Mya, the Grammy-winning pop star who had been expected to make her Broadway debut on May 12 as Velma Kelly in Chicago, has bowed out of the production due to a broken foot. She had been scheduled for a nine-week engagement at the Ambassador Theatre in the role currently being played by Brenda Braxton.
"In the theater industry, we are sometimes forced to deal with circumstances beyond our
control," producer Barry Weissler said in a statement. "But speaking for the entire Chicago creative
team, we all wish her a speedy recovery, and look forward to experiencing her portrayal
of Velma Kelly as soon as possible."
Mya first earned recognition as an R&B star in 1998, when she sang the hook on the Grammy-nominated hit "Ghetto Supastar" by Ol' Dirty Bastard and Pras. She has since released four solo albums, two of which have been certified multi-platinum, and several Top Ten hits, including "Case of the Ex" and the Missy Elliott-produced "My Love Is Like…Wo." In 2001, she collaborated with Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim and Pink on a remake of the song "Lady Marmalade" for the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. The single sold 5.5 million copies, win her a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration and become the most successful airplay-only single in history.
Mya made her film debut in the 1999 movie In Too Deep before appearing as Mona in the 2002 film version of Chicago, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. She has since appeard in Volcano High, Shall We Dance? and Cursed.
