THE JOY OF THE GAME

Malaysian-born composer Joy Ngiaw is redefining Hollywood's soundscape, championing representation, diversity, and the dreamer's spirit as she scores a path for Southeast Asian women in Hollywood.

- Words: SWAROOPINI NAIR

In the words of one of the greatest imagineers of our time, Walt Disney, “a dream is a wish your heart makes.

” But turning that dream into reality takes more than just hope—it demands discipline, daring, and unshakable audacity as well. Joy Ngiaw, raised in Pahang and now based in Hollywood, embodies that spirit. The award-winning Malaysian film and television composer has carved a name for herself with richly inventive scores and layered, emotionally intelligent compositions, earning her a place among the industry's most exciting musical voices.

Ngiaw boasts a distinct lyricism to her scores, evident in projects like Blush (Apple TV+), where tenderness and transcendence play in perfect harmony. A graduate of Berklee College of Music and one of the few women of colour carving space in film and television scoring, Ngiaw isn’t just underscoring stories, she's subtly rewriting them. Championing women empowerment as she makes strides representing the power and prowess of the Malaysian spirit, Ngiaw sits down with PRESTIGE to discuss her life, career and the hope she cultivates from dreaming beyond.

PRESTIGE: From working on the score for Rescued by Ruby to Apple TV & Skydance’s debut animation Blush, how do you immerse yourself into the musical narrative of the projects that you work on?