Maleah Joi Moon Explained

Maleah Joi Moon
Birth Place:New Jersey
Education:Franklin High School
Occupation:Actress, singer
Years Active:2020–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 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.

On May 6, 2024, Moon made her Met Gala debut wearing Collina Strada.[15]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2022Disney Television Discovers: Talent ShowcaseFayeSeason 2; Ep. 2
2023Mystic ChristmasBrookeTV Movie
2024The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonHerselfPerformance with Alicia Keys

Theatre and musical

Off-Broadway productions

Awards and nominations

Date of ceremonyAwardCategoryNominee(s)Result
2024Lucille Lortel AwardsOutstanding Lead Performer in a MusicalHell's Kitchen[16]
Drama Desk AwardsOutstanding Lead Performance in a Musical[17]
Theatre World Award[18]
2024Tony AwardsBest Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical[19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Smyth . Tom . April 23, 2024 . Maleah Joi Moon Takes the Broadway Stage in the Alicia Keys Musical ‘Hell’s Kitchen' . April 30, 2024 . Hemispheres.
  2. News: Paulson . Michael . May 8, 2024 . For Her Broadway Debut, She Sings Alicia Keys’s Story . June 10, 2024 . . 0362-4331.
  3. News: Collins-Hughes . Laura . Soloski . Alexis . Samuel . Brittani . Feng . Rhoda . September 13, 2023 . Four Theater Artists to Watch This Fall . April 30, 2024 . . 0362-4331.
  4. https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2024/06/nj-at-the-2024-tony-awards-winners-maleah-joi-moon-shaina-taub-and-more.html "N.J. at the 2024 Tony Awards: Winners Maleah Joi Moon, Shaina Taub and more"
  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. Web site: Monthly . New Jersey . April 30, 2024 . Broadway's 'Hell's Kitchen' Star Fell in Love With Acting at NJ Public Schools . April 30, 2024 . New Jersey Monthly.
  7. Web site: Dixon . Delaina . April 21, 2024 . 'Hell's Kitchen' Star Maleah Joi Moon Has Found The Light . April 30, 2024 . Ebony.
  8. Web site: Campione . Katie . November 18, 2022 . ABC To Highlight 16 Emerging Actors For 2022 ‘Television Discovers: Talent Showcase’ Virtual Event . April 30, 2024 . Deadline Hollywood.
  9. Web site: Major . Michael . November 28, 2022 . Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase Actors Revealed . April 30, 2024 . . en.
  10. Web site: Vizcaino . Jeffrey . November 3, 2023 . Women on Fire: Shoshana Bean and Maleah Joi Moon Fearlessly Lead the Alicia Keys Musical . April 30, 2024 . Playbill.
  11. Web site: Tinubu . Aramide . November 20, 2023 . Hell's Kitchen Review: Alicia Keys Soundtracks a Powerhouse Cast in Vibrant Off Broadway Depiction of Teen Girlhood . November 29, 2023 . Variety.
  12. News: Vincentelli . Elisabeth . Elisabeth Vincentelli . April 21, 2024 . ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ Review: Alicia Keys’s Musical Finds Its Groove on Broadway . April 22, 2024 . . 0362-4331.
  13. Web site: Culwell-Block . Logan . February 26, 2024 . Alicia Keys Musical Hell's Kitchen Finds Full Broadway Cast . February 26, 2024 . Playbill.
  14. Web site: Evans . Greg . February 7, 2024 . Broadway Cast Announced For Alicia Keys Musical ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ . April 30, 2024 . Deadline Hollywood.
  15. Web site: Losgar . Maxwell . May 7, 2024 . Tony Nominee Maleah Joi Moon Went Full-on Floral for Her First Met Gala . June 10, 2024 . Cosmopolitan.
  16. Web site: Russo . Gillian . 2024 Lucille Lortel Award nominations announced . New York Theatre Guide . 2024-04-05 . 2024-04-04.
  17. Web site: Rosky . Nicole . 2024 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List . . April 29, 2024 . April 29, 2024.
  18. Web site: Culwell-Block . Logan . Cole Escola, Meleah Joi Moon, Rachel McAdams, More Win 2024 Theatre World Awards. June 2, 2024 . Playbill . en.
  19. Web site: Huston . Caitlin . April 30, 2024 . ‘Stereophonic,’ Alicia Keys’ ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ Lead Tony Award Nominations . April 30, 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter.

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