Mýa: The Woman Behind the Music

Photography by Michael Farmer / F8 Studios

There are artists who ride trends, and then there are artists who become their own compass. Mýa belongs firmly to the latter. More than two decades into a career that helped define late-’90s and early-2000s R&B, she is not only still creating, she is doing so on her own terms, with a clarity that feels both rare and refreshing. Our recent conversation revealed an artist less interested in chasing the moment and more committed to honoring it, wherever it finds her.

What stands out immediately is how deeply her creative process has matured. Where once inspiration might have come from the immediacy of the studio or the demands of the industry, today it is drawn from a quieter, more intentional life: travel, visual art, film, conversations with people whose stories differ from her own, even the power of silence itself. Mýa spoke about releasing the need to control outcomes and trusting the process to guide her. That surrender, counterintuitive in an industry obsessed with metrics and momentum, has allowed her to make some of her most authentic work to date. It’s not about reinvention for reinvention’s sake; it’s about evolution that feels true.

That commitment to authenticity is also at the heart of what independence means to her now. As an artist who has built a legacy outside the traditional system, she views creative freedom not as a buzzword but as a responsibility, to experiment, to take risks, and to speak in her own voice on her own timeline. There is a quiet power in that approach, one that has allowed her to remain both relevant and grounded in an industry that rarely rewards patience.

Yet for all of her introspection, she remains a performer at heart. She described the on-stage moments that still give her chills: those seconds when she steps back from the microphone and the audience carries the lyrics for her. It’s a reminder that music, at its best, collapses time, connecting artist and listener across different lives, cities, and eras in a single shared experience. In those moments, her work becomes less about performance and more about communion.

Empowerment has always been a throughline in her career, but today her message feels especially resonant. She speaks about the right to grow, to change direction, to protect one’s peace, and to take up space without apology. In a culture that often equates success with constant productivity, Mýa’s philosophy reframes success as alignment, choosing what honors your truth, even when it means saying no. It’s a message that extends beyond music into the way she moves through the world.

That sense of alignment has been beautifully on display during her recent participation in The Boy Is Mine tour, an iconic, full-circle return to the era that first introduced her to the world. For Mýa, the experience is both nostalgic and forward-looking: a celebration of the women who defined a generation of R&B, now stepping back onstage with greater intention, confidence, and creative control. Rather than simply revisiting the past, she’s re-entering it with the wisdom of everything she’s lived since.

Travel, too, plays a central role in how she stays inspired and balanced. Mýa approaches the world as both sanctuary and classroom, finding magic in simple rituals like watching a sunrise, walking through nature, or discovering nourishing plant-based meals in a new city. A longtime vegan, she has learned how to maintain her lifestyle on the road, from carefully curated hospitality riders to quick market runs upon landing. Wellness isn’t an afterthought; it’s the infrastructure that allows her to show up fully, night after night. Sleep, breathwork, movement, and mindful recovery are treated not as luxuries but as non-negotiables.

Some of her most transformative experiences have come in the farthest corners of the globe. She recalled a recent journey to Fiji that left her spiritually renewed, immersed in culture, nature, and a sense of reverence for the land. Travel, for her, is equal parts reset, adventure, and research: a way to recalibrate her spirit while quietly gathering inspiration for whatever creative chapter lies ahead. Even her dream destination, a hypothetical 48 hours in outer space, speaks to a desire to gain perspective, to see Earth from afar and question the structures we often take for granted.

At the core of everything is purpose. Offstage, Mýa remains anchored by faith, gratitude, and a deep awareness of responsibility to family, community, and the people who find solace in her story. She does not measure legacy in awards or chart positions, but in whether her life and work empower others to remember their own strength. In that way, artistry becomes service, and success becomes something far more expansive than visibility.

And the journey is far from over. With her 10th studio album on the horizon, a forthcoming tour, and a slate of intimate fan experiences planned through her independent label, Planet 9, Mýa is entering her next era exactly as she intends: creatively sovereign, spiritually grounded, and fully in motion. If this chapter is any indication, what lies ahead won’t simply reflect where she’s been; it will illuminate where intention, alignment, and artistry can take you when you trust your own rhythm.

ONE ON ONE WITH MYA:

LATM: You’ve had such a dynamic journey in the music industry. How has your creative process evolved over the years, and where do you find inspiration now?

Mýa: Now, inspiration comes from living life with more intention. Traveling, listening to stories that aren’t mine, exploring visual art, film, even silence—those things play a big part in how I create. I think the biggest shift is that I’ve stopped trying to control the outcome. I let the process lead me, and that’s allowed me to create some of my most authentic work.

