kofi Rodriguez, who portrayed Simba in “The Lion King” before Jones got the role.
The nominees at the ceremony, best described as an Oscar-type celebration of young performers, reads like a who’s who of popular film and television celebrities. Jones, who will rub shoulders with them all, is no small potato himself. During his Broadway run, which will conclude on Easter Sunday, he held court with singer Rhianna and film star Matt Damon.
Since Jones’ contract is coming to a conclusion due to his age, the young actor said he is excited to see what the future has in store for him.
“I want to do television, voiceovers and movies,” he said. “I would like to do animated voiceovers. That’s what I really want to do.”
Until then, he will maintain his schedule of splitting his time between train rides to New York City and his studies at P.J. Hill, where he maintains a straight-A average. “It’s hard,” he said. “But you got to do what you got to do if you want to do what you want.”
Lion King is currently playing on tour in Schenectady, NY through March 20, 2011. Save $10 on Lion King Proctors Theatre Ticket Orders over $350. Use Code AFF$10
