Kaya Jones

Last updated
Kaya Jones
Kaya Jones by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Jones performing in 2018
Background information
Birth nameChrystal Neria [1]
Born (1984-08-28) August 28, 1984 (age 39)
Toronto, Canada
Origin Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Genres Pop
Occupations
  • Singer
  • dancer
  • DJ
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • violin
Years active2001–present
Labels
Website www.kayajones.com
huemanracerecords.com
twitter.com/KayaJones

Chrystal Neria (born August 28, 1984), [1] known professionally as Kaya Jones, is a Canadian-born American singer and model. She originally became known in 2003 for performing with the American girl group the Pussycat Dolls. Since 2004, she has pursued a solo career in music. In 2017, she joined the National Diversity Coalition for Trump as their Native American Ambassador for Trump. [2]

Contents

Early life

Chrystal Neria was born in Toronto, Ontario and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Career

After Robin Antin struck a deal with Interscope Records to form the Pussycat Dolls into a brand, auditions were held for a recording group that would not include celebrity members. In December 2003, Jones was recruited as a vocalist alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Melody Thornton. She performed with the group for the first time on February 13, 2004, where they performed "Big Spender" live at the MTV Asia Awards. Jones provided vocals for "We Went as Far as We Felt Like Going" for the Shark Tale soundtrack and the single, "Sway" which is featured on the soundtrack of Shall We Dance? , as well as appearing in the music video for the latter. She performed with the group at the VH1 Divas 2004 where they sung "Tainted Love" (with Carmen Electra), "You Can Leave Your Hat On" (with Tom Jones) and "Girls on Film" before joining the headliners in a finale performance of "New Attitude" alongside Patti LaBelle. The group also performed "Tainted Love" at the 2004 Fashion Rocks, along with Marc Almond.

There has been controversy over whether or not she was ever a full member of the group. Antin has stated that Jones "was never an official member of the group". [3] Jones left the group in September 2004 while the group was recording their debut album, claiming that it was no longer fun to be in the band. She told Yahoo! Singapore, "When everyone is not on the same page it affects the group so that I think was the worst part and I decided to leave". [4] Jones repeatedly made allegations that the Pussycat Dolls was a prostitution ring. [5] [1] [6] She has claimed that she and her bandmates were abused by music industry executives. The group has denied the allegations. [7]

After appearing with the Pussycat Dolls, Jones began a solo career in music. She released her first single, "Hollywood Doll," in 2009. Her next single, "Take It Off," was performed with DJ Regi and had a lukewarm reception in Europe, where it charted in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Belgium. In 2011, Jones started a record company called HueMan Race Records, Inc. [4] Jones won a Grammy Award in 2019 for a collaboration with gospel artist Jason Crabb.

Politics

Jones is a conservative, previously registering as a Democrat but switching after becoming a born-again Christian, and an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump. [8] She has appeared on the Fox News show Hannity several times, beginning with an appearance in June 2017. [8]

In December 2017, Jones announced she had joined the National Diversity Coalition for Trump, where she is listed as a director with the title Native American Ambassador for Trump. [9] With this announcement, she began to draw heavy criticism from prominent members of the Native American community, and accusations of being a "pretendian". [10] [11] [2] Jones has claimed to have Apache heritage, but Native American journalists state that no Apache tribe claims her, and that there is no confirmation of any Native ancestry for Jones. [2] In 2018, Chuck Hoskin Jr., then-Secretary of State of the Cherokee Nation, cited genealogist David Cornsilk in a statement saying that Jones is not a member of any federally recognized Native American tribe. [12]

Discography

Related Research Articles

"¿Quién será?" is a bolero-mambo song written by Mexican composers Luis Demetrio and Pablo Beltrán Ruiz. Beltrán recorded the song for the first time with his orchestra in 1953. Pedro Infante, for whom the song was written, recorded it in 1954.

"Don't Cha" is a song written by Busta Rhymes and CeeLo Green, and produced by the latter. The chorus is a slightly modified interpolation of the chorus line sung by Sir Mix-a-Lot in a song he wrote called "Swass" (1988). The song was originally recorded and published in 2004 by Tori Alamaze, former backing vocalist for the hip hop duo OutKast, and was released as her debut single. After minor success, and dissatisfaction with Universal Records, Alamaze gave up her rights to the song.

