A lawsuit filed during the performance

Stand-up comedian Learnmore Jonasi is making headlines by revealing the moment a lawsuit was thrown on stage during a performance at LA's 'Laugh Factory'. Lebo M (real name Lebohang Morake), who composed the opening song 'Circle of Life' for the Disney film 'The Lion King', filed a lawsuit against Jonasi for damages worth 27 million dollars (about 36 billion won).

In the released video, Jonash looked embarrassed as he was finishing a joke when a brown envelope flew onto the stage, shouting, "Oh my gosh, I just got sued." He later explained to the audience that the lawsuit was related to his 'Lion King' joke, drawing laughter.

Conflict that started from a dispute over the interpretation of Zulu

The incident began last month when Jonasi appeared on African media outlet One54 Africa and claimed that the opening chant of 'Circle of Life' means in Zulu, "Look, there's a lion. Oh my god, it's a lion." When this video went viral on social media, Lebo M, who composed and sang the chant, immediately launched a rebuttal.

Lebo M explained that the chant was a royal hymn saying "bow to the king, we all bow before the king," and criticized Jonash as an "arrogant, clumsy comedian." Jonasi stated that he likes Lebo M's work without giving up his position, but the conflict escalated into a legal dispute.

Comedians fighting back with goods and crowdfunding

Jonash is taking advantage of this situation by producing and selling T-shirts and hoodies with an animated image of himself lifting a lion and the phrase, "Look, it's the lawsuit. Oh my god." “If you buy this merchandise, you can really help me with my legal fees,” he said.

They also started fundraising by setting up a GoFundMe page, and have currently raised more than $16,000 out of the $20,000 goal. Jonasi said, "I was sued for $27 million because of a joke about the Zulu chant in the opening of The Lion King. What started out as humor turned into a devastating legal battle. Please help me protect my livelihood against this unjust lawsuit."

Social media reaction

Online, praise is pouring in for Jonash's response to turning a crisis into humor. One follower wrote, "You did such a great job. This is going to be legendary," while another user burst out laughing at his joke: "I'm a real American now. I got a gluten allergy, I have anxiety, and I got sued." Some netizens are parodying this situation with the phrase, "Look, it's the lawsuit. Oh my god."