The Betty Interview: Mya

The Dancing With the Stars contestant tells BettyConfidential how much she wants to win the disco ball trophy, who she’s secretly rooting for if she doesn’t, and she spills some secrets about her smokin’-hot partner, Dmitry.

- Patty Adams, BettyConfidential.com

Mya, one of the last five contestants on Dancing With the Stars, plans on clawing her way to the top of the leader board. Not even the blisters, bruises and injuries she’s sustained can stop her. “I have tunnel vision right now,” reveals Mya, 30. “I’m giving this competition my all — my blood, sweat and tears — and I’m not going to give up.”

Read The Betty Interview: V's Morena Baccarin

Much has been said about Mya’s childhood tap background (she even trained with world-renowned dancer Savion Glover!) giving her an advantage in this competition, but Mya also has a leg up for another reason. As a singer, she’s already used to the crazy 14 to 18 hours of rehearsals, fittings, tapings and interviews. “Being on Dancing With the Stars is a lot like being on tour,” says Mya, who dropped her last name, Harrison, when she released her first R&B album in 1998. “Actually, as hard and physical as this is — it’s definitely a sport — this is easier, because at least you don’t have to travel. Being on the road takes a lot out of you.”

The Grammy-winning singer behind such hits as “It’s All About Me,” “My Love is Like…Wo” and the Moulin Rouge classic “Lady Marmalade” with Christina Aguilera, Pink and Lil’ Kim, is a mezzo soprano with a four-octave range. Of Jamaican and Italian descent, the Washington D.C.-raised star is a triple threat as a singer, dancer and actress. She put all of those talents to use in a supporting role in the 2003 film adaption of the Broadway musical Chicago, which won her a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble with fellow castmates including Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger.

Hardworking Mya, who is named after the famous author and poet Maya Angelou (minus an “a”), hopes she can draw on her inner-strength to pull off a win. “I’m digging down deep and pushing through the pain,” she says. “I’m not going to lie. I want to win! If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here.” No doubt, like her namesake, she’ll rise, she’ll rise, she’ll rise.

What has being on Dancing With the Stars taught you about yourself?
It’s taught me that I’m willing to put in the time and energy and sacrifice necessary to reach my full potential.

What has been your favorite dance to do so far?
I loved the Jitterbug [from week six]. It’s such a fun, social dance.

Which celebrity dancer have you gotten closest to?
We haven’t really had the time to get too close because we’re always practicing with our partners, but I really enjoy being around Kelly Osbourne. She’s full of jokes and is a very pleasant spirit.

Which contestant have you been the most surprised by during the competition?
I thought Melissa Joan Hart’s Charleston [from week four] was amazing. The choreography was spectacular and her personality shined through. She showed so much growth.

What do viewers not get to see about your partner Dmitry Chaplin on air?
Dmitry is a pretty tough guy, not just a pretty boy. He does martial arts. And he comes across shy when you first meet him, but he has a very James Bond personality about him outside of rehearsal. He’s very suave. But you can probably tell that on TV!

Who’s your favorite judge on the show?
I have to admit, despite all the criticism, Len [Goodman] would be my favorite because he’s so honest. He doesn’t sugar-coat anything and he definitely pushes you to want more and do better, and I appreciate that.

Now you’re down to double eliminations. How does that make you feel?
Double eliminations are extra scary because you don’t have any idea who’s going. Any one of us could go home. It’s intense.

 How will you feel if you get the boot?
I’d be honored just to have been a part of this experience. It’s been a great ride and I’ve learned quite a bit so far. But more importantly, I’d like to stay on the show so I have to perfect my Knockout Dance just in case I’m in the bottom two. You can’t get too comfortable in this competition. You must always be prepared. Otherwise, it’s time to go home. Pack it up!

It sounds like it’s just as much of a mental competition as it is physical.
Oh, yeah. Always! There’s a lot of sacrifice involved in this. Your family and friends, you don’t get to see them as much — if at all. You have to control your nerves and be on your A game at all times. It’s stressful!

What would it mean for you to win?
Now knowing everything this competition entails, it would be an honor, an accomplishment. It would truly be a reward for me, my parents and my teachers from the past in music as well as tap dance.

If you couldn’t win, who would you want to take home the trophy?
Donny [Osmond] is my favorite so far. I just really enjoy watching him light up the dance floor every single night — he’s very consistent.

After the show, do you think you’ll keep up with dancing?
Yes. I love to eat, so I’m taking the opportunity to eat whatever I want right now, because my body craves it and because I’m burning it off. So this is actually something I’ve been inspired to keep in my workout regimen. Maybe not for eight hours a day, but happiness in my life is based on food, so I’m going to keep up the dancing so I can keep eating.

What are you able to indulge in now that you didn’t before?
I’m a sucker for carbs and I usually avoid them, but I’ve been stacking up on carbs and having a field day. My grandmother is Italian, so it’s in my blood to eat pastas, like manicotti. I think that’s what I’m going to have tonight! I also love lasagna and rice. I rarely eat bread, but I have been lately.

What’s your favorite healthy treat?
Sushi. I love the taste and it’s very lean. You don’t finish your meal on a full stomach and feel tired. You leave feeling very light-weight.

What exercise do you love the most?
I love boxing. It keeps me fit and toned. And for touring, it helps my wind. So I keep a jump rope on the road. And if I can’t get to the gym, there are all kinds of workouts you can do with just a phone book or a chair.

Which exercise is your idea of cruel and unusual punishment?
Jumping rope in heels. Dmitry had me doing that the week of the jive because it entails a lot of footwork and you have to lift up your feet a bit in that style. Trust me, jumping rope in heels is brutal, tiring and damaging on the feet.

What adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
Balanced, dedicated, simple. Simplicity is the key word in my life.

What is the beauty product you can’t live without?
I really love Lancome lip glosses — they’re not too sticky. They smell great, they taste great, they look great, and they’re very sheer, which I like.

What was your most embarrassing fashion moment?
Walking the red carpet with a broken heel. It happened to me a few years ago and I had to walk on my tiptoes with the foot that had the broken heel. It wasn’t my most graceful moment.

Which TV shows are you addicted to?
Family Guy, Mad TV re-runs and anything on National Geographic.

If you were going to appear on another reality TV show, which show would it be?
Fear Factor. I have a phobia of insects and spiders so I’d want to challenge myself to face my fears.

What do you do to relax?
I get massages and take a lot of hot baths.

What’s your idea of the ideal date?
Someone cooking for me. It doesn’t even matter what they make or whether it’s good, just the effort is sexy.

Marry, date or dump: Usher, John Mayer, Lil Wayne?
Oh, wow. I’ll stay single! I won’t go on any of those dates.