Hailie Jade’s Emotional Reaction to Eminem’s STANS Documentary

The release of Eminem’s documentary STANS on August 7, 2025, has sent shockwaves through his fanbase, but no one was more profoundly affected than his daughter, Hailie Jade Mathers. The 29-year-old social media influencer, speaking on her podcast Just a Little Shady, revealed she “sobbed” watching the film’s haunting scenes, grappling with the raw depiction of her father’s tumultuous life. “I actually cried watching those haunting scenes. What did my dad have to go through?” she shared, adding that the documentary’s intensity was so overwhelming she “couldn’t” bring herself to watch it again. The film, screening at AMC Theatres through August 10 before streaming on Paramount+ later in 2025, offers an unflinching look at Eminem’s career and personal struggles, leaving even his closest family members shaken.

Directed by Steven Leckart, STANS—named after Eminem’s 2000 hit—explores the complex relationship between the rapper, born Marshall Mathers, and his devoted fans. Through rare archival footage, stylized recreations, and an exclusive interview with the 52-year-old artist, the documentary delves into pivotal moments of his life. One particularly harrowing scene recounts a terrifying mall incident in Los Angeles, where Eminem and a young Hailie were mobbed by fans, forcing him to flee with her in his arms. “It literally felt like I was being chased out the f—ing mall,” he recalls, noting it was the last time he visited a mall undisguised. For Hailie, now a mother to her son Elliot, these scenes illuminated the fear and chaos her father shielded her from as a child.

The documentary also confronts Eminem’s near-fatal 2007 overdose, a dark chapter that hit Hailie especially hard. The rapper describes waking up in a hospital, disoriented and tethered to tubes, after overdosing on methadone. The turning point came when he learned he missed Hailie’s first guitar recital, a moment that left him wracked with guilt. “The amount of guilt that I felt, I cried when I saw it,” he admits, a sentiment that resonated deeply with his daughter. Hailie, reflecting on her podcast, expressed awe at her father’s resilience, saying, “Seeing what he went through, it’s hard to process. I couldn’t watch it again—it’s too much.” Her emotional response underscores the documentary’s raw portrayal of Eminem’s battle with addiction and his journey to sobriety, which he has maintained since April 2008.

Hailie’s candid reaction has sparked widespread discussion among fans, many of whom have praised her vulnerability. The podcast episode, co-hosted with Brittany Ednie, also touched on her evolving perspective as a parent navigating fame, echoing her father’s struggle to balance public and private life. “Having been in the spotlight for so long, I’ve learned the importance of keeping some things just for us,” she told People in June 2025, a sentiment shaped by her father’s experiences. The documentary’s focus on Eminem’s protective instincts—especially toward Hailie, his only biological child with ex-wife Kim Scott—adds a poignant layer to their bond.

STANS also features a curated cast of real-life fans, showcasing the profound impact of Eminem’s music. For Hailie, the film was a window into the weight of her father’s fame, from mobbed malls to life-threatening addiction. As the documentary garners acclaim, its emotional toll on the Mathers family highlights the cost of stardom. Fans, moved by Hailie’s tears, are flocking to theaters, eager to witness the story that left her shaken. For now, STANS stands as a testament to Eminem’s survival and a father’s love, etched in haunting scenes that linger long after the credits roll.