Tracing the cinematic journey of a multi-hyphenate entertainer requires looking beyond the music charts. Mya Marie Harrison, known globally as Mýa, established a footprint in Hollywood that spans nearly three decades. Her transition from a teenage R&B sensation to a Screen Actors Guild Award-winning actress reflects a strategic expansion of her artistic range. This retrospective explores the core Mya movies and tv shows that defined her career on screen.

The Cinematic Debut and Breakthrough in Musical Drama

The late 1990s marked the beginning of Mya’s venture into film. Following the double-platinum success of her debut album, she sought roles that would allow her to translate her stage presence into acting. Her first appearance came in the 1999 crime thriller In Too Deep. Starring alongside LL Cool J and Omar Epps, Mya played Loretta, the girlfriend of Epps' character. While the role was relatively small, the film served as a critical introduction to her potential as a dramatic actress. The movie managed to recoup its budget and placed her in the company of established stars, setting the stage for more ambitious projects.

However, it was the 2002 film adaptation of the Broadway musical Chicago that truly validated Mya’s status in Hollywood. Directed by Rob Marshall, Chicago was a stylized reimagining of the 1920s homicide-centric musical. Mya secured the role of Mona, one of the "Merry Murderesses" of the Cook County Jail. The audition process for this film highlighted her improvisational skills; despite having no script at the initial meeting, she developed a character scenario that impressed the production team.

Preparation for Chicago was intensive. Mya spent two months in Canada undergoing rigorous rehearsals to perfect the "Cell Block Tango" sequence. Her performance involved a solo monologue and complex choreography that required professional-grade dance precision. The effort paid off significantly. Chicago became a global phenomenon, grossing over $306 million and winning the Academy Award for Best Picture. Mya herself shared in the ensemble’s success, winning a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. This remains a cornerstone of her filmography and a testament to her ability to hold her own in a star-studded cast including Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger.

Expansion into Dance, Horror, and Mainstream Genre Films

Following the critical acclaim of Chicago, Mya focused on projects that leaned into her background as a classically trained dancer. In 2004, she appeared in Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. Set against the backdrop of the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, she portrayed Lola Martinez, a nightclub singer. This role allowed her to showcase her vocal abilities through the song "Do You Only Wanna Dance?" and participate in the film's ballroom sequences. Although the film received mixed critical reviews, it reinforced her image as a versatile performer capable of bridging music and film.

That same year, she joined the cast of Shall We Dance?, a remake of the 1996 Japanese film. Portraying the fiancée of Omar Benson Miller's character, Mya had to master various ballroom styles, including the waltz, tango, and cha-cha. The production required cast members to undergo extensive dance training under choreographer JoAnn Jansen. The film was a commercial success, demonstrating Mya's ability to contribute to mainstream romantic comedies.

In 2005, Mya pivoted to the horror-comedy genre with Wes Craven’s Cursed. Her character, Jenny Tate, was a socialite caught in a werewolf transformation plot. The production of Cursed was notoriously difficult, involving significant reshoots and script changes. Despite these hurdles, Mya utilized her improvisational background to enhance her character's chase scene. While the film struggled at the box office, Mya’s performance was noted by audiences, earning her a nomination for Best Frightened Performance at the MTV Movie Awards. This era proved she could navigate the demands of high-profile studio productions, regardless of the genre.

Television Dominance and the Reality TV Renaissance

Television offered Mya a platform to reach audiences in a more intimate and sustained manner. In the mid-2000s, she guest-starred in popular procedural dramas like NCIS and the mystery series 1-800-Missing. These guest spots allowed her to explore different character archetypes, from victims to suspects, outside the musical framework.

A significant turning point in her television career occurred in 2009 when she joined the ninth season of Dancing with the Stars. Given her background in ballet, jazz, and tap since the age of two, expectations were high. Mya and her professional partner consistently topped the leaderboard, showcasing her technical excellence and work ethic. She eventually finished as the runner-up, a result that sparked considerable debate among fans but undeniably revitalized her public profile. This performance reminded the industry of her exceptional physical discipline and performance art expertise.

In later years, Mya moved into more gritty, long-form storytelling. She starred in the series 5th Ward, a drama centered on the lives of residents in Houston’s historic district. Playing Mina Kennedy, Mya delivered a grounded, dramatic performance across two seasons. The series allowed her to explore complex themes of community and survival, marking a departure from her earlier, more polished roles.

