Latest news with #LeboM
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I Genuinely Can't Watch "The Lion King" The Same Way After Learning These 21 Facts
Arguably the greatest Disney film ever made, The Lion King is not only a timeless classic but also an unforgettable, bold vision that brings us evergreen themes, reminding us all to remember who we are. Magic doesn't happen by magic. Hard work and great decisions bring masterpieces to life. Here are 21 facts about the animated Disney classic The Lion King: the opening scene wasn't originally intended to be the start of the film. That changed when the filmmakers heard the power of the song "The Circle of Life." This is revealed in the "The Making of the Lion King" featurette. unmistakable and unforgettable choir in "The Circle of Life" is what, according to the filmmakers, "found the 'heart' of the film." The African music and choir elements were organized by composer Lebo M, who had previously worked with lead composer Hans Zimmer on past projects. John Phillips / Getty Images, The Wrightwood Group voice actors for Timon and Pumbaa (Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella) originally auditioned for the roles of the hyenas. Their comedic compatibility was so great that the characters Timon and Pumbaa were actually created to add an extra splash of comic relief to an otherwise dark film. And to think, we almost missed out on Disney's most dynamic (and hilarious) duo. voice actor Jim Cummings provided the voice for the hyena, Ed. Cummings claims that he also voiced Scar for the final verse of "Be Prepared." According to Cummings, Irons was having vocal problems during the recording of the song, so Cummings stepped in and offered his vocal range. Gabe Ginsberg / Getty Images, Walt Disney Feature Animation on who you ask, the creators of The Lion King were viewed as the "B-Team" of the studio, while the "A-team" was assigned with the task of creating Pocahontas. The studio saw Pocahontas as a production with higher hopes. It's safe to say they took it personally and created a masterpiece. song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" almost got the ax. Elton John went through dozens of rewrites of the song, but saved his best for last with a finalized song that's considered one of the best love songs in any Disney animated film. Walt Disney Feature Animation, Rick Diamond / Getty Images 7."Hakuna Matata" also almost didn't get included. Elton John was the one who had to advocate for the song. 8.A production research trip to Africa helped the crew bring the animals featured throughout the movie to life. Director Roger Allers, Artistic Supervisor (Story) Brenda Chapman, and Production Designer Chris Sanders all viewed the wildlife in Africa, which really helped them gain a genuine understanding of how the animals interacted. The Wrightwood Group the CGI wildebeest, it all started with a hand-drawn image. The image trickled into a CGI model, which evolved into an army of terrifying wildebeest. Hans Zimmer created the score for Mufasa's death, and he credits the death of his own father, who passed away when he was six, for helping him capture the emotional impact of the score. The film earned an Oscar for Best Score. Frank Weller made all the lion sounds. The genius of animated sound snarled into a trash can to really make the lion roars come to life. was a song titled "The Lion in the Moon," which was cut from an early draft of the film. It was a lullaby sung by Sarabi to young Simba after their run-in with the hyenas. The scene was replaced by Mufasa teaching Simba about the "Great Kings of the Past," which obviously did more for the plot. inspired by Hamlet, The Lion King is technically the first original animated feature film from Walt Disney Feature Animation. Meaning, it was the first film the studio created that wasn't adapted from a pre-existing book, fairy tale, or historical event. Weird, right? is the first Disney character to let one rip on screen. First to cut the cheese. First to pass gas. First to make a stink. You get the idea. Lion King almost wasn' Lion King. One working title was "King of the Jungle." Assuming the lack of, well, jungle in the story, the title was altered to something a little more sensible. Other titles included: King of the Kalahari and, very simply, Lions. than 600 artists and technicians collaborated on The Lion King to bring the final product to life. That's some legendary teamwork right there for a movie about animated animals. the original finale, Scar wasn't eaten by hyenas. The original death involved Scar believing he killed Simba and then catching fire as he burned to death, laughing in seeming victory. And Simba watched him burn. The ending was too dark, and honestly, the theatrical death of Scar feels more appropriate to his character. there is some VCR renaissance in the future, The Lion King will most likely live on forever as the highest-selling VHS tape ever. The movie earned an estimated $520M in VHS sales. Matthew Broderick, who voiced adult Simba, had his singing cut from the film. He was a Tony Award-winning performer, so the choice seemed odd at the time, but musician Joseph Williams sings the final version. You can't argue with the final product, but you have to feel for Broderick. 20.A Nazi propaganda film inspired the "Be Prepared" song. With the way the hyenas march to Scar's singing, it's not a very subtle nod, either. 1994, a devastating earthquake struck the Los Angeles area, where the film was in its final stages of production. This natural disaster delayed production, which was on track for a fall 1993 release, but was ultimately pushed back to summer 1994. What's your favorite thing about The Lion King now that you're older? Comment below! Watch it on Disney+.
