Rapid Teen Models 18+

It’s Mya, the ugly chic who sang the hook in Ghetto Superstar (that tasteless summer ‘hit’ from a couple years ago). Except, when I saw her in a newer video the other day she looked quite a bit hotter!

Yes, this is the singer I once described as resembling a cross between a slightly-melted Treasure Troll and a gangly 11 year old boy. Mya has once again caught my attention in her video My Love is Like Wo. Although the viddy was released almost two years ago I hadn’t seen it until recently and it starkly contrasted with what I remembered her to look like from her earlier appearances – butt ugly!

Don’t get me wrong, she is still the near-talentless showbiz droid that doesn’t write, produce or probably even sing her string of mostly forgettable tunes. Indeed, such image-based singing careers have become the hallmark for musicians of her generation. But this video had me thinking: did her looks really improve, or have I just adopted new tastes and standards since initially writing her off as too fugly in ‘99?

Other kinda-black popstars, such as Alicia Keyes and Ashanti have experienced amazing overnight success by looking incredibly hot right out of the box. Being easy on the eyes is surely the fastest path to stardom, especially in a genre like R&B where actual musical talent is on a similar level to that of rap music. But poor Mya, her hideous visage has dogged her career since her debut and as a result she has never received the same level of success or acclaim as her better-looking peers.

I’ve noticed that her production crew uses a lot of pomp and glitz to mask her squeaky attempt at vocals and her physically awkward appearance. The direction in My Love is Like Wo seems to be always focused away from her face, usually highlighting her ass, clothing accessories or strip routine. But this time, against all odds, it somehow comes together quite perfectly! The smart and tricky editing, the sole focus on the performer and the sexy costumes all showcase this girl in the best possible light.

So despite my heavy critique, I’m willing to admit that I find myself slightly more attracted to Mya. I feel like I’ve been swindled out of my senses by slick photography and buckets of makeup, for it’s obvious that Mya is no Aaliyah, but it’s also undeniable that she sports some killer dance moves and has a real stage presence.

Don’t even attempt to make sense of this post by re-reading any part. How reflecting on my feelings about an overrated R&B singer warrants a post on this illustrious blog — god only knows! Go hit up the video remix below. You’ll like it because I didn’t use her music.