Jason Weaver has a lot to be thankful for this year! The actor/singer recently took to Instagram to express his gratitude after his hit song from The Lion King, “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” went double-platinum.
Weaver played the singing voice of Young Simba in the now iconic Disney movie. He was famously offered $2 million upfront for his role, but his mother encouraged him to instead opt for a $100,000 check and a lifetime of royalties. “She was able to see the playing field and go, ‘Wait a minute, this is going to make a lot of money over time. So, what happens when my son turns 40. Is he still going to be able to get a check from this when they eventually re-release this,’” Weaver told reporters.
“I definitely would like to take a moment this morning to THANK MY HEAVENLY FATHER and LORD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST FOR CONTINUING TO BLESS ME AND MY FAMILY 😊🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾💯💯💯💯,” he wrote on Instagram. “30 years later and the platinum plaques from this iconic animated film keep comin in. Wow… God is amazing, man. He is truly worthy to be praised. 💯💯💯💯 I would also like to express to everyone just how APPRECIATIVE I am for all of the love that I’ve been able to receive over the years from fans around the world who absolutely love The Lion King.”
He continued, “Thank yall so much for the love and support! 😁🙏🏾✌🏾❤️ I definitely would also like to thank @disney, Sir Elton John and Tim Rice for giving a kid from Chicago a shot to be a part of cinematic history. THANK Y’ALL!! 😁🙏🏾💯 Lastly, but most importantly… I WANT TO THANK MY MOTHER @marilynhaywood16 for EVERYTHING she’s done to help steer me in the right direction throughout the course of my life, as well as throughout my career. I share all of these accomplishments with her, because I wouldn’t have been able to achieve ANY of it had it not been for the hard work she put in, and the sacrifices that she made so that I could live out my dream. I LOVE YOU, MA!! THANK YOU!! We’re double platinum 30 years later, mane!! 😂🙏🏾🙌🏾👊🏾💯💯💯❤️❤️❤️”
(Cover photo: Jason Weaver/Photo by Jamie Lamor Thompson)