From Dancing in Missy Elliot’s Videos When She Was Younger to Becoming A Triple Threat Herself Now, ALYSON STONER Discusses It All!

Meet triple threat actress/singer/dancer Alyson Stoner! You know her from the headlines she made earlier this year with her Missy Elliott Tribute video that garnered over 15 million views in record time, as well as on the big screen on hits like Cheaper By The Dozen and the Step Up franchise. She has teased her musical talents through various collaborations with everyone from Tyler Ward, Leroy Sanchez and Max & Kurt Schneider to Casey Abrams [American Idol] and she’s carved out a devoted following and accumulated over 70,000,000 YouTube views along the way.

Many will remember her as the “little pigtailed dancer from the Missy videos” – she is proving with her music debut of “WOMAN” (a new single set to release in February) she is not a little girl anymore. Not only is she an astounding vocalist, but she is a songwriter as well! She penned her previous hit “Pretty Girl” for her film Sugar Babies (Lifetime original movie) and she wrote “WOMAN” in a matter of minutes after being inspired by this new chapter in life. The song showcases her expansive vocal range over a sexy, swinging beat and instantly invigorating groove.

“WOMAN” reflects the personal transformation Alyson has been making over the years, especially this last year. Having been seen starring alongside Hollywood favorites such as Hilary Duff, Demi Lovato and others- she realized if she was looking to society to tell her who she should be, but she recently realized she didn’t need to feel validated by the world… she just had to overcome her worst enemy… herself.

Here is the pre-order link to “Woman: http://radi.al/AlysonStonerWoman

Learn more about Alyson Stoner in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! So, what’s on your schedule the rest of today?

Hi, thanks for chatting! Yikes, today I have vocal rehearsal for a music performance, dance rehearsal for an awards show honoring my Missy Elliott Tribute, a meeting at E! Entertainment and a call with the founder of a nonprofit to discuss sustainability in Korah, Ethiopia. I’m also hoping to mail out 40 fan letters if there’s time.

What are you most excited about for 2016? Did you make any new years resolutions? What were some of the highlights for you in 2015?

2016- This is the year of MUSIC! I look forward to carving my own lane and sharing my authentic voice.

2015 was incredible! I had five movie releases (The A List, Hoovey, Sugar Babies, Summer Forever, and Kadence), my Missy Elliott Tribute video went viral (15+ million), I performed at Madison Square Garden, I discovered was I was 6th most trending actress on Google’s #YearInSearch, featured as Maxim’s Hot 10, we reached 70 million views on YouTube, premiered my video for “Pretty Girls” on Billboard.com, and my humanitarian trip to Ethiopia with I Pour Life organization were all major highlights.

This year my goal is to take greater creative risks and grow through discomfort, failure, and facing fears. I’m about to share my story, experiences and humanity very vulnerably and let journey unfold.

Take our readers back to you first getting picked to be in Missy Elliot’s video. How did that happen? Did you know that that was going to be the start of your career? Can you remember what filming that video was like?

I was one in a sea of several hundred children auditioning for Missy that day. I didn’t know who she was or what she sang, and my family later discovered her song had quite suggestive lyrics. My mom made sure what we’d be doing was appropriate. Missy’s team was incredibly respectful and welcoming and the experience was unforgettable. To this day, I am indebted to her for being bravely controversial and progressive, inviting a young Caucasian girl to dance in a hip-hop video. She’s a visionary and an icon.

Can you talk about getting involved with the recent Missy Elliot tribute video?

On a plane ride home, I received 400 messages stating Missy surprised everybody at the Super Bowl. Then media confronted me and asked why I wasn’t involved. I wanted to show respect and honor, so I rapidly coordinated a group of 30 dancers, a videographer/editor, location, and with my publicist’s help, locked in an exclusive release through Buzzfeed. Within 3 days, it was created, completed, and trending worldwide.

Tell us about your music debut, “Woman”? Where did the inspiration for it come from?

“Woman” is much more than a statement of gender. It is my transition from child to adult, from backup to lead, from feeling self-defeated to empowered. It is a declaration of taking responsibility for my life and dream with passion and conviction.

How is “Woman” different or similar to your previous releases like “Pretty Girl”? Will your other new music sound similar to it?

“Pretty Girls” was strictly created as the opening song for my film, Sugar Babies. “Woman” is the first taste of my personal musical sound- a percussive, rhythmic pop with high energy and international groove.

What generally inspires you and your music?

We are all artists, painting the story of our lives with our daily choices and situations. Whether we express ourselves in numbers, colors, silence or sound, we have a vast universe happening inside and outside of us. Through music and acting, I explore the depths and extremities of our condition. It’s messy and unpredictable. For as creative and unique as we are individually, life always shows just how connected and similar we all are.

Growing up, did you always want to be an artist? Was there ever a time when you thought of doing something else?

No, I was actually severely left-brain-dominant as a child. I did math worksheets for fun and strove for rigid academic success. I scratched the surface of neuroscience and psychology. Art was this singular driving force that demanded I be present, connected to my emotions, and vulnerable. It’s my greatest life instructor. I’m grateful it found me so young.

As a triple threat-actress, singer and actress, do you have a favorite? What would you consider your first and perhaps greatest passion?

I likely won’t ever be able to choose a favorite. I don’t need to. Dance happened first chronologically, but acting and music inspire life and vitality just as significantly.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope listeners take away from your songs?

One, whatever mood you’re in, whatever situation… There’s a song for it, and you’re not alone. Two, life is full. Live the adventure, embrace the struggle, reach for greatness and reflect on the moment. Make the most of it…all of it.

Would you like to share anything else with our readers about yourself or your music? 

I’ll let the music speak for itself. As for your readers: follow the vitality.

Thank you!

-Alyson