Back in 2003, Eminem won an Academy Award for Best Original Song with his hit “Lose Yourself” from the movie 8 Mile. However, he chose not to attend the ceremony or perform the song. Seventeen years later, he made up for it with a surprise performance at the 92nd Academy Awards on February 9, 2020.
A Shocking Moment at the Oscars
During the 2020 Oscars, Lin-Manuel Miranda introduced a tribute to iconic movie soundtrack songs. As the montage reached 8 Mile, the screen suddenly cut to Eminem and his band on stage—ready to perform “Lose Yourself.”
Dressed in his signature hoodie and cap, Eminem delivered an energetic performance. The audience, made up of Hollywood’s biggest stars, reacted with shock, confusion, and excitement. While some stars cheered, others—like Billie Eilish and Martin Scorsese—looked puzzled. There were even audio issues with his microphone, but that didn’t stop the moment from becoming legendary.
Which are you? #Oscars pic.twitter.com/FgprIoynEw
— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) February 10, 2020
Why Eminem Skipped the 2003 Oscars
After the performance, Eminem spoke with Variety about why he skipped the 2003 Oscars:
“I never thought I had a chance to win, and we had just performed ‘Lose Yourself’ at the Grammys with The Roots. I also didn’t think a show like that would understand me back then. When I found out I won, I thought, ‘That’s crazy!’ Winning without even being there made it feel real to me.”
How the 2020 Performance Happened
Many people wondered why Eminem decided to perform 17 years later. He explained:
“I heard that 8 Mile was already in the montage, and the Oscars just asked if I’d perform. It worked out well since I had just released a new album, so the timing made sense.”
Eminem also confirmed he enjoyed the experience, adding with a laugh:
“I got to hug Salma Hayek!”
A Memorable Moment in Oscar History
Despite some mixed reactions from the audience, Eminem’s surprise performance added to the legacy of Lose Yourself and 8 Mile. It was a long-overdue moment for the rapper and a highlight of the 2020 Oscars.
