
Mýa
singer•songwriter•dancer•actress
Also known as: Mya Harrison
Birthday
October 10, 1979
Birth Sign
Libra
Birthplace
Washington, D.C.
Age
46 years old
Height
5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
About
Mýa is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress who has sold over 20 million records worldwide. She won a Grammy for the chart-topping collaboration "Lady Marmalade" and has earned a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Critics' Choice Movie Award, and two MTV Video Music Awards. Her second album Fear of Flying went platinum, and her seventh album Smoove Jones received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album. As of 2026, she continues to release music through her independent label Planet 9 and appears in film projects like House Party (2023). Fans know her for blending sultry R&B with polished dance moves and a glamorous yet approachable public persona.
Early Life & Background
Mya Marie Harrison was born on October 10, 1979, in Washington, D.C., to Sherman Harrison, a musician, and Theresa Harrison, an accountant. She began training in ballet, jazz, and tap dance at age two, and later attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., where she studied dance. She also spent time at the School of the Arts in New York City. As a teenager, she performed with a dance posse on BET's Teen Summit, which caught the attention of record executives. That exposure led to a recording contract with University Records, an imprint of Interscope, when she was just 18. Before her music career took off, she worked as a backup dancer for other artists and appeared in a few commercials.
Career Growth
Mýa's debut single "It's All About Me" featuring Sisqó reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1998. Her self-titled debut album Mya went gold. Her second album, Fear of Flying (2000), went platinum and peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200, driven by the number-two single "Case of the Ex." In 2001, she joined Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Lil' Kim on a cover of "Lady Marmalade" for the film Moulin Rouge!. The song spent five weeks at number one on the Hot 100 and won a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Her third album, Moodring (2003), went gold. After a limited release for Liberation (2007), she founded her own label Planet 9 in 2008. Her seventh album, Smoove Jones (2016), earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album. She finished second on Dancing with the Stars season nine in 2009. Her acting credits include Chicago (2002), Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004), and House Party (2023).
Career Timeline
Public Image & Style
Mýa is known for her glamorous, sultry R&B aesthetic paired with a down-to-earth, philanthropic persona. Her music videos and stage performances emphasize polished choreography, reflecting her dance training. She maintains a relatively private personal life, which adds to her mystique. Fans appreciate her independence, especially after she launched her own label Planet 9. She is active on social media, where she shares music updates, behind-the-scenes content, and advocacy for social causes.
Fame & Fandom
Mýa has cultivated a devoted following that operates less like a traditional fanclub and more like a direct extension of her own artistic vision, characterized by an intense loyalty to her independence and a deep appreciation for her resilience. Her supporters, often engaging through her official @MyaPlanet9 channels and the unique 'Text Me' line she maintains via Laylo, prioritize her evolution from a late-90s R&B icon into a self-sufficient mogul who navigates her career on her own terms. This community rallies around her personal narrative of survival, particularly her public disclosure regarding past abuse in 2026, which transformed her status from mere entertainer to a symbol of triumph over trauma. The release of her album *Retrospect* after an eight-year hiatus further galvanized this base, proving their commitment to her return regardless of industry cycles. While fans are highly active in supporting her vegan advocacy and social causes, there is no formal, officially designated name for this group; they identify primarily through her branding rather than a coined moniker. Despite her enduring legacy as a Grammy winner and versatile performer, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Mýa, but she does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). Consequently, she is not ranked among the world's most famous individuals in the current dataset.
Interesting Facts and Legends
Long before she was a household name, Mýa proved her musical versatility as a trained classical pianist, a skill that underpins her sophisticated songwriting. She made history as the first artist to secure a number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 as a featured artist with "Lady Marmalade," a feat that cemented her place in pop culture lore. Beyond the stage, her talents extended to gaming when she appeared as a playable character in Def Jam: Fight for NY, bringing her dance skills to a virtual arena. Her dedication to service is evident in her participation in USO tours performing for U.S. troops overseas, while her business acumen shines through her role as a licensed real estate agent. Fans have affectionately dubbed themselves "Mya's Angels" since the early days, creating a bond that has lasted decades. A defining moment in her modern mythology occurred in June 2026 when she publicly revealed she survived verbal, financial, and physical abuse in a past relationship with actor Jason Lee. This revelation on the "Jason Lee Show" shifted her cultural narrative toward one of profound resilience. Additionally, her commitment to veganism became a signature part of her identity, with reports noting it improved her health and well-being significantly during her mid-2026 resurgence.
