Maleah Joi Moon

Maleah Joi Moon
Moon at the 77th Tony Awards in 2024
Born (2002-09-23) September 23, 2002 (age 22)
Franklin Township, New Jersey, U.S.
EducationFranklin High School
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active2020–present

Maleah Joi Moon is an American singer and actress, known primarily for her work on the stage. She rose to fame for her role of Ali in Alicia Keys' musical Hell's Kitchen, for which she won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, a Drama Desk Award and a Theatre World Award.[1][2] In 2023, The New York Times listed Moon on its list of 2023 Theater Artists to Watch This Fall.[3]

Life and career

Moon was born and raised in Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey,[4] where she graduated from Franklin High School in 2020.[5] During her studies, she attended theater and singing classes taught by Timothy Walton and Franklin Township.[6] In sixth grade, she played the lead role of Dorothy in the school play The Wizard of Oz.[7]

In 2022, Moon was cast for her first television role in the Disney show Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase.[8][9] In 2023, she portrayed Brook in Marlo Hunter's television film Mystic Christmas, acting alongside Jessy Schram and Chandler Massey.

In 2023, Moon took part in auditions for Alicia Keys' Off-Broadway musical Hell's Kitchen, where she was selected for the lead role of Ali. Her co-stars included Shoshana Bean, Kecia Lewis, Crystal Monee Hall and Brandon Victor Dixon.[10] The musical took place at The Public Theater from November 2023 to January 2024, receiving mostly positive reviews from critics, praising Moon's performance.[11][12] The following year, Moon was confirmed for her role in the Broadway production at the Shubert Theatre.[13] On March 22, 2024, Moon performed the musical's original song "Kaleidoscope" with Alicia Keys and the cast on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[14] For her performance, Moon was nominated for the Lucille Lortel Awards and won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, a Drama Desk Award and a Theatre World Award.[15]

On May 6, 2024, Moon made her Met Gala debut wearing Collina Strada.[16]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2022 Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase Faye Season 2; Ep. 2
2023 Mystic Christmas Brooke TV Movie
2024 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Herself Performance with Alicia Keys

Theatre and musical

Broadway productions

Title Years Role Location Notes
Hell's Kitchen 2024 Ali Shubert Theatre Original stage musical;
Written by Kristoffer Diaz, Directed by Michael Greif, Music by Alicia Keys

Off-Broadway productions

Title Years Role Location Notes
Hell's Kitchen 2024 Ali The Public Theater Stage musical;
Written by Kristoffer Diaz, Directed by Michael Greif, Music by Alicia Keys

Awards and nominations

Date of ceremony Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2024 Lucille Lortel Awards Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical Hell's Kitchen Nominated [17]
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical Won [18]
Theatre World Award Won [19]
2024 Tony Awards Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Won [15]

References

  1. ^ Smyth, Tom (April 23, 2024). "Maleah Joi Moon Takes the Broadway Stage in the Alicia Keys Musical 'Hell's Kitchen'". Hemispheres. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  2. ^ Paulson, Michael (May 8, 2024). "For Her Broadway Debut, She Sings Alicia Keys's Story". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  3. ^ Collins-Hughes, Laura; Soloski, Alexis; Samuel, Brittani; Feng, Rhoda (September 13, 2023). "Four Theater Artists to Watch This Fall". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  4. ^ "N.J. at the 2024 Tony Awards: Winners Maleah Joi Moon, Shaina Taub and more", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, June 17, 2024. Accessed June 17, 2024. "Moon, 21, who grew up in Franklin Township, stars in the show inspired by the life of Alicia Keys, which features Keys’ music and was also nominated for best musical."
  5. ^ Makin, Cheryl. "Maleah Joi Moon shouts out hometown Franklin in winning Tony speech", Courier News, June 17, 2024. Accessed June 17, 2024. "Sunday night was certainly 'shining bright' for Franklin Township's own Maleah Joi Moon.... The Franklin High School 2020 graduate is now the third-youngest Tony winner for 'Best Actress in a Musical,' after Lea Salonga and Liza Minnelli."
  6. ^ Monthly, New Jersey (April 30, 2024). "Broadway's 'Hell's Kitchen' Star Fell in Love With Acting at NJ Public Schools". New Jersey Monthly. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  7. ^ Dixon, Delaina (April 21, 2024). "'Hell's Kitchen' Star Maleah Joi Moon Has Found The Light". Ebony. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  8. ^ Campione, Katie (November 18, 2022). "ABC To Highlight 16 Emerging Actors For 2022 'Television Discovers: Talent Showcase' Virtual Event". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  9. ^ Major, Michael (November 28, 2022). "Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase Actors Revealed". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  10. ^ Vizcaino, Jeffrey (November 3, 2023). "Women on Fire: Shoshana Bean and Maleah Joi Moon Fearlessly Lead the Alicia Keys Musical". Playbill. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  11. ^ Tinubu, Aramide (November 20, 2023). "Hell's Kitchen Review: Alicia Keys Soundtracks a Powerhouse Cast in Vibrant Off Broadway Depiction of Teen Girlhood". Variety. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  12. ^ Vincentelli, Elisabeth (April 21, 2024). "'Hell's Kitchen' Review: Alicia Keys's Musical Finds Its Groove on Broadway". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  13. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (February 26, 2024). "Alicia Keys Musical Hell's Kitchen Finds Full Broadway Cast". Playbill. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  14. ^ Evans, Greg (February 7, 2024). "Broadway Cast Announced For Alicia Keys Musical 'Hell's Kitchen'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Huston, Caitlin (April 30, 2024). "'Stereophonic,' Alicia Keys' 'Hell's Kitchen' Lead Tony Award Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  16. ^ Losgar, Maxwell (May 7, 2024). "Tony Nominee Maleah Joi Moon Went Full-on Floral for Her First Met Gala". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  17. ^ Russo, Gillian (2024-04-04). "2024 Lucille Lortel Award nominations announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  18. ^ Rosky, Nicole (April 29, 2024). "2024 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  19. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan. "Cole Escola, Meleah Joi Moon, Rachel McAdams, More Win 2024 Theatre World Awards". Playbill. Retrieved June 2, 2024.