Malaysian composer Joy Ngiaw wins at the 4th Children’s & Family Emmy Awards for her work on Apple TV+’s WondLa
MALAYSIA has a new name to celebrate on the world stage. Composer Joy Ngiaw has become the first Malaysian to win an Emmy Award, taking home the Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for an Animated Program accolade at the 4th Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, held recently in New York City.
The win recognises Ngiaw’s musical work on WondLa, a sci-fi adventure animated series currently airing its second season on Apple TV+. The show has drawn a strong global following, and Ngiaw’s sweeping, imaginative score has been widely praised as one of its standout elements.
Speaking on what the recognition means to her, Ngiaw expressed hope that her achievement would resonate beyond the awards stage. “This win is deeply meaningful, and I hope it will serve as a catalyst for more artistically inclined young people from Malaysia and Southeast Asia to pursue their dreams in the arts,” she said.
The National Film Development Corporation, Finas, was among the first to publicly celebrate the milestone, offering its congratulations via social media following the March 2, 2026 ceremony. “This success proves that Malaysian creative talent can make a significant impact on the international stage, consistently elevating the nation’s standing in the global content industry,” the government agency said, adding that it hoped Ngiaw’s achievement would inspire a new generation of Malaysian artists.
The historic win draws natural comparisons to another landmark moment in Malaysian entertainment history — when Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh became the first Malaysian to win a Golden Globe, claiming Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her lead role in Everything Everywhere All at Once, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. Yeoh was 60 at the time of her win.
With Joy Ngiaw now adding an Emmy to Malaysia’s growing list of international accolades, the country’s creative community has made it increasingly clear that its talent is not just regionally competitive — it is world-class.
