Maleah Joi Moon Wins Ebony Power 100 Fan Award

Actress Maleah Joi Moon received the fan-voted People's Choice Award at the 2026 Ebony Power 100 gala, which Tiffany Haddish also attended.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in African-American

Maleah Joi Moon Wins Ebony Power 100 Fan Award

Maleah Joi Moon received the fan-voted Ebony Power 100 People's Choice Award at the 2026 Ebony Power 100 gala held at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. Tiffany Haddish also attended the event, whose theme was "The Stories We Shape."

Why it matters

The People's Choice Award is decided by fan voting, giving audiences a direct role in recognizing honorees at the Ebony Power 100 gala. The recognition highlights the growing visibility of young Black actresses in the United States entertainment industry.

Moon, 24, beat three finalists, including Bob the Drag Queen, Ciara Miller, and Phaedra Parks, in fan voting. Vote totals and margins were not disclosed.

The players

Maleah Joi Moon

Maleah Joi Moon is a 24-year-old actress who plays Deborah Wayne on Netflix's A Different World reboot-sequel series.

Tiffany Haddish

Tiffany Haddish is a 46-year-old comedian and actress known for her film and television work who attended the 2026 Ebony Power 100 gala.

Ebony Power 100

Ebony Power 100 is an annual honor from Ebony magazine recognizing influential Black leaders and creators across culture and industry.

The details

Moon plays the lead role of Deborah Wayne on Netflix's A Different World reboot-sequel series, which was renewed for Season 2 in October 2026. Haddish, 46, attended the gala alongside Moon, and the event was held November 9, 2026.

October 2026: A Different World was renewed for Season 2.
November 9, 2026: The Ebony Power 100 gala was held at the Hollywood Palladium.
November 10, 2026: UPI published its report on the gala's attendance.

Industry Dynamics

The Netflix reboot-sequel of A Different World extends the original NBC sitcom that ran from 1987 to 1993, which centered on students at Hillman College. Moon's lead role continues that series' legacy of centering Black college life on television.

Viewers can watch Moon in A Different World on Netflix, and the series' renewal for Season 2 means a new season is expected to follow. Fans who want to follow Moon's work can track her on the streaming platform where the show is available.

The takeaway

Fan voting gives audiences a direct voice in recognizing rising talent, and Moon's win shows how younger performers are being celebrated alongside established figures at major cultural events.