LATM: As an independent artist, you’ve built a powerful legacy on your own terms. What does freedom in your artistry mean to you today?

Mýa: For me, freedom means creating without permission—following the ideas that feel true, even if they’re risky. It’s the ability to evolve, experiment, and tell my story in my own voice, on my own timeline. That’s the kind of freedom in my artistry I protect the most today.

LATM: When you’re performing live, what’s the moment on stage that still gives you chills every time?

Mýa: It’s that split second when I stop singing and the audience (no matter how large or small) sings the lyrics that exited my very soul and mind to mouth, paper, to wax as if we have have been on a journey of life all along in different places and times together and have f inally have met up in the same space to experience the same moment together. No matter how many shows I do, that always gives me chills.

LATM: You’ve always integrated messages of empowerment into your work. Is there a message you’re hoping to put into the world right now through your music or platform?

Mýa: We are allowed to grow, to heal, to change direction, to protect your peace, and to take up space while doing it. I want people to feel empowered to choose themselves—over pressure, over expectations, and over anything that dims their light or compromises their truth.

LATM: You recently joined The Boy Is Mine tour, which is such an iconic full-circle moment given your roots. What has that experience been like, stepping back into that nostalgic era with a new energy? And if you could go on a dream tour with any artist, past or present, who would you choose? Set the scene for us: where would it be, what would it sound like, and what vibe would you bring to the stage?

Mýa: It’s been a surreal full-circle moment, and so grateful for the experience. Stepping back into that early-2000s era feels like tapping into a version of our younger selves that people grew up with, but bringing all the confidence and intention, with a new level of artistry. I’m so proud of all of the women on that tour who have withstood the test of time and pressures of the industry. It’s truly an iconic celebration of black women and an era of female R&B music.

LATM: What makes a perfect travel day for you, from sunrise to sunset?

Mýa: A perfect travel day for me starts with actually getting good sleep the night before, if humanly possible (laughs)—that’s the real luxury. But I often don’t sleep when we are speaking of travel at sunrise to ensure I am at the airport on time. The simplest of things like catching a sunrise, having time for a quick hike or morning walk, picking fruit from a tree for breakfast, or having a sweet moment with a child, someone’s dog choosing me as their new best friend, make my travels so magical. If I discover some flavorful, healthy vegan food, I’m already winning. Food is my love language. (Laughs) But at the end of the day, even with delays and interruptions, I am satisfied with simply making it to my destination safely.

LATM: As a longtime vegan, how do you navigate travel and touring while maintaining your plant-based lifestyle? Any go-to snacks or must-pack items?

Mýa: Being vegan on the road this day and age is pretty simple – even internationally. There are so many restaurants to explore, order from and through delivery apps, I can have my entire meals for the day or week delivered to a hotel, venue, etc. On travel days, I always pack a few go-to snacks—fruit, nuts, seeds, seaweed—and I usually hit a fresh market as soon as I land to stock up on any preferences. Catering on tour is informed of my meal preferences in advance. I also implement specific things in my hospitality rider from organic fruit spreads to plant-based protein shakes & bars, fresh pressed juices and healthy snacks, salads, dressings, etc.

LATM: Can you share an LA vegan spot that always hits the mark for you, either because of the vibe, the flavors, or the people behind it?

Mýa: No. But I can share a few. (chuckles) For raw, healthy options – I absolutely love Sun Cafe Organic (the valley) the smoothies are to die for & Cafe Gratitude (multiple locations), my fav is the Kelp Pesto Noodle Salad. For fancy late night dining & a proper sit down dinner Crossroads Kitchen takes the cake for me. The menu, food and service is exquisite.

LATM: What does your self-care routine look like on the road versus when you’re in one place?

Mýa: Self-care on the road is a bit of a struggle, especially when flying. To preserve time & prevent as much stress as possible, upon landing, I like to go straight to the venue to get set up for the day. I just started implementing a yoga mat in my hospitality rider so I can do some stretching. Healthy foods only! Elevation of legs over the heart if I get a chance to lie down. My travel bag consists of 3 different massage balls and a massage gun. The Soothe App is great for ordering a mobile masseuse to come set up wherever you are.

LATM: We know you take your health seriously. What’s one wellness practice you swear by, and one you’re currently experimenting with?

Mýa: #1 Sleep! The greatest struggle for me. Without it, I begin losing my voice and ability to show up at my best. Sleep deprivation creates stress, bloating & high cortisol in the body, and can lead to a host of other dangerous things (anxiety attacks, stroke, depression). I now guard it with my life, by either turning my phone off or placing it on do not disturb mode ALL DAY and using a separate device to play sleep sounds to reset my nervous system, even if for only 20-30 minutes.