<i>PCD</i> (album) 2005 studio album by the Pussycat Dolls

PCD is the debut studio album by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls, released on September 12, 2005, by A&M Records. In 1995, the Pussycat Dolls were created as a burlesque troupe by choreographer Robin Antin. After attracting media attention, Antin struck a joint venture with Interscope Records to develop the Pussycat Dolls into a brand, with Jimmy Iovine assigning the project to Ron Fair. As one of the executive producers Fair produced the majority of the album and collaborated with producers like Kwamé, Polow da Don and Rich Harrison. The music style of PCD was described as pop/R&B and urban dance-pop. Lyrically the album incorporates sexual innuendo and explores the themes of feminism and romance. It features guest vocals from rappers Busta Rhymes, Timbaland and will.i.am.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashley Roberts</span> American television presenter (born 1981)

Ashley Allyn Roberts is an American singer and media personality. She is a former member of the pop group The Pussycat Dolls, one of the world's best-selling girl groups. Roberts also had a brief career as a solo singer when she released the album Butterfly Effect (2014), and the singles "Yesterday", Woman Up" and "Clockwork".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kimberly Wyatt</span> American television personality and singer (born 1982)

Kimberly Kaye Wyatt is an American singer, dancer, actress, and television personality. She is a former member of the pop girl group and dance ensemble The Pussycat Dolls and the pop duo Her Majesty & the Wolves (2010–2014). As an actress, she is known for her roles as Siyotanka in the American comedy series Poor Paul (2009–2011) and Sasha in the British musical drama series Almost Never (2019–2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carmit Bachar</span> American dancer, choreographer and singer (born 1974)

Carmit Maile Bachar is an American dancer, choreographer and singer. She is a former member of the pop groups The Pussycat Dolls (2003–2008) and LadyStation (2011–2016). As a dancer, she has been on tour with Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Ricky Martin and No Doubt and in music videos for various artists, such as Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, The Black Eyed Peas, The Offspring, Aaliyah and Beyoncé.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robin Antin</span> American dancer

Robin Antin is an American dancer and choreographer. In 1995, she founded the modern burlesque troupe the Pussycat Dolls. By 2005, she diversified into various media including a pop recording group with international hits, a Las Vegas nightclub venue and floor show, various merchandise, and a reality television series. Since then, she has gone on to create other girl groups, including G.R.L., Girlicious and Paradiso Girls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessica Sutta</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1982)

Jessica Lynn Sutta is an American singer, songwriter and former actress. She is a former member of the pop group The Pussycat Dolls. As a solo artist, Sutta shelved her first attempt with a debut album, Sutta Pop (2012), but went on to release two studio albums Feline Resurrection (2016) and I Say Yes (2017) and reached four number ones on US Dance Club Songs, becoming the only former The Pussycat Dolls' member to reach the top of an American chart.

<i>Pussycat Dolls Present</i> American reality television series

Pussycat Dolls Present is an American reality television series that premiered on March 6, 2007 on The CW, and took place over the course of eight weeks. It was a joint venture between Ken Mok's 10 by 10 Entertainment, Pussycat LLC, and Warner Horizon Television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicole Scherzinger</span> American singer (born 1978)

Nicole Scherzinger is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and television personality. She is a former member of the pop group and dance ensemble The Pussycat Dolls. With over 55 million records sold worldwide, The Pussycat Dolls are one of the world's best-selling female groups of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Pussycat Dolls</span> American girl group and dance ensemble

The Pussycat Dolls were an American girl group and dance ensemble, founded in Los Angeles, California, by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995 as a burlesque troupe. At the suggestion of Jimmy Iovine, Antin decided to take the burlesque troupe mainstream as a pop group. Antin negotiated a record deal with Interscope Geffen A&M Records in 2003 turning the group into a music franchise comprising Nicole Scherzinger, Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, Melody Thornton, and Kimberly Wyatt. Their debut single, "Sway", was featured on the soundtrack of the 2004 film Shall We Dance?.

Asia Nitollano is an American singer, dancer, model and cheerleader. After winning the television series Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll, Nitollano became a member of the Pussycat Dolls, only to leave a few months later to pursue a solo career.

<i>Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll</i> American TV series or program

Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll is the first season of Pussycat Dolls Present that premiered on March 6, 2007 on The CW, and aired for a total of eight weeks. It was a joint venture between Ken Mok's 10x10 Entertainment, Pussycat LLC, Interscope A&M Records, Wonderland Sound and Vision, and Warner Horizon Television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girlicious</span> American girl group

Girlicious was an American girl group originally formed by Robin Antin, creator of the Pussycat Dolls, from The CW reality TV show Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious. The group was originally signed to Geffen Records and composed of members Nichole Cordova, Tiffanie Anderson, Chrystina Sayers and Natalie Mejia. Their self-titled debut album was released in Canada in August 2008 and reached number two on the Canadian Albums Chart. After Anderson left the group in June 2009, Girlicious signed with Universal Music Canada and released their second studio album, Rebuilt, in November 2010. Mejia and Sayers departed the group in February 2011. Nichole Cordova later announced the end of Girlicious, and her joining a new girl group called Girls United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simone Battle</span> American singer (1989–2014)

