Nearly 20 years after skipping the biggest moment of his career, Eminem finally stepped onto the Oscars stage in 2020—and the world wasn’t ready.
Back in 2003, Eminem made history when he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song with “Lose Yourself” from the film 8 Mile. But fans and viewers were stunned when the rapper was nowhere to be found at the ceremony. His reason? He genuinely didn’t think he’d win—and ended up falling asleep after staying up late playing with his daughter, Hailie Jade.
Fast forward to the 92nd Academy Awards in 2020, and Eminem made a surprise appearance that instantly became one of the most unforgettable moments in Oscar history.
As the opening notes of “Lose Yourself” played, the crowd of A-list stars exploded with shock and excitement. Leonardo DiCaprio, Billie Eilish, and Martin Scorsese were just a few of the stunned faces caught on camera. The energy in the room completely shifted as Eminem took command of the stage with his signature fire and precision.
His performance went viral within minutes, racking up millions of views and sparking a wave of nostalgia among longtime fans. But it wasn’t just a concert—it was a full-circle moment. For Eminem, returning to perform the song that won him an Oscar years earlier was about redemption, legacy, and honoring the very reason he missed the moment in the first place: his role as a father.
The 2020 Oscars performance proved that even after decades in the game, Eminem’s impact is timeless, and his presence still hits just as hard.