The Independent Film Phase and Holiday Classics

As the film industry shifted toward digital distribution and niche markets, Mya embraced the independent film scene. In 2008, she appeared in the drama Cover, directed by Bill Duke, which tackled sensitive social issues. She also took on her first starring role in the direct-to-DVD romantic comedy Love for Sale, playing a college student entangled in a difficult relationship. These projects allowed her to maintain a consistent presence on screen while the music industry underwent its own digital revolution.

In the early 2020s, Mya became a familiar face in the popular holiday movie genre. She starred in the Lifetime original film My Favorite Christmas Melody (2021). Portraying Abby Walker, a songwriter who finds inspiration while returning home for the holidays, the role felt personal and reflective of her own musical journey. These types of projects capitalized on her "Ghetto Princess" persona while offering wholesome, family-oriented content that performs exceptionally well on streaming platforms.

Voice Acting and Recent Projects into 2026

Mya’s work extends into voice acting and digital media, highlighting her adaptability to emerging technologies. In 2004, she voiced a character in the video game James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing and recorded its theme song. This was an early example of her willingness to engage with the gaming industry, a trend she continued by participating in various multimedia projects.

More recently, she made a notable appearance in the 2023 reboot of House Party. Playing a fictionalized version of herself as a major love interest for the lead character, she demonstrated her comedic timing and enduring cultural relevance. Into 2024 and 2025, Mya has continued to lend her voice to socially conscious projects, such as the short film Voices of Hope ~ Words of Wisdom by Dr. Jane Goodall, where she served as the narrator. This shift toward narration and documentary work suggests a new chapter in her career focused on advocacy and storytelling.

A Comprehensive Look at Mya's Filmography and TV Credits

To understand the full scope of her work, it is helpful to look at the breadth of her credits. Her filmography is not just a list of roles, but a map of the entertainment industry's evolution over the last quarter-century.

Notable Feature Films

  1. In Too Deep (1999): Playing Loretta. A gritty introduction to her acting career.
  2. Chicago (2002): Playing Mona. Her most critically acclaimed role, earning a SAG Award.
  3. Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004): Playing Lola Martinez. A blend of music and dance.
  4. Shall We Dance? (2004): Playing Vern's Fiancée. Highlighting ballroom dance proficiency.
  5. Cursed (2005): Playing Jenny Tate. A notable entry into the horror genre.
  6. The Heart Specialist (2006/2011): A romantic comedy drama exploring the lives of medical professionals.
  7. Cover (2008): Playing Cynda. A dramatic role focusing on social health issues.
  8. The Penthouse (2010): A comedy venture in the independent circuit.
  9. Lazarus (2021): Playing Flora. A move into the action/thriller space for streaming platforms.
  10. House Party (2023): Playing herself. A nostalgic yet modern comedic role.

Television and Streaming Projects

  1. 1-800-Missing (2004): Guest role as Kira.
  2. NCIS (2005): Guest role as Samantha Logan.
  3. Dancing with the Stars (2009): Season 9 runner-up; a major cultural moment.
  4. Bermuda Tentacles (2014): Playing Lt. Plummer in a Syfy original movie.
  5. 5th Ward The Series (2018–2020): Starring as Mina Kennedy; a gritty dramatic turn.
  6. Girls Cruise (2019): Serving as both executive producer and cast member.
  7. My Favorite Christmas Melody (2021): Starring as Abby Walker in a holiday staple.

The Multi-Hyphenate Legacy

Analyzing Mya's career in movies and TV shows reveals a persistent theme of reinvention. She did not allow herself to be pigeonholed as just a singer who acts; instead, she pursued roles that required significant technical preparation, whether it was the intensive ballroom training for Shall We Dance? or the monologue-heavy rehearsals for Chicago.

Her willingness to work across different budget levels—from $100 million studio blockbusters to independent streaming movies—has granted her a longevity that many of her contemporaries from the late 90s have struggled to maintain. By diversifying into executive production on shows like Girls Cruise and taking on voice-over work, she has secured her position as a versatile business woman and artist.

In the current landscape of 2026, Mya remains a relevant figure because she bridged the gap between the traditional Hollywood era and the modern streaming-first world. Her filmography serves as a blueprint for how musical artists can successfully navigate the complexities of the screen without losing their core identity. Whether she is performing a high-energy dance number in a musical or delivering a quiet performance in a holiday drama, her presence continues to attract a global audience that has followed her for over twenty-five years.