James Johnson
Two decades after their iconic collaboration, the “Work It” dancer opens up about their enduring bond, Coachella rumors, and celebrating Missy Elliott simply as a fan.
Alyson Stoner is setting the record straight on why she didn’t join Missy Elliott on stage at Coachella earlier this year — and it has nothing to do with drama, but everything to do with respect.
The 31-year-old actress and dancer — best known for her unforgettable moves as a 9-year-old in Missy Elliott’s 2002 “Work It” music video — recently shared in an interview with Entertainment Weekly at San Diego Comic-Con why she wasn’t part of Elliott’s headline-worthy festival performance. While many fans were hoping for a surprise reunion like their viral 2019 MTV Video Music Awards appearance, Stoner gracefully stepped back, saying, “I think when I went out with Missy for the VMAs, that was a pretty big splash and hard to beat.”
She emphasized her admiration for the hip-hop icon: “Missy stands on her own. She’s got quite a discography, and it’s an honor any time I get to visit with her… I’m absolutely, mostly, just a fan with everyone else.”
During Coachella, Elliott opted not to include any surprise guests during either of her weekend performances, instead commanding the stage solo with electric renditions of hits like “Gossip Folks,” “Lose Control,” and of course, “Work It,” backed by a dynamic troupe of dancers.
Stoner also reflected on how her connection to the legendary music video still resonates. “I just took a dance class the other day and we were warming up to Missy tracks… and someone looked over and saw that I was in class and they were like, ‘Should I change it?’ And I was like, ‘No! Her music is so solid.’”
The pair’s reunion at the 2019 VMAs clearly holds a special place in Stoner’s heart. “We were able to catch up,” she recalled of the moment. “It was a lot of very sincere but quick small talk because we had to immediately prep the section, but I am a huge fan of her embrace — her hugs are so special. They feel heart-to-heart, soul-to-soul… and this time I wasn’t a foot-and-a-half shorter than her! I was eye-to-eye, and that was really surreal and special.”
While fans may not have seen Stoner at Coachella this year, her continued admiration for Missy Elliott and their shared legacy in pop culture remains as vibrant as ever — a reminder that sometimes, standing back and cheering someone on is the ultimate tribute.
