Standing Alone: Alyson Stoner On Why She Skipped Missy Elliott’s Coachella Set

Alyson Stoner, the dancer whose iconic moves in the “Work It” music video cemented their place in pop culture history, recently addressed why they did not join Missy Elliott on stage during her high-profile 2025 Coachella performances. Stoner, who first gained fame at age nine dancing in Elliott’s videos, explained that while the rapper is an icon and any opportunity to work with her is an honor, Elliott is more than capable of commanding the stage entirely on her own. This decision follows a highly publicized reunion between the two at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) in 2019, which created massive buzz. Stoner’s comments, made while promoting their memoir and new projects, highlight a grounded perspective on their long-standing professional relationship, emphasizing that Missy Elliott’s expansive discography and artistry are enough to carry any major festival set.

The Shadow of the “Work It” Legacy

Alyson Stoner is indelibly linked to Missy Elliott through the rapper’s groundbreaking early 2000s music videos, most notably the 2002 smash hit “Work It.” As a child dancer with pigtails and undeniable swagger, Stoner became a cultural fixture, appearing in a total of four of Elliott’s videos. Even more than two decades later, this early collaboration remains the primary touchpoint for many fans and the public when interacting with Stoner.

Stoner has consistently acknowledged the profound impact of this work, often sharing that they are frequently approached by fans who still remember the performance. In recent interviews, Stoner mentioned taking a dance class where the warm-up tracks were Missy Elliott songs, illustrating the timeless and solid nature of Elliott’s music. The enduring power of that early work means that the public perpetually links the two, constantly hoping for an on-stage reunion, even two decades after their initial breakthrough.

Explaining the Coachella Absence

When asked why they didn’t make a surprise appearance during Missy Elliott’s highly anticipated Coachella set, Alyson Stoner offered a respectful and clear explanation. They noted that their previous reunion with Elliott, which took place during the rapper’s epic Video Vanguard medley performance at the 2019 VMAs, was a “pretty big splash” and a difficult moment to surpass.

More significantly, Stoner emphasized the sheer quality and strength of Elliott’s own body of work, stating simply, “Missy stands on her own.” The comment served as a powerful testament to Elliott’s legacy, suggesting that an appearance by Stoner was unnecessary because the rapper possesses an “amazing discography” that needs no celebrity enhancements. Elliott performed a bevy of hits at the festival, including “Gossip Folks,” “Work It,” and “Lose Control,” accompanied only by her own group of backup dancers, a clear demonstration of her ability to command the vast Coachella stage without a cameo.

The Reality of a Professional Relationship

Despite the close working relationship that defined their childhood fame, Alyson Stoner has worked to clarify the purely professional nature of their bond with Missy Elliott. In recent social media content, Stoner humorously addressed the frequent assumption that they are close friends with the rap star. Stoner pointed out that they were just nine years old when they first worked together over two decades ago, emphasizing that a close, personal friendship would have been inappropriate given their age difference and professional setting.

Stoner’s stance is one of profound professional respect and gratitude, rather than personal intimacy. They have previously spoken about their reunion with Elliott at the VMAs being “surreal and special,” particularly because they were finally “eye-to-eye” with the star, a stark contrast to being a foot-and-a-half shorter as a child. This careful distinction helps manage public expectations while reinforcing that the relationship has always been rooted in mutual admiration for artistry and performance.

A Focus on New Beginnings

Alyson Stoner’s public explanations regarding Missy Elliott come as they transition into a new phase of their career, marked by the release of their memoir, Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything. These new projects mark Stoner’s shift toward greater candor about their experiences as a child star and their personal journey.

By firmly but gracefully addressing the perennial question of a Missy Elliott reunion, Stoner is able to redirect the public’s focus toward their current creative endeavors. The clarification that “good artistry is good artistry” and that they are “mostly, just a fan with everyone else” serves to both honor Elliott’s legacy and assert their own independence as a multifaceted artist and author. It is a necessary step in evolving their public narrative beyond the iconic image of the nine-year-old dancer with the unique hip-hop moves.