Maleah Joi Moon

Last updated
Maleah Joi Moon
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 on Alicia Keys' musical Hell's Kitchen, for which she received a nomination at the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. [1] In 2023, The New York Times listed Moon on its list of 2023 Theater Artists to Watch This Fall. [2]

Contents

Life and career

Moon was born and raised in New Jersey, where she graduated from Franklin High School. During her studies, she attended theater and singing classes taught by Timothy Walton and Franklin Township. [3] In sixth grade, she played the lead role of Dorothy in the school play 'The Wizard of Oz'. [4]

In 2022, Moon was cast for her first television role in the Disney show Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase. [5] [6] 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, alongside Shoshana Bean, Kecia Lewis, Crystal Monee Hall and Brandon Victor Dixon. [7] The musical took place at The Public Theater from November 2023 to January 2024, receiving mostly positive reviews from critics, praising Moon's performance. [8] [9] The following year, Moon was confirmed for her role in the Broadway produciton at the Shubert Theatre. [10] 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 . [11] For her performance, Moon was nominated for the Lucille Lortel Awards, Drama Desk Award and Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. [12]

On May 6th, 2024, Moon made her Met Gala debut wearing Collina Strada. [13]

Filmography

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

Theatre and musical

Broadway productions

TitleYearsRoleLocationNotes
Hell's Kitchen 2024Ali Shubert Theatre Original stage musical;

written by Kristoffer Diaz, directed by Michael Greif, music by Alicia Keys

Off-Broadway productions

TitleYearsRoleLocationNotes
Hell's Kitchen 2024Ali The Public Theater Stage musical;

written by Kristoffer Diaz, directed by Michael Greif, music by Alicia Keys

Awards and nominations

Date of ceremonyAwardCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
2024 Lucille Lortel Awards Outstanding Lead Performer in a MusicalHell's KitchenNominated [14]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical Pending [15]
2024 Tony Awards Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Pending [12]

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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. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ Dixon, Delaina (April 21, 2024). "'Hell's Kitchen' Star Maleah Joi Moon Has Found The Light". Ebony . Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ Major, Michael (November 28, 2022). "Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase Actors Revealed". BroadwayWorld.com . Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ Culwell-Block, Logan (February 26, 2024). "Alicia Keys Musical Hell's Kitchen Finds Full Broadway Cast". Playbill . Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  11. ↑ Evans, Greg (February 7, 2024). "Broadway Cast Announced For Alicia Keys Musical 'Hell's Kitchen'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  12. 1 2 Huston, Caitlin (April 30, 2024). "'Stereophonic,' Alicia Keys' 'Hell's Kitchen' Lead Tony Award Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Tony Nominee Maleah Joi Moon Went Full-on Floral for Her First Met Gala". Cosmopolitan. 2024-05-07. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  14. ↑ Russo, Gillian (2024-04-04). "2024 Lucille Lortel Award nominations announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  15. ↑ Rosky, Nicole (April 29, 2024). "2024 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List". BroadwayWorld.com . Retrieved April 29, 2024.
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