Alyson Stoner celebrated a birthday she won’t soon forget.
“This year, I was unexpectedly with Jane Goodall on her 91st birthday,” the author, 31, reveals exclusively in her 25 Things You Don’t Know About Me feature in the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now. “More unexpectedly, Chris Martin surprised the room full of environmental advocates and led us in singing ‘Happy Birthday.’”
A longtime activist, Stoner lets fans into her world in her new book, Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything. The memoir, which hits bookshelves Tuesday, August 12, shines a light on the many different chapters of Stoner’s life, including her childhood.
“The most alarming moment of writing my book was uncovering completely different information about my childhood than I previously knew,” Stoner tells Us. “I have a box of over 50 journals documenting my life since childhood that I quote in Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything.”
Keep scrolling for more stories from Stoner, including her go-to breakfast order and why she decided to become a certified mental health coordinator in Hollywood.
- I have a box of over 50 journals documenting my life since childhood that I quote in Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything.
- I don’t have a TV, and I don’t have any subscriptions to streaming services.
- My favorite romantic date was learning American Sign Language on Valentine’s Day.
- Throughout my 20s, I could fit all of my belongings in my car.
- I’m currently collaborating with Chris McCarty, founder of Quit Clicking Kids, to advance policy protections for children online.
- For the first year of home ownership, I did all my own home repairs.
- After a childhood working in Hollywood, I’m now a certified mental health coordinator for film, TV and stage productions.
- My favorite sweatshirt says “everything else was dirty.”
- The architectural style I’m most drawn to is biomorphic abstractionism.
- My average screen time is double- digits right now, and that’s atrocious.
- I’m a proud holder of a library card and Libby is the second app on my home screen.
MK Sadler - IssueVoter is the third app, which helped kickstart my journey in becoming more civically engaged.
- I didn’t wash my face until I was 31. The only brand that instantly changed my habits was Cocokind.
- I’m on a volunteer waitlist for hospice. Hospice: Call me back.
- I cocreated Artist Wellbeing Essentials, the first-of- its-kind digital toolkit that provides education and guided tools for performers and their guardians.
- I have 984 unread texts. So maybe hospice did, in fact, answer my message, but it got buried.
- The most alarming moment of writing my book was uncovering completely different information about my childhood than I previously knew.
- I currently have two pulled hamstrings. Is this… 32?
- I love hotel lobbies, airports at 3 a.m. and parking lots.
MK Sadler - My breakfast is the same every day: spiced oatmeal topped with walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, flaxseed, blueberries, raspberries, coconut flakes, goji berries, cacao nibs, peanut powder and a touch of maple syrup.
- I stepped on my glasses three months ago and they became crooked. I’ve decided it’s stylish.
- My nickname growing up was “Dictionary Queen” because of my passion for memorizing new words. A goodie: “obsequious.”
- I drove a Kia Sportage for 12 years until I needed a new car. After extensive research, I chose a used Kia Sportage.
- I think being “well-adjusted” is overrated and preposterous in a dysfunctional society.
- I was unexpectedly with Jane Goodall on her 91st birthday. Chris Martin surprised the room and led us in singing “Happy Birthday.”