LATM: You’ve toured around the world. What destination has surprised you the most or touched your soul in an unexpected way?

Mýa: Just last year after touring in Australia, I’d traveled solo to Fiji to experience Emaho Sekawa Private Luxury Retreat experience located in Savusavu on the island of Vanu Levu and I was greeted by the most amazing staff. The energy and indigenous culture was felt through the cultural garb, the welcome & departure songs, Kava ceremony & the divine cuisine. I felt like a princess, being welcomed home and sent off on and from sacred land. I was able to experience mountain, jungle, beach and river just in a matter of 4 days there and felt spiritually charged with a big hug from nature, before flying to their main island Viti Levu.

LATM: Do you approach travel as a reset, an adventure, or a form of research for your next creative chapter?

Mýa: Honestly, it’s a mix of all three as it a factor that enriches me as a person. Travel resets my soul, feeds my sense of adventure, and always ends up serving as quiet research and inspiration for whatever creative chapter is coming next. New places have a way of opening up new ideas and recalibrating the mind and enhancing perspective. I’m the wellness retreat girl, but also the very adventurous, fearless scuba or sky diving girl and introspective journaling girl and sometimes during the same trip.

LATM: If you could teleport to any destination for a 48-hour solo escape right now, where would it be and what would you do?

Mýa: I’d totally try outer space for 48 hours. While soaking in the overwhelming point of views, I’d totally document my thoughts in real time on a small microphone or even on video in real time and journal after landing back on earth. Viewing earth from afar, I believe the many man-made constructs we govern our lives by I am most certain would surface, with questions and epiphanies. I have them all the time when looking down at earth, from a plane or simply watching anything astronomy oriented.

LATM: How do you stay centered and spiritually grounded when you’re constantly moving from city to city?

Mýa: I start & end every day with gratitude, as every waking day is an absolute privilege. Silence, stillness and solitude are absolutely necessary for me to recalibrate and return back to me through the source. Breathwork and sound frequencies are very helpful even if for just 20-30 minutes on any given day.

LATM: What does alignment look like for you right now, in your career, relationships, and personal rhythm?

Mýa: Alignment for me right now looks like really listening to my spirit and body—catching the triggers and stress cues early instead of pushing past them. It’s embracing the power of ‘no,’ and speaking up without fear when something doesn’t sit right, instead of letting it fester, boil over and turn into anxiety and a physical ailment. In my career, my relationships, and my personal rhythm, alignment is choosing what feels true, honoring my boundaries, and creating space for peace.

LATM: You’ve been in the spotlight for years. What keeps you connected to your purpose offstage?

Mýa: What keeps me connected to my purpose offstage is GOD. I know that I have been granted many gifts and opportunities, and with both, I am aware that I have a duty to break generational curses, change the trajectory of oppression & health in my family, community, brighten someone’s day, and generally speaking, to enrich the lives of others, whether major or even in the smallest ways. I remind myself that my journey isn’t just about me, music or entertainment— but instead about being an example or inspiration of the imperfect, regular girl who never gave up, created her own path even when the odds were stacked against her, and remaining a servant of the most high. That grounding keeps me aligned with why I do this.

LATM: How do you want to be remembered, as an artist, but also as a woman navigating the world with intention?

Mýa: I don’t think being remembered as an artist is a goal. I’d prefer people to remember their truest selves and the power within, so that they are able to experience the magic of this short time on earth and make it better for someone else. And if the example of my life, spirit, independent journey as a woman, or any of the works I leave behind are a part of that, then wonderful!

LATM: What can we find on your travel playlist? Give us your top 5 go-to songs?

Mýa: Stevie Wonder “The Secret Life of Plants” Bob Marley & The Wailers “Natural Mystic” Sade “Cherish the Day” Beres Hammond “I Feel Good” Mýa “Space and Time”

LATM: If you could whisper one truth into your younger self’s ear back in the “Case of the Ex” days, what would you tell her?

Mýa: Pleeeeaaaase take some shea butter, natural sunblock, Band-Aids, electrolytes and tweezers for splinters as you embark to the Mojave Desert for your video shoot! (Laughs)

LATM: Tell us what’s next? We heard there is a new album coming out!

Mýa: So excited to share that I’ll be releasing a brand-new single in February from my forthcoming 10th studio album, which drops in April on my independent label, Planet 9, followed by my headliner tour! I also have new merch, VIP fan meet & greets, exclusive spatial audio listening sessions, and more planned for my supporters this year. Fans can subscribe to my newsletter at https://laylo.com/-Mýa and stay tuned for release dates/tour dates at MýaMýa.com. Socials: @Mýaplanet9