Over twenty years after the release of “Lady Marmalade,” Mya is finally setting the story straight.
The Grammy-winning singer is clearing up long-standing rumors about drama between her, Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Lil’ Kim during the filming of the 2001 hit.
Despite the chatter that has followed the video for decades, Mya says her experience was nothing but positive.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Mya stated, “I personally never witnessed any catfights, nothing,” she said. “Whatever was supposedly going on, I had no eyes. I had no ears to even have a clue that’s if it existed at all.”
Much of the gossip over the years has centered around Pink and Aguilera, with people claiming the two clashed on set. Both women have addressed those rumors, shutting them down. Aguilera told Cosmopolitan in 2021, “There was no drama whatsoever when all of us were on that stage together. We just all got into our zones, our own zones, our own place as artists. We were all super professional. I think the overall goal was to go big or go home.”
Pink also reflected on her experience, admitting it was not her favorite video to film, but clarifying that there is no bad blood today.
“To Christina, you know where we stand,” she wrote in 2023. “Resolved. Onwards and upwards.”
When it came time to record their version of the Patti LaBelle classic, Mya explained that each artist laid down their vocals separately because of packed touring schedules.
“We all got it done. We walked in the studio. We laid backgrounds. We did our leads in separate sessions. I think everyone had a schedule and was on tour and doing things at the time,” she recalled. “I went first because nobody wanted to volunteer, and I’m pretty shy, but none of us were raising our hands. So I just jumped in. I said, ‘I’ll go first.’”
After recording, the group reunited to rehearse the dance scenes that would define the glamorous, burlesque-style music video. Working with famed choreographer Tina Landon, Mya remembered the rehearsals as lively and full of good energy.
“We got in the studio with Tina Landon, choreographer extraordinaire, and learned the choreography in these character modes,” she said. “We were playing characters. It was good vibes. We kind of goofed around in rehearsals sometimes while we were learning all this tough stuff.”
Even though the choreography was intense, Mya remembers the cast bonding during breaks. One moment in particular stood out for her, a simple lunch outing that turned into one of her favorite memories.
“In the midst of dance rehearsals, we’re learning all this choreography within a very short period of time, and of course, in dance rehearsals, you’re doing things over and over and over again so that your body can absorb it and remember it,” she explained. “We all went out to a Mexican restaurant. It was really cool, campy, chill vibes. We sat there to eat and just hung out. It was fun to get that one-on-one personal time outside of just work.”
Reflecting on that day, she smiled, saying, “So I really remember and cherish that moment.”
As for the chance of the four stars reuniting for the song’s 25th anniversary in 2026, Mya kept it short but hopeful.
“All I can say is fingers crossed. That’s all I can give you.”
