Avril Lavigne has been a trailblazer in music for over two decades, and in a recent rETrospective, the Canadian pop-punk icon shared a memorable story from the early days of her career — including the unforgettable moment she met Eminem for the very first time.
The meeting took place backstage at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, which was Avril’s first-ever award show appearance.
“There were a million people backstage, and Eminem walked up to me and shook my hand,” Avril recalled.
“He said, ‘Yo, I respect you, your music’s cool.’ I almost s–t in my pants. I was like, ‘WHAT IS HAPPENING?!’”
For a young rising star like Avril, getting recognized by one of the biggest names in hip-hop at the time was a surreal moment she still cherishes.
Eminem Dominated the 2002 VMAs
The 2002 MTV Video Music Awards aired live on August 29, 2002, from Radio City Music Hall in New York City, hosted by Jimmy Fallon. That night, Eminem was the most awarded artist, taking home four major trophies:
- Video of the Year
- Best Male Video
- Best Rap Video
- Best Direction in a Video (for “Without Me”, directed by Joseph Kahn)
Eminem was also nominated for Best Editing and Viewer’s Choice, although those categories went to The White Stripes and Michelle Branch respectively.
During the show, Eminem performed two of his hit singles — “White America” and “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” — both from his blockbuster album The Eminem Show.
A Moment That Still Matters
For Avril Lavigne, meeting Eminem during such a monumental night wasn’t just a celebrity encounter — it was a moment of validation and respect from one of music’s most iconic figures. And for fans, it’s a powerful reminder of how far she’s come since those early days.
