Last month, Missy Elliott got wind of a video clip featuring a fan running through her own take on the 2002 hit “Work It” from what looks like a BBQ in a neighborhood park. Elliott loved it so much that she reposted it to her social media pages, praising her “funky white sister” for showing her love during the outdoor karaoke session.
The now-viral snippet, which stars a woman named Mary Halsey, has since been viewed over 2.8 million times, inspiring Ellen DeGeneres to invite the longtime fan to her show and have her perform a cover of the classic song on national television, sound effects and all.
During the on-air appearance (see below), Halsey talks about her love for the song, explaining how it became her go-to choice for karaoke because of the positive reactions it garners.
Without hesitation, Halsey begins performing the beloved song on stage and loving every moment. Moments later, Missy herself came out on stage and the look on Halsey’s face is utterly priceless as the pair finish the song together. Needless to say, DeGeneres absolutely nailed putting together this surprise.
After the heartwarming performance and fitting surprise, the two sat down for a conversation with the talk show host, reflecting on how the iconic song came to be and surprising Halsey once again with some custom threads, including a jacket that says “Missy’s Funky White Sister” on the back.
Take a look at Missy Elliott surprising the longtime fan on Ellen, below.