The Herald
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald
Lebo M: setting the record straight with facts over fiction
For more than three decades Lebo M, the South African composer and producer behind The Lion King 's iconic sound, has stood as a global symbol of excellence, resilience, and African artistic pride. From the streets of Soweto to the grand stages of Broadway, his voice has moved millions. However, behind the acclaim and accolades lies a personal narrative too often hijacked by fiction and tabloid sensationalism. Let's set the record straight: Lebo M has been married four times. Of the four marriages, only two were legally registered in SA — and yes, there are official certificates from the department of home affairs to prove this. The oft-repeated claim that he has been married 10 times is not only inaccurate, it's an insult. It's a distortion of a person's journey through love, family and growth. 'I'm an artist, a father and a South African,' said Lebo M. 'Like many people, I've experienced love, loss and growth. The ongoing lie about 10 marriages needs to stop. There are four marriage certificates.'
TimesLIVE
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Lebo M: setting the record straight with facts over fiction
For more than three decades Lebo M, the South African composer and producer behind The Lion King 's iconic sound, has stood as a global symbol of excellence, resilience, and African artistic pride. From the streets of Soweto to the grand stages of Broadway, his voice has moved millions. However, behind the acclaim and accolades lies a personal narrative too often hijacked by fiction and tabloid sensationalism. Let's set the record straight: Lebo M has been married four times. Of the four marriages, only two were legally registered in SA — and yes, there are official certificates from the department of home affairs to prove this. The oft-repeated claim that he has been married 10 times is not only inaccurate, it's an insult. It's a distortion of a person's journey through love, family and growth. 'I'm an artist, a father and a South African,' said Lebo M. 'Like many people, I've experienced love, loss and growth. The ongoing lie about 10 marriages needs to stop. There are four marriage certificates.'
The Citizen
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Lord of the Rings strikes again! The Engagement Adventure
Collecting engagement rings like Infinity Stones, Lebo M proves that love never dies. Just when we thought the drama of Piano-Gate had finally hit its last note, millionaire producer and Grammy-winning Lion King maestro, Lebohang 'Lebo M' Morake, is back on the charts, this time with a sparkling ring and a yacht in Dubai. The Return of the King (of Engagements) Yes, folks, the man whose love life rivals the complexity of a telenovela has popped the question again, marking what will be another engagement or walk down the aisle, depending on how you look at it. Move over, Tolkien — there's a new Lord of the Rings in town. Lebo M and his rekindled flame, to FreesTabe born beauty Malefu 'Mel' Ntsala, were all smiles and sea breeze as they posed stylishly on a luxury yacht in Dubai. With Mel flaunting a glittering engagement ring and Lebo M dropping poetic captions, the couple looked every bit the part of Instagram's power pair. 'The day we stop believing in love and possibilities is when we stop dreaming. Very grateful to find my dream come true and begin this new chapter,' wrote Lebo in a heartfelt post. Let's be honest, when your 'new chapter' includes yacht pics, Dubai sunsets, and a diamond ring you can probably see from space, we're all reading with popcorn. ALSO READ: Kelvin Momo releases album amid speculation about his involvement at this year's Redbull Symphonic From breakups to boat trips: the Mel and Lebo M saga Malefu 'Mel' Ntsala. Picture: X The road to this engagement hasn't exactly been a Disney fairytale. Lebo M and Mel were reportedly previously engaged in 2018, but their love ship hit a reef when he decided to marry someone else. That someone was Pretty Samuels, a union that, much like a badly written