“I was anticipating the intractable internet memes that would inevitably follow.
And yet, I felt completely laser-focused and tranquil,” the dancer exclusively tells EW.
Alyson Stonerisnt done working it just yet.
Lex Lumens
It was the reprisal no one saw coming not even Stoner herself.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Youve been having quite a crazy few weeks!ALYSON STONER:Oh, yes.
Thats a really important elixir for mental health when youre involved with a very reliably unreliable entertainment industry.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
And then I felt something within me say, your last 20 years of experience are the perfect preparation.
All you have to do is just stay in your peace, honor Missy, and enjoy every second.
And so I did.
Ive switched my preparation.
As Im backstage, I say, I am that, as I pass everyone and everything.
I am the stagehand sweating profusely trying to set up the set.
I am the crowd screaming for their idols.
I am the person asking for spare change outside the venue.
I am the little white girl from the Missy Elliott video.
Normally, youd expect to be in that fight or flight response.
I was anticipating the intractable internet memes that would inevitably follow.
And yet, I felt completely laser-focused and tranquil.
This was a complete 180.
What was it like reuniting with Missy?
[Laughs] But Ive always admired how she maintains her team members and treats her dancers.
You wouldnt even know shes the artist, the humility she walks in and the togetherness that she fosters.
We were able to catch up.
They feel heart-to-heart, soul-to-soul, and this time I wasnt a foot-and-a-half shorter than her!
I was eye-to-eye, and that was really surreal and special.
The response to your cameo has been off the charts.
I receive it all with the utmost appreciation and optimism.
Theyre the most substantial and meaningful material Ive ever made.
Now I have a million and growing audience on Instagram to directly connect with.
[Laughs] Of course it was exciting!
It felt so divinely timed.
To be able to sit there as the adult that Ive become was its hard to describe.
It was so much fun.
We laughed a lot.
Im not even sure what I said at this point!
Im interested to see how the clip actually turns out.
What does that entail?It is the greatest undertaking Ive ever committed to pursuing.
Its a multi-directional approach.
It wont succeed with just one facet of sharing our personal anecdotes.
It wont be enough to just approach the unions and hope they listen.
It wont be enough to create the PTA for parents within the union to meet and greet.
But altogether I think there can be legitimate systemic infrastructural changes and they can protect the artist.
And also theres an economic incentive.
Were already seeing changes being made.
There are small steps.
Its definitely not enough.
That can permeate into mental health practitioners in every industry.
If not me, then who?
So it begins within.
That goes into what my podcast is about Simplexity, which is launching this fall.
Im bringing in experts from every field to help simplify the complexities of life.
So far, the response, honestly, is overwhelming.
Im down to a healthy weight and it transformed my life.
Thats never going to get old to hear, because its bigger than me.
