Some jokes can cause more harm to the source than to anyone they offend, and in the case of comedian Learnmore Jonasi, it’s rather painful, because a Disney composer has sued him for $27 million following his Lion King joke. Jonasi, a Pennsylvania-based comedian, was even performing on stage when the lawsuit was served to him.
Learnmore Jonasi, also known as Learnmore Mwanyenyeka, was originally from Zimbabwe, but migrated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, back in 2021. He has since found success as a comedian in the US. Jonasi was reportedly served legal papers while performing on stage, adding a dramatic twist to an already viral controversy. The lawsuit was filed by Grammy-winning South African composer Lebohang Morake, widely known as Lebo M, who created and performed the legendary opening chant in “Circle of Life,” in Lion King.
What caused the dispute is Jonasi’s comedic translation of the chant, delivered during a podcast and later incorporated into his stand-up routine. While performing, Jonasi joked that the Zulu lyrics roughly meant, “Look, there’s a lion. Oh my God,” a line that drew laughs online and earned him a standing ovation at a Los Angeles show.
Lebo M’s lawsuit argues the joke went too far, accusing Jonasi of deliberately misrepresenting a culturally significant piece of African music. According to the complaint, the chant actually carries a deeper meaning tied to royalty and reverence, officially translated as “All hail the king, we all bow in the presence of the king.”
Got Serious Over a Joke
The Disney composer claims the comedian’s remarks damaged his reputation and strained business relationships, including those tied to The Walt Disney Company. The suit seeks more than $20 million in damages, along with an additional $7 million in punitive penalties. Legal filings also argue that Jonasi presented his translation as fact rather than satire, potentially disqualifying it from First Amendment protections typically granted to parody.
Jonasi, who says he is a longtime fan of Morake’s work, has pushed back publicly, calling the lawsuit excessive and using the moment to spark broader conversations about how African culture is portrayed in Western media. However, the comedian also raised a GoFundMe asking for $20,000 to help fight what he claims is an “unjust lawsuit.”
Meanwhile, people online are in disbelief at the legal action, with some even questioning Lebo M’s reaction to the joke. “Seems like overkill for a joke,” as pointed out by one X commenter. “If this is truly over a joke, $27M is ridiculous. But if he presented it as “authoritative translation” and it hurt business, then this is less about being offended and more about reputation + money. Still… serving him ON STAGE is diabolical cinema 😭,” says another commenter.
