Comedian Faces $27M Lawsuit Over 'Lion King' Joke

Zimbabwean comic Learnmore Jonasi served with lawsuit during stand-up set, turns it into hilarious bit.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:58am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, minimalist composition of jagged, geometric shapes in bold red and black, conceptually representing the collision of comedy and controversy surrounding a lawsuit over a joke about a famous song.A comedian's quick-witted response to a multi-million dollar lawsuit sparks a debate over the boundaries of humor and free speech.Los Angeles Today

Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi was in the middle of his stand-up routine at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles when he was unexpectedly served with a $27 million lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed by Grammy-winning vocalist Lebohang Morake over a joke Jonasi made about the Zulu chant in the opening of the 'Circle of Life' song from Disney's 'The Lion King'. Despite the legal threat, Jonasi incorporated the lawsuit into his act, earning laughs from the audience and sparking a wider debate about the boundaries of comedy and free speech.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the complex relationship between comedy, free expression, and potential offense. Jonasi's joke, while controversial, has generated renewed interest in the iconic 'Lion King' song and sparked a public discussion about the nuances of language and cultural interpretation. The lawsuit also raises questions about how far comedians can go in their material before facing legal consequences.

The details

During a podcast appearance, Jonasi claimed the Zulu chant 'Nants'ingonyama bagithi Baba' at the start of 'Circle of Life' literally translates to 'Look, there's a lion. Oh my God.' This humorous interpretation allegedly damaged the reputation of Lebohang Morake, the Grammy-winning vocalist who performed the song. While Jonasi's joke was meant in jest, Morake filed a $27 million lawsuit against the comedian, claiming the joke diminished the value and reputation of the iconic song.

  • Jonasi made the joke about the 'Circle of Life' chant on a podcast prior to April 2026.
  • Jonasi was served the $27 million lawsuit while performing a stand-up set at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles in April 2026.

The players

Learnmore Jonasi

A rising Zimbabwean comedian who made a joke about the Zulu chant in 'The Lion King' song 'Circle of Life', leading to a $27 million lawsuit.

Lebohang Morake

A Grammy-winning vocalist who performed the 'Circle of Life' song for the original 'The Lion King' soundtrack and filed a $27 million lawsuit against Jonasi over his joke.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Look, there's a lion. Oh my God.”

— Learnmore Jonasi, Comedian

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow the $27 million lawsuit to proceed against Jonasi over his comedic interpretation of the 'Circle of Life' Zulu chant.

The takeaway

This case highlights the delicate balance between comedy, free speech, and potential offense. While Jonasi's joke may have been controversial, his ability to incorporate the lawsuit into his act and the public's outpouring of support demonstrate the enduring power of humor to defuse tense situations and spark meaningful discussions.