Cover image via @joyngiaw (Instagram)
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
Malaysian-born composer Joy Ngiaw has made history after winning an Emmy Award for her exceptional work on Apple TV's animated series WondLa
According to Bernama, she received the Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for an Animated Programme Award for her work on Season 2 of the sci-fi series.
Released in 2024 and produced by Skydance Animation, WondLa follows the story of Eva, a young girl navigating a post-apocalyptic world while questioning whether she may be the last surviving human.
The show's soundtrack stands out for Ngiaw's sweeping and imaginative original score, helping to bring the story's emotional depth to life.
In her acceptance speech, Ngiaw expressed gratitude for the recognition, describing her work on the series as a defining moment in her career
She also thanked the production teams at Skydance Animation and Apple TV for trusting her to shape the series' musical identity.
"I wouldn't be where I am today without John Lasseter and Skydance Animation's trust since day one. Scoring the studio's first short film Blush through a blind pitch truly jumpstarted my career. I later scored the studio logo, and now this epic trilogy. I am forever grateful," she shared.
"Scoring this show has been the greatest honour of my life. Thank you for trusting me to explore, experiment, and build the immersive musical world of WondLa," she also later wrote on Instagram.
Watch Ngiaw share how she composed the music for a scene in Season 1 here:
The Pahang-born composer also dedicated the achievement to her loved ones, thanking her family in Malaysia and her partner for their unwavering support
"To my family back home in Malaysia, and my partner — thank you for being my rock and the heart behind my music," she said.
Ngiaw received the award at the 4th Annual Children's & Family Emmy Awards, held at the Lincoln Center in New York City on 1 and 2 March.
