• Faith: Christian
• Career: Musician
• Birthday:  October 10, 1979

Mya Marie Harrison, known professionally as Mya, is a singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress. She’s become a staple in pop culture across platforms, genres, and mediums worldwide since being classified as a “triple threat.” Born and raised in Washington, D.C., she studied tap, ballet, and jazz as a child. She started her career as a dance posse member and TV personality on BET’s “Teen Summit.” After developing an interest in music and nurturing her craft, she was discovered by CEO A. Haqq Islam.

In 1998, she released her eponymous debut album. As a commercial and critical success, the album produced her first U.S. top-ten single, “It’s All About Me.” Her collaborative efforts “Take Me There” and “Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are) continued to raise her profile and attained chart success worldwide. In 2000, her second studio album, “Fear of Flying,” was released, presenting a more mature image and sound.

The album became an international success, supported by singles “Case of the Ex," “The Best of Me,” and “Free.” Mya recorded “Lady Marmalade” with Lil Kim, Christina Aguilera, and Pink the following year. It topped the charts globally and won a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals in 2002. Now, as a full-time independent artist, the singer releases music regularly. In 2014, she released three R&B EPs; in 2016, she released her seventh studio album “Smoove Jones.” Aside from music, Mya ventured into acting across television, film, broadway and gaming.

She made her cinematic film debut in the crime thriller “In Too Deep.” Following her debut, she appeared in supporting or minor roles in movies and TV series like “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights,” “Chicago,” “Shall We Dance?” “NCIS,” “Girls Cruise,” and “House Party.” Harrison has sold 3.2 million albums in the U.S., 7 million albums worldwide and 20 million records total. Her accolades include a Grammy, a Critics’ Choice Movie Award, a Screen Actor Guild Award, and two MTV Video Music Awards. For the 2000s decade, Billboard named her one of their Hot 100 Artists of the 2000s.

What religion is Mya?

Mya identifies as a Christian. In an interview, discussing who’s the first person she goes to when she feels like being comforted, Mya said, “My support system is my pen and paper. Then, the next one in line would be my mother and God, of course, but when I can’t turn to my mother and father, I turn to my pen and paper. No criticisms, no opinions, just me.”

 In a separate interview discussing her self-care routine, she said, “As far as mental and emotional wellness, I always write and keep a diary or a journal with me on the road. I keep track of my feelings and pour out my emotions on paper, which I use to keep me sane. Also, prayer. I didn’t know what meditation was back then, but I definitely stayed prayed up being on the road as an early teenager. So, it’s something that I still do to this day.”