As Missy Elliott gears up for her highly anticipated “Out of This World Tour,” she has opened up about a personal battle that has significantly impacted her life and career. The iconic “Get Ur Freak On” artist revealed she has been living with Graves’ disease for the past 16 years.
The Virginia native, who is preparing for her first headlining tour in nearly two decades, shared her journey with the autoimmune disorder in a recent interview with People. Diagnosed in 2008, Missy Elliott has faced numerous challenges due to the disease, including severe weight loss, fatigue, hair loss, irregular heartbeat, and anxiety. Despite these obstacles, she remains positive and grateful for the treatments that have helped manage her condition.
“Every day I wake, I’m blessed to be here and in good health,” Elliott said. “I’m feeling so much better now. That was a run. Every now and then you get a little ache in the leg or the knee, but outside of that, I feel good.”
Graves’ disease, which affects about 1% of the U.S. population, disrupts the function of the thyroid gland. Although there is no cure, various treatments can help manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life for those affected. Missy Elliott credits her medication and morning routine for her improved health and creative resurgence.
“Listen, every morning my regimen is I get up, wash my face, brush my teeth, and walk,” she explained. “I say my prayers as I’m walking, and then all of these ideas start coming to mind. I’ll call everybody like, ‘I want to swing from this,’ and they’re like, ‘Do you know how much that costs?’”
Elliott’s upcoming “Out of This World Tour” marks her return to the stage after a long hiatus. Her last tour was in 2004, when she joined Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and Tamia for the Verizon Ladies First Tour. Her most recent album, *The Cookbook*, was released in 2005. Elliott’s extended break from touring was largely due to her battle with Graves’ disease.
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Announced in April, the “Out of This World Tour” will feature special guests Ciara and Busta Rhymes. Elliott shared the exciting news with a sci-fi-inspired trailer on Instagram, celebrating this new chapter in her illustrious career.
“This is an incredible time in my life as I am experiencing so many milestone ‘firsts.’ Being the FIRST female Hip Hop artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and now going out on my FIRST headline tour,” Elliott enthused. “Fans have been asking me to tour forever, but I wanted to wait until I felt the time was right because I knew if I was ever going to do it, I had to do it big, and I had to do it with family! So get ready to be taken OUT OF THIS WORLD with me. Busta Rhymes, Ciara, and Timbaland! We can’t wait to share this experience with the fans!”
As Missy Elliott prepares to take the stage once again, her story of resilience and determination serves as an inspiration to many. Her ability to overcome personal health challenges while continuing to innovate and entertain speaks volumes about her strength and dedication to her craft. Fans eagerly await the chance to see her perform live and celebrate her enduring legacy in the music industry.
