In his new documentary ‘Stans’, Eminem opens up like never before. The film dives deep into the intense relationship between artists and their fans. But more than that, it also reveals a personal side.
When you’re one of the biggest rap stars in the world, going to the mall shouldn’t be a big deal, unless you’re Eminem, and you’ve brought your daughter along. That’s exactly what happened in a moment the rapper now calls one of the scariest of his life.
In his new documentary ‘Stans’, Eminem opens up like never before. The film dives deep into the intense relationship between artists and their fans. But more than that, it also reveals a personal side of the rapper that most people don’t get to see.
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One of the most emotional parts of the film is when Eminem talks about a day out with his daughter, Hailie, that quickly turned into chaos.
“I remember one time me and Hailie went to the mall in L.A.,” he shares in the film. “It was the last time I went to the mall as me, like, not disguised.” At first, it seemed like a normal day. But with every store they visited, the crowd around them kept growing. “We come out and there’s a bigger crowd, a bigger crowd, a bigger crowd,” he said.
Things quickly got out of hand. He picked up Hailie and told her, “C’mon, kiddo. Time to go.” It was no longer just about shopping. It was about getting out safely. “It literally felt like I was being chased out the mall,” Eminem said. That moment made him realize how much his fame had changed everything. “I can’t do this anymore because I’ve got to protect my baby,” he said. “That was a scary moment. It was scary for her, too.”
Interestingly, he later asked Hailie if she remembered the event. But she did not.
The documentary ‘Stans’ isn’t just about Eminem’s personal experiences, though. It’s about the power of music and the way fans connect to it. Named after one of Eminem’s most iconic songs, the film brings together stories from 20 of his most dedicated fans. These people share how his music has helped them through tough times and shaped their lives in powerful ways.
The film has been in the making for over 12 years, slowly gathering interviews and footage. Directed by Steven Leckart, known for ‘The Day Sports Stood Still’, and produced by Eminem himself and his longtime manager Paul Rosenberg, ‘Stans’ runs for 103 minutes and will only be shown in theaters for a short time.
The documentary had a special screening on August 6 in New York City at The Rooftop at Pier 17. Fans were in for a big surprise; Eminem showed up in person. The crowd went wild, chanting “I love you” over and over. The rapper, touched by the love, smiled and said it right back to them.
During the event, Eminem spoke about how the song ‘Stan’ changed his life.
