Mýa

A Grammy-winning singer and supporting film player, multi-talented Mya arrived at those high-profile fields after having already earned acclaim as a dancer during her teens. She born Mya Marie Harrison on Oct. 10, 1979, and raised in a suburb of Washington, DC, where she started dance lessons at four years old and joined the dance troupe, T.W.A. (Tappers With Attitude) at age 10. While attending a workshop with renowned choreographer Savion Glover, Mya was invited to study at the Dance Theater of Harlem, where her ability for improvisation so impressed Glover that he showcased the 14-year-old in a solo performance at the Kennedy Center. As Mya's professional dance resume grew with appearances on the BET talk show "Teen Summit" (BET, 1989-2002), she began to explore her vocal skills and, under the supervision of her musician father, recorded a demo that landed her a record deal with Interscope Records at age 17. Her debut album, Mya (1998) sold 1.5 million copies and launched the top ten single, "It's All About Me," a duet with R&B artist Sisqo. She was tapped by hip-hopper Pras to appear on the Grammy-nominated hit single "Ghetto Superstar," while "Take Me There," recorded with Puff Daddy sidekick Mase, was used on the soundtrack for the animated "Rugrats Movie" (1998). The hot newcomer appeared onscreen herself that year "In Too Deep" (1999), a gangsta thriller starring Omar Epps and L.L. Cool J.