Simone Sherise Battle was an American singer, dancer and actress. She was a finalist on The X Factor in 2011 and a member of the girl group G.R.L. from 2012 until her death in 2014. The group was best known for their singles "Vacation", "Ugly Heart" and "Wild Wild Love" with Pitbull. Following her death, the group dedicated their single "Lighthouse" to Battle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">G.R.L.</span> American girl group

G.R.L. is an American girl group formed by Robin Antin. The group consists of members Lauren Bennett, Natasha Slayton, and Emmalyn Estrada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kasia Moś</span> Polish singer and dancer

Katarzyna "Kasia" Moś is a Polish singer, songwriter, and dancer. She was previously a member of The Pussycat Dolls Burlesque Revue in 2011, and in 2012, she came third in the third series of the Polish version of Must Be the Music. She represented Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song "Flashlight", and finished in 22nd place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Pussycat Dolls Tour</span> Cancelled 2021 concert tour by the Pussycat Dolls

The Pussycat Dolls Tour was the planned third concert tour by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls. It was announced in 2019, when Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts, Carmit Bachar, Kimberly Wyatt and Jessica Sutta revealed that they were reforming for new music and a brand new concert tour. Former member Melody Thornton declined to reunite but decided to continue with her career as a solo recording artist. The announcement followed the release of "React", the first new song by the group in more than a decade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">React (The Pussycat Dolls song)</span> 2020 single by The Pussycat Dolls

"React" is a song recorded by American girl group The Pussycat Dolls and was released by Access Records on February 7, 2020. It is the group's first song in over a decade, the last being 2009's "Hush Hush; Hush Hush", and is their first independent release since partnering with First Access Entertainment. "React" sees the return of Carmit Bachar who left the group before the release of their last album, Doll Domination (2008), although it does not feature Melody Thornton, who opted out of the reunion citing the desire to continue with her own solo music career. It was written by group member Nicole Scherzinger, along with Georgia Buchanan, Johan Gustafsson, William Simister, and Hannah Wilson. It was produced by Gustafson, Will Simms, and Swedish producer Ivares.

Pretendian is a pejorative colloquialism used to call out a person who has falsely claimed Indigenous identity by professing to be a citizen of a Native American or Indigenous Canadian tribal nation, or to be descended from Native American or Indigenous Canadian ancestors. As a practice, being a pretendian is considered an extreme form of cultural appropriation, especially if that individual then asserts that they can represent, and speak for, communities from which they do not originate. It is sometimes also referred to as a form of fraud, ethnic fraud or race shifting.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Caslin, Yvette (17 October 2017). "Pussycat Doll accuses band of prostitution, but says R. Kelly never tried her". Rolling Out. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 Hughes, Art (December 26, 2017). "Monday, January 8, 2018 — Native American ambassador…Kaya Jones?". Native America Calling -Your National Electronic Talking Circle. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  3. ↑ Willis, Jackie (October 16, 2017). "Pussycat Dolls Founder Robin Antin Slams Kaya Jones' Claims that the Group Was a 'Prostitution Ring'". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  4. 1 2 Chai, Gail (August 3, 2012). "Ex-Pussycat Dolls member Kaya Jones: It was no longer fun". Yahoo!. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  5. ↑ Harrison, Lilly (15 October 2017). "Former Pussycat Dolls Member Kaya Jones Calls the Group a Prostitution Ring". E News. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  6. ↑ Petit, Stephanie (October 16, 2017). "Pussycat Dolls Founder Robin Antin Denies Member Kaya Jones' Claim She Was Victimized as Part of 'Prostitution Ring'". People. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  7. ↑ Maslow, Nick (October 18, 2017). "Pussycat Dolls slam 'prostitution ring' claims". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  8. 1 2 Plott, Elaina (October 19, 2017). "How a Former Pussycat Doll Became a Darling of the Right". Washingtonian. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Who We Are". National Diversity Council Trump. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  10. ↑ Furdyk, Brent (December 31, 2017). "Cher Refuses To Apologize For 'Half-Breed' After Twitter War Fuelled By Trump's Diversity Coalition Appointee". ET Canada . Archived from the original on January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2018. Numerous Twitter users have balked at her claims, referring to Jones as a "pretendian" ... If you need evidence that Kayla is absolutely a pretendian, here it is
  11. ↑ "Kaya Jones: The "Apache" Native American Ambassador For Trump". Stop Tribal Genocide. December 26, 2017. Archived from the original on Jan 30, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Response to Diversity Council Announcement". Facebook. January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.