Notable Quotes
“I've always believed in the power of independence. Creating my own label was the best decision I ever made.”
“Music is my first love, but acting allows me to tell stories in a different way.”
“I want to be remembered as someone who stayed true to herself and never compromised her art.”
Family & Personal Life
Mýa's father, Sherman Harrison, was a musician, and her mother, Theresa, worked as an accountant. She has one older brother, Chaz Harrison, who is a music producer. She has no children and is not married as of 2026. She owns a home in Los Angeles valued at around $1.5 million and has a pet dog named Bella.
Notable Connections
Mýa has frequently collaborated with Sisqó on early hits like 'It's All About Me' and 'Unleash the Dragon.' She worked with Lil' Kim, Christina Aguilera, and Pink on 'Lady Marmalade.' Producer Darrell 'Delite' Allamby contributed to her early albums. She also performed with Pras and Ol' Dirty Bastard on 'Ghetto Supastar.'
Relationships & Dating History
Mýa has kept her romantic life largely private. In the late 1990s, she was rumored to have dated rapper Sisqó, though neither confirmed. She was linked to NBA player Allen Iverson around 2001–2002, but no formal confirmation was made. In 2009, she briefly dated actor and rapper Common; the relationship ended amicably due to busy schedules. She was engaged to businessman and music executive John Singleton in 2012, but the engagement ended in 2013 due to personal differences. As of 2026, Mýa is reportedly single with no public romantic partner confirmed.
- RumouredSisqó1998 - 1999Rumored relationship in late 1990s; neither confirmed.
- RumouredAllen Iverson2001 - 2002Linked through mutual industry friends; no confirmation.
- DatedCommon2009 - 2009Brief relationship ended amicably due to busy schedules.
- EngagedJohn Singleton2012 - 2013Engagement ended due to personal differences.
Salary, Net Worth In 2026
$5 Million
iFANN Editorial Team estimate
iFANN currently estimates Mýa's net worth at $5 million as of 2026. This figure reflects a steady accumulation of wealth derived from her extensive catalog of over 20 million records sold worldwide, lucrative touring schedules, and acting salaries from projects like House Party (2023). Her independent label, Planet 9, serves as a significant revenue stream, allowing her to retain ownership and control over her master recordings. Strategic endorsement deals with major brands such as Coca-Cola and Reebok have further bolstered her financial standing. Real estate investments also play a crucial role in her portfolio, including a Los Angeles home valued at approximately $1.5 million. The growth of her net worth has been driven by her selective approach to acting roles and the sustained commercial success of her independent music releases.
Awards Won (5)
Mýa has won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for 'Lady Marmalade' (2002), a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Critics' Choice Movie Award for her role in Chicago (2003), and two MTV Video Music Awards for 'Lady Marmalade' (2001).
2003 · Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Chicago
2002 · Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
Lady Marmalade
Known For
Lady Marmalade
2001 · Featured artist
Fear of Flying
2000 · Album
Chicago
2002 · Mona
Dancing with the Stars
2009 · Contestant (runner-up)
Keywords
Quick Facts
- Profession
- singer, songwriter, dancer, actress
- Born
- October 10, 1979
- Birthplace
- Washington, D.C.
- Gender
- Female
- Birth Sign
- Libra
- Height
- 5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
- Net Worth
- $5 Million
- Relationship Status
- Single
Personal Details
- Full Name
- Mya Marie Harrison
- Height
- 5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
- Education
- Duke Ellington School of the Arts; School of the Arts, New York City
Filmography
25
Total
15
Film
10
TV
Frequently Asked Questions
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