Maleah Joi Moon Brings Vogue Inside Her Tony-Winning Night

Maleah Joi Moon is living the Broadway dream. She earned rave reviews for her debut role of Ali in Alicia Keys’s semi-autobiographical jukebox musical, Hell’s Kitchen. Last night, she sealed the deal by winning her first Tony Award: Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.

“I feel exuberant and I feel beautiful,” Moon tells Vogue ahead of her award-winning night. “I am really happy with my glam team and how everything is coming together. It’s going to be a really lovely and heartfelt night.” An extra tug at the heartstrings: she got to share the night with her parents—a memorable Father’s Day, indeed.

Styled by Ayumi Perry, Moon marked the monumental night with a black Marc Bouwer dress (and matching full-length gloves) almost entirely covered in silver sequins, equally shimmering David Webb jewelry, and strappy Gucci heels. “She is killer and brought these awesome options,” Moon says of Perry. “I wanted a classic silhouette that gave vintage beauty with a little bit of a modern twist and I am really excited for it.”

While she’s still getting the hang of awards shows (though she sagely eats beforehand and carries a snack in her Mach Mach purse), Moon is trying to live in the moment. “I want to take every moment as it comes and try my best to be present. After the awards, we have an after-party for Hell’s Kitchen, which is going to be fire!”

Below, follow along as Maleah Joi Moon preps for her Tony-winning night.