Missy Elliott is gearing up for her first-ever headlining tour, the Out of This World Tour. Before hitting the road, she opened up about her 16-year battle with Graves’ disease. In an interview with People Magazine, Elliott shared how her 2008 diagnosis impacted her life and career. The Virginia native emphasized her gratitude, stating, “Every day I wake, I’m blessed to be here and in good health.”
Despite the challenges, Missy has managed to maintain her health through medication. “I’m feeling so much better now,” she said. “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.” Her morning routine, which includes walking and praying, has been a source of inspiration for her creative ideas. “I say my prayers as I’m walking, and then all of these ideas start coming to mind,” she added.
Missy Elliott’s Journey Back to Touring
The upcoming tour marks the first time Missy has toured since 2004. That year, she toured with Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and Tamia for the Verizon Ladies First Tour. Her last album, The Cookbook, was released in 2005. The prolonged break from touring was partly due to her battle with Graves’ disease, which caused severe weight loss and depression.
Missy’s return to the stage is a significant milestone in her life. She announced the Out of This World Tour in April, featuring Ciara and Busta Rhymes. In a sci-fi-inspired trailer on Instagram, she expressed her excitement, saying, “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.”
Her enthusiasm is shared by her tourmates. “Missy has always been one of my greatest inspirations and like a big sister to me,” Ciara told People. “She has always raised the bar to the highest level, and I feel so blessed that we have been able to share some of our biggest hits together.”
Missy Elliott is excited to share this experience with her fans. “Fans have been asking me to tour forever, but I wanted to wait until I felt the time was right,” she said. “I knew if I was ever going to do it, I had to do it big, and I had to do it with family!”
The Out of This World Tour kicks off on July 4 at Vancouver, BC’s Rogers Arena. With her health in check and her creative energy at its peak, Missy Elliott is ready to take her fans on an unforgettable journey. “I have no doubt we are going to give the fans an out of this world experience,” Ciara added.
Missy Elliott’s resilience and creativity continue to inspire fans and fellow artists alike. Her journey through illness and back to the stage is a testament to her enduring spirit and talent.