Please leave it to Mya to not only have a stellar music career—thanks to hits like “My Love Is Like…Wo”—but also be the beauty muse of the early 2000s. Dare we call her the OG curly girl as well, as the DC-native rocked her natural hair proudly, on a large platform, in a time where it wasn’t quite as popular as straight strands.
The Smoove Jones singer had highlights and teased her hair at the 2003 MTV Music Awards red carpet. The following year, she decided to add a flower to her curls at the 30th American Music Awards. Then, in 2006, the singer did the same—that time sporting a ponytail that showed off her edges at the 2006 Miami Vice Miami Premiere.
Towards the end of the decade, in 2009, she wore her hair in a 1920’s Great Gatsby-inspired ‘do at the 2009 HBO’s Post Emmy Awards Reception—reminding us of the beauty of switching up your hair. Later, the singer rocked her curly hair to the side at the 2016 58th Grammy Awards. The following night, she let it out and proud at the Universal Music Group’s After Party.
In honor of her 45th birthday, today, look back at Mya’s inspiring hair moments over the years.
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 15: Singer Mya arrives at the 10 Cane Cloud 9 Party Hosted by Mya on September 15, 207 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Kohen/WireImage)
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – SEPTEMBER 20: Actress Maya Rudolph attends HBO’s post Emmy Awards reception at Pacific Design Center on September 20, 2009 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Singer/actress Mya Harrison arrives at the 41st NAACP Image awards held at The Shrine Auditorium on February 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for NAACP)
Mya during The 30th Annual American Music Awards – Arrivals at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)
Singer Mya arrives at The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 13, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 01: Mya arrives at the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on May 1, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joshua Blanchard/FilmMagic)
Mya during Olympus Fashion Week Fall 2006 – Baby Phat – Inside Arrivals and Departures at The Tent, Bryant Park in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Robin Platzer/FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 15: Mya arrives at the The 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 15, 2016 in Los Angeles City. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
Mya during 12th Annual Rock the Vote Awards Dinner at National Building Museum in Washington D.C., D.C., United States. (Photo by Jeff Snyder/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 11: Mya visits The Michelle Collins Show at the SiriusXM Studios on July 11, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)
Mya during Louis Vuitton Host Party of LOVE – May 3, 2007 at Louis Vuitton – 5th Avenue in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic)
Mya during Ford Supermodel of the Year Runway Show – January 18, 2006 at Skylight Studios in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic)
Mya during 8 Mile Premiere at Mann Village Westwood in Westwood, CA. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
Mya during The 2002 ALMA Awards – Arrivals at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)
Mya during THE GQ MENS FASHION AWARDS at THE REGENT WALL STREET HOTEL LOC in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic)
Mya during 2003 MTV Video Music Awards – Arrivals at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
Mya during Mya Sighting on South Beach – July 26, 2006 at South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida, United States. (Photo by Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage)
Mya during The 2002 ALMA Awards – Audience and Backstage at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Trench Shore/WireImage)
Singer Mya attends the Pirate’s Booty booth at the Kari Feinsten Primetime Emmy Awards style lounge at Zune LA on September 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matthew Simmons/WireImage)
