Darian Sanders is a singer, songwriter, performer, speaker, and now author. And for the past five years, he has traveled the country with Disney's the Lion King, spending the last three of those years in the iconic role of Simba. Prior to his Broadway success, Darian graced the stage in regional theaters, playing monumental roles like Jesus ,in "Jesus Christ Superstar," and Joseph, in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." But when Darian is not performing, he leads worship across the country, and cherishes time with his wife Jess and his son Titus. The curtain came down on his last performance of the Lion King on September 22, 2024, in Greenville, SC. Now, Darian has written a new book about his journey from Bluegrass to Broadway, titled “Don't fear your Roar.”
Darian: "It's, my memoir. I'm from Kentucky, which is the great bluegrass state. So, we've coined it, my story from the Bluegrass all the way to Broadway. When I was in LA for eight weeks with The Lion King a few years back, one of my buddies, who I've known since kindergarten said, “Hey, you need to put that into a book because people need to hear and see that.”
Born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Darian grew up in a musically gifted, Christian household. One of eight children, he says it influenced who he is as an artist today.
Darian: "Every single one of my siblings played an instrument in school, and we were all a part of the band in some shape or form. And so when I was in fourth grade, I decided that I wanted to play the trumpet and I wanted to pursue music education. And so, I went to a garage sale, bought a trumpet for a hundred dollars. And that's what started my musical journey and my musical career."
Crystal: Tell us about your first theater experience. When did it happen?
Darian: "I was singing the National anthem at a basketball game in Kentucky. It was a huge rivalry game between the University of Kentucky and U of L. My now manager, happened to be in the audience. When she returned to New York, she shared with her client, who happened to be Matilda on Broadway, about me. She started to describe me, and Matilda and her mom said, “You're talking about Darian. He's the worship pastor at our church!” They connected us, and my manager asked me, “Have you ever thought about doing theater?” I said, I don't dance, I don't act. I only sing in church, and I'm not trained. And she's said, “That's fine, because when I saw you, you had this spark that I really think the theater needs.”
Crystal: One of your first theater roles was playing Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. How did portraying that role impact you?
Darian: "I didn't realize how much I needed that to be the first role that I was cast in. And how that would shape my heartbeat. Because truly what we do on stage is, we tell stories. And that is the beautiful art of theater. People want to see and experience a story, and they want you to take them to a place. So, what better place to take them than the story of Jesus?”
If you would like to hear the conversation between Crystal Thornton and Darian Sanders listen here:
Crystal: You go from those amazing roles to being cast as Simba in The Lion King. What was that journey like?
Darian: "It started with a prayer. The prayer was, God, I want to be on Broadway. And he took me to Broadway. Broadway, Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky! I then thought. Let me be a little more specific. I would love to be performing on a Broadway stage, In a musical. So, I was in the process of auditioning for Aaron Burr in Hamilton. And my manager asked me to send in a tape for Lion King. I didn't get a call for Aaron Burr, and I didn't get a call for Lion King. So, I ended up taking a job in Louisville, Kentucky. Two years later, my manager called and said, Lion King called and wanted to know would you audition for Simba? And after they cast me, I joined the tour in 2019.”
Crystal: “Rain as king” is chapter 10 of your book. “Don't Fear your Roar.” It’s about stepping into the role of Simba and the responsibility of that, what kind of responsibility?
Darian: "I love what I do. I think what I do is absolutely amazing, but what I do does not make me better than anyone else. When I go to speak to students, I'm going into the schools and saying, 'Any one of you guys can do this.' I never thought that I could do this. And I started this at the age of 33. God had the perfect timing for me. Some people started when they were four years old or they started in preschool in a dance class. But for you, your story can be starting right now in the third grade or the fifth grade or the ninth grade.”
Crystal: Writing the book "Don't Fear Your Roar," was your next chapter. What else are you working on?
Darian: "I'm working on an EP right now. A few songs are acoustic, and then an EP with radio versions of those songs as well."
Crystal: I theater still going to be part of your future?
Darian: "Yes, I’m still planning on doing theater. That's, still where God has called me."
Crystal: Is there anything else you would like to say to our listeners and to those that are reading this article about you?
Darian: "Can I just say; One, God is so good. Continue to trust in him. And two; realize and understand that you are uniquely made, and the God of the universe made specifically every single portion and aspect of who you are, and this world needs you. And you can't try to be anybody else because guess what? The world needs exactly who God has called you and made you to be."
If you would like to follow Darien Sanders, you can do so @dariensanders.com or @_darionsanders_ on Instagram.