Missy Elliott To Be Honoured By Janet Jackson At Dancers Against Cancer Gala

Missy Elliott will join a distinguished group of entertainment figures being recognised at the upcoming Gala of the Stars, an annual fundraiser for Dancers Against Cancer.

The four-time Grammy winner will receive the Icon Award at the October 22 event in Beverly Hills, with Janet Jackson, last year’s recipient, presenting the honour.

Elliott’s recognition comes after a career marked by several historic milestones in hip-hop. She became the first female rapper to receive the MTV Video Music Awards’ Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and the first female hip-hop artist inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2023, she also became the first female rapper inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Her commercial success includes 10 top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and five top 10 albums on the Billboard 200.

Other recipients at the gala include Toni Basil, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, and director and choreographer Vincent Paterson, who will be presented with the Vanguard Award.

Choreographer Anita Mann will present Basil’s award, while Julie McDonald and Tony Selznick will present Paterson’s honour.

Paula Abdul is also returning to present the Paula Abdul Legacy Award, with the recipient yet to be announced. Television personality and dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy will serve as host.

The event is scheduled for the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.