Slim Shady’s new documentary explored the rapper’s intense fandom while Billboard sat surrounded by intense fandom.
Eminem en el escenario durante “Live from Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central” el 6 de junio de 2024 en Detroit.
Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images
As a few lucky fans sat underneath the New York skyline to watch the premiere of Eminem‘s Stans documentary at Pier 17, a light drizzle slowly turned into a steady rain. The outdoor venue had ponchos for a few viewers perturbed enough in their seats to go grab them, but the overwhelming majority of Slim Shady’s supporters remained seated, happily transfixed by what was happening on screen. Soaked and giddy, the fans — or more appropriately, Stans — watched as Eminem explored his turbulent and meteoric rise in the early 2000s – an ascent both fueled and complicated by the fervent obsession of his passionate supporters.
Directed by Steven Leckart (The Day Sports Stood Still) and produced by Em, his longtime manager Paul Rosenberg and Antoine Fuqua, Stans spotlights 20 fans who talk in depth about how Eminem’s music and story transformed their lives. The film includes a rare sit-down interview with the rapper, and commentary from a handful of his closest friends and associates.
The spotlighted Stans were mostly in attendance as well, scattered about in the crowd and seen drinking and relishing their big moments on the silver screen. The interviews included one woman who spent 10 years working at the same diner Eminem worked at in Detroit when he was a kid, in the slim hopes he’d wander back in one day. There was also one with Nikki Paterson, who broke the Guinness World Record for having the most tattoos of a single musician on her body. She proudly decorated herself with 28 tats of Slim, including 16 portraits of the Detroit legend.
Needless to say, the love (and the rain) was all there at Pier 17. Here are the best moments from the Stan premiere screening in New York City.
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A Complex Look at Music Fandom
While I went into the film expecting a documentary focused on one of rap’s GOATs, it turned out to be more of a nuanced look at the role fandom plays in music. In one segment, Eminem talks about bringing his daughter Hailie to the mall during the height of his fame. He would go into one store, and a small crowd would gather outside. Then, he’d go into another store, and the crowd would swell even further. Em recalled that, eventually, the crowd grew so large that they chased him and his daughter out of the mall, leading Slim Shady to realize he could never go shopping on his own again.
While there were numerous stories like this throughout the documentary (including a few strange testaments from some of the Stans in attendance), Eminem also grappled with the fact that his supporters saved his life, and gave him the success he has today. It was an interesting look at how fandom, especially in the age of social media and paparazzi, can quickly spin out of control.
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Everyone Showing Love to the Late Proof
As the film explored Em’s early days in Detroit, there was a fair amount of time spotlighting Proof — the rapper’s childhood friend, who tragically passed away in 2006. During the moments when Proof was on screen, the crowd erupted into cheers, proving that there were dozens of day-one Stans in the house. “We love you Proof!” one guy called out.
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Ed Sheeran, Adam Sandler and More Famous Friends Talk About Eminem
Ed Sheeran and Adam Sandler were just a few of the surprising cameos in the film who shared their thoughts on Eminem. Both of them are staunch supporters, with Sheeran sharing that he almost attended Marshall’s Anger Management tour in 2005 with 50 Cent and D12. Em unexpectedly canceled the tour due to exhaustion, leaving Sheeran devastated.
Other dope commentary came from some of Eminem’s closest collaborators and compatriots, including Dr. Dre, Jimmy Iovine, LL Cool J, “Stan” singer Dido and former MTV TRL host Carson Daly.
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The Q&A Panel With Paul Rosenberg, “Stan” Actor Devon Sawa and More
Fans who stuck around after the film wrapped were treated to an engaging live Q&A panel featuring Rosenberg, “Stan” actor Devon Sawa, director Steven Leckart and two of the Stans featured in the film. It was exciting to hear how the film came together, and how Em wanted the focus to be on the fans more than on him.
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Eminem Popping Out as a Surprise
Right before the documentary began, DJ Whoo Kid asked us all to turn our phone flashlights on so we could vibe to film’s namesake song before the documentary began. Unbeknownst to us, it was all a ploy to set us up for the biggest moment of the evening. “And now, a man who needs no introduction,” the host said, before Eminem came sauntering out to an uproarious crowd. The venue shook with excitement, so much so that Marshall Mathers could barely get through his speech.
“Let me tell you why this s–t is crazy to me,” he said, as he was showered in “I love you’s.” “Because, when I was writing the song ‘Stan,’ I think I was just understanding the impact that my music was having on some people. And it’s so crazy to me to look at, over my career, just the fact that I was able to impact people… I love you too. I’m trying to think of what the f–k I’m saying here!”
He finally was able to finish his thoughts, thanking all of us for attending and for showing him love for all these years.
“When I was writing this song I didn’t understand the impact my music was having on people at the time, and it was really surreal to me — and it’s still surreal to this day to look out here and see all you, and the fact that my music has inspired you,” he concluded. “This film is a thank you to all of you for sticking by me for this whole f–king time… I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”