Maleah Joi Moon (born September 22, 2002) 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. Moon won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for the play's accompanying album. In 2023, The New York Times listed Moon on its list of 2023 Theater Artists to Watch This Fall.
Life and career Moon was born and raised in Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey,"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." where she graduated from Franklin High School in 2020.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." During her studies, she attended theater and singing classes taught by Timothy Walton and Franklin Township. In sixth grade, she played the lead role of Dorothy in the school play The Wizard of Oz.
In 2022, Moon was cast for her first television role in the Disney show Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase. 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. The musical took place at The Public Theater from November 2023 to January 2024, receiving mostly positive reviews from critics, praising Moon's performance. The following year, Moon was confirmed for her role in the Broadway production at the Shubert Theatre. 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. 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.
Filmography YearTitleRoleNotes2022Disney Television Discovers: Talent ShowcaseFayeSeason 2; Ep. 22023Mystic ChristmasBrookeTV Movie2024The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonHerselfPerformance with Alicia Keys2026A Different World (2026)Deborah WayneMain role
Stage credits Broadway productions TitleYearsRoleLocationNotesHell's Kitchen2024AliShubert TheatreWritten by Kristoffer Diaz, Directed by Michael Greif, Music by Alicia Keys
Off-Broadway productions TitleYearsRoleLocationNotesHell's Kitchen2024AliThe Public TheaterStage musical; Written by Kristoffer Diaz, Directed by Michael Greif, Music by Alicia Keys
Awards and nominations Date of ceremony Award Category Nominee(s) Result 2024Lucille Lortel Awards Outstanding Lead Performer in a MusicalHell's Kitchen Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical Theatre World Award2024Tony AwardsBest Actress in a Musical 2025Grammy AwardsBest Musical Theater Album
See also African-American Tony nominees and winners References
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