Mya
Singer/song writer, record producer, actress, dancer, and model Mya has found herself in the final three on this season’s “Dancing with the Stars.” She and partner Dmitry Chaplin are leading the pack as the contestants go into finale week.
Mya was born in Washington, D.C. on October 10, 1979. Her Jamaican father was a musician and singer and her Italian mother was an accountant. Mya took violin lessons as a child, but dancing – ballet, tap, and jazz – was her passion. She began ballet lessons at the young age of two. She was such a good tap dancer that she studied under Savion Glover of the famed Dance Theater of Harlem when he was in Washington. He was so impressed, he chose her to do a solo at the Kennedy Center. Mya also appeared on Teen Summit on the BET network.
During her teen years, she changed the focus to music. Before finishing high school, she got a recording deal with University and affiliate Interscope Records. Her debut self-titled album was released on April 21, 1998. “It’s All About Me,” a duet with Sisqo, was certified gold and the album was eventually certified platinum. Mya was nominated for the Soul Train Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist and Best R&B/Soul Album – Female awards.
Mya released her second album, Fear of Flying, on April 25, 2000. It debuted at #15 on the Billboard 200. After adding two new songs, the album was re-released on November 7, 2000 and one of the new songs, “Free,” was successful on MTV’s “TRL.” The album was eventually certified platinum and remained on the Billboard 200 for 52 consecutive weeks.
In 2001, Mya, along with Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, and Pink, hit the top of the charts with the “Lady Marmalade” remake. The single eventually sold 5.5 million copies and spent eight weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Mya won a Grammy award for the single in the Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals category.
Mya’s third album, Moodring, peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and it’s single “My Love Is Like…Wo” was a smash hit. The album was certified gold. Mya’s fourth album, Liberation, was released in October 2007 in digital download only. Sugar & Spice, her fifth album, was released in December 2008 in Japan. She is currently working on her sixth album.
In between albums, Mya began acting. She had a supporting role in the Academy Award winning film Chicago. For her appearance, she won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance. She also appeared in Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, Shall We Dance?, and Cursed. Mya sang the James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing video game theme song and also appeared as a Bond girl in the game.
Mya is the spokesperson for Secret to Self Esteem and she is the founder of The Mya Arts & Tech Foundation (TMATF), which helps disadvantaged youth through arts and technology education. She was also involved in the Lifetime Network’s Stop Breast Cancer for Life campaign.
Read these other great entries