Mya, 44, Shines at Essence Festival, 26 Years After Her First Hit

This summer, R&B singer Mya dazzled audiences at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans. Celebrating the festival’s 30th anniversary, the singer, who made her mark in 1998 with her debut album, showcased her enduring talent and style. Over the years, Mya has excelled as a dancer, singer, and actor, proving she remains a formidable presence in the entertainment industry.

At the festival, Mya collaborated with My Black is Beautiful, a haircare line that has been honoring Black beauty and culture since 2006. She sported an off-the-shoulder shirt emblazoned with the brand’s logo and posed at their booth located in the festival’s Creator House.

Mya paired her stylish shirt with tight black mini shorts, skin-tone fishnets, and black, lace-up, thigh-high boots. She completed her striking look with glittering rhinestoned sunglasses and silver hoop earrings.

The “It’s All About Me” singer opted for a classic glam look for her hair and makeup. She radiated elegance with a bold red lip, half-up half-down hairstyle, and French tip nails.

The Grammy-winning artist relished the night with her fellow attendees, including fellow singer Victoria Monét. Monét, who performed on the festival’s third night, enthusiastically embraced Mya at The Fillmore, a prominent music venue in New Orleans.

Mya also shared moments with DJ and record producer D-Nice. The duo made a striking pair, with Mya in her all-black ensemble and D-Nice in an all-white outfit.

One of the festival’s highlights was Mya’s performance on AT&T’s Dream in Black stage. Speaking ahead of her performance, she expressed her excitement about taking to the stage.

“I’m looking forward to headlining the AT&T Dream in Black connected stage as we gear up to celebrate thirty years of ESSENCE Festival,” she told Billboard. “I know I’ll cherish this performance because it gives me the opportunity to connect with my fans and take them through my journey as an artist as we reflect on the last three decades of art and culture within the Black community.”

In another interview, Mya spoke about how inspiring she found the festival and her performance opportunity.

“Right off the bat, I thought it was an interesting idea, the Dream in Black [platform] celebrating Black culture,” she told AdWeek. “And New Orleans itself is a beautiful place with so much culture and a place that everyone comes to. It’s also Essence’s 30th celebration, a huge milestone. I love being a part of cultural events. All the aspects of Essence Fest — I love what it stands for. It’s motivating, it’s inspiring, it’s empowering.”

Mya continues to influence a new generation of performers with her music. In 2024, she released new tracks “Anytime” and “So Hype.” In addition to her musical endeavors, she remains committed to philanthropic efforts.