The Disease That Got In The Way Of Missy Elliott's Career

Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott rose to fame in the late 90's due to her eccentric music and even more outlandish outfits. As a singer, songwriter, and producer, Elliott's musical abilities were seemingly unlimited, as she regularly pushed out hits like "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly), and "All N My Grill." However, Elliott saw one of her biggest career jumps following the release of her smash hit, "Get Ur Freak On," in 2001. The song, which quickly rushed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 7. The song, which was released as the first single from the album "Miss E... So Addictive," also earned the Virginia native her first Grammy Award.

In the years that followed, Elliott became even more successful. The entertainer continued producing hits throughout the early 2000's, as her follow-up record, "Under Construction," was equally well-received, as the platinum-selling song "Work It" has become Elliott's most successful solo song to date. However, amid Elliott's lucrative music journey, she was also dealing with a serious medical condition — one that almost got in the way of her career.

Missy Elliott shocked fans in 2011 when she announced that she had been previously diagnosed with Graves' disease. The songwriter opened up about her ailment in an interview with People, revealing she'd been diagnosed with the autoimmune disease in 2008. "I was [driving and] trying to put my foot on the brake, but my leg was jumping. I couldn't keep the brake down and almost crashed," Elliott explained (via The Hollywood Reporter). "I couldn't write because my nervous system was so bad — I couldn't even use a pen." Elliott then went on to explain that diet changes and increasing her physical activity became vital to maintaining her health.

Elliott further elaborated on her battle with Graves' disease during a 2012 appearance on SiriusXM's "Sway In the Morning," revealing that she once thought the condition would kill her. "I was scared," Elliott said. "Anybody that has Graves' disease, you feel like you're [about to be] out of here." The MC went on to share that her condition has since become manageable.

Missy Elliott made her return to the spotlight in 2011, as the featured MC on the remix to Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)." A few years later, the two joined forces for an electrifying performance at the Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show. And, while audiences clearly loved the show-stopping collaboration, few were made aware that Elliott was hospitalized the night before the big game. "no1 knew I was in the hospital the night before I had to perform at the Super Bowl," Elliott tweeted in 2017. "When I heard the beginning of Get Ya Freak On playing I was SO SHOOK... I said 'Lord I can't turn back now.'"

Since revealing her diagnosis, Elliott has remained vocal about her ongoing health struggles. In 2018, the rapper was honored with the Visionary Award at Essence's 9th annual Black Women in Music event, and delivered a powerful speech about perseverance. "I was sick and I couldn't even lift a pin," Elliott said. "My nervous system had broken all the way down. I didn't come out here in a wheelchair. Nobody helped me get up here. I walked here — but it was through the grace of God."