sequel, ended in a dramatic split just months ago. Piano gate LeboM and ex-wife Pretty Samuels. Picture: X The feud between Grammy-winning composer Lebo M and his ex-wife, Pretty Samuels, has intensified with the mysterious disappearance of a valuable Blüthner grand piano. Lebo M, whose real name is Lebohang Morake, accuses Samuels of stealing and selling the instrument on the black market, which has reignited tensions from their contentious divorce in 2024. The situation escalated on 31 March when Lebo M's associate producer, Khanyi Serakoeng, discovered the piano missing while preparing for an upcoming concert with renowned composer Hans Zimmer at Cape Town's Grand West Arena on 18 April. Fast-forward to 2025, and the producer is now firmly back in Mel's arms and clearly on cloud nine. Or at least on deck nine of a super yacht. ALSO READ: Lebo M divorce latest: 'I fear for my life and that of my children' Many rings to rule them all Lebo M and ex wife Angela. Picture: X If there were awards for Most Determined Romantic, Lebo M would've snatched the Oscar years ago. His resilience in love, despite the public scrutiny, media frenzies, and occasional piano scandals, is both bewildering and oddly inspiring. Past wives include: Viveca Gipson Nandi Ndlovu Angela Ngani-Casara (twice!) Engagements with actress Zoe Mthiyane and others As one fan cheekily put it on X: 'At this point, Lebo M should be giving masterclasses in moving on.' Fans: From cheers to curious side-eyes Social media, of course, has had a field day. While some fans are raising their glasses in support, others are raising eyebrows in disbelief. Yet, amid all the noise, one thing's clear — the man's got a type: smart, classy, and stunningly beautiful. And let's face it, he's got a good jeweller on speed dial.
The South African
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
'Grateful to have fulfilled my dream': Lebo M gets engaged again
Music composer Lebo Morake, popularly known as Lebo M, is preparing to tie the knot once again—this time with his longtime partner, Malefu Ntsala. The Lion King composer proves that he still believes in love despite having been married four times before. He proposed to Malefu over the weekend during a dreamy engagement in Dubai, and the couple shared the exciting news on Instagram. 'The day we stop believing in love and possibilities is the day we stop dreaming. Absolutely grateful to have fulfilled my dream & begin this new chapter with you. Love always,' wrote Lebo. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lebo M Morake (@thereallebo_m) Many flooded the post with congratulatory messages, celebrating the couple on their engagement. Their romance was rekindled after a previous split. According to reports, the pair got engaged in 2020 and called it quits. This is after Lebo went back to his ex-wife Anela Ngani-Casara whom he had married twice. Although ZiMoja reported in 2024 that the couple had rekindled their romance, the acclaimed producer initially denied the claims. This came after he posted a photo on social media showing a woman's feet resting on his lap during a tour in Spain and Portugal, which sparked speculation. When questioned, Lebo M downplayed the photo, insisting it meant nothing and stating: 'I am single and currently enjoying my life.' 'There is nothing there, she is a colleague…Nothing there. If I was back in the dating game, I wouldn't have a problem confirming phela, I've been 'single' since July 2023,' he added. However, a source close to the situation revealed that the woman in the picture is indeed Lebo M's former fiancée. According to the source, the two had previously been engaged but parted ways due to Lebo's continued involvement with his ex-wife, Angela. 'They dated a few years ago and even got engaged but they broke up as Lebo was entertaining his ex-wife Angela. The woman could not take it and broke it off, but there was never bad blood between them. The woman just wanted him to get over his ex,' the source said. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON LEBO'S UPCOMING WEDDING? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
