The Grammy Awards have always been known for their surprising and sometimes controversial musical pairings, but few have been as shocking and culturally significant as Eminem and Elton John’s 2001 performance of “Stan.”
At the time, Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP had solidified him as one of the biggest rap artists in the world. However, his controversial lyrics—often accused of being misogynistic and homophobic—sparked backlash, particularly from organizations like GLAAD, which planned to protest his four Grammy nominations that year.
Then came the bombshell announcement: Elton John, one of the most outspoken LGBTQ+ icons in music, would perform alongside Eminem on Grammy night.
The Backstory: A Performance That Almost Didn’t Happen
According to Ken Ehrlich, longtime producer of the Grammys, there was never any hesitation about having Eminem perform.
🎤 “We wanted him, there wasn’t any question,” Ehrlich recalled.
He also noted that Eminem himself had envisioned a collaborative performance, though the details on who suggested Elton John differ.
💬 Eminem’s version: “The only way I’ll perform at the Grammys is with Elton John,” he told MTV in 2001, admitting he originally said it in jest—never thinking it would actually happen.
💬 Ehrlich’s version: “We were already thinking about a duet partner, and once we reached out to Elton, he immediately said yes.”
John, known for breaking barriers in the industry, was all in. “This is exactly the kind of thing I want to do. I want to break down these barriers,” he reportedly said.
The Backlash & Protest from GLAAD
Once the Recording Academy confirmed the shocking collaboration, backlash intensified.
❌ GLAAD released a statement condemning John’s participation, calling it “appalling” that he would support an artist with “hate-filled lyrics.”
🚨 Protests erupted outside the Staples Center, with demonstrators holding signs that read “Don’t Award Hate.”
However, John stood by his decision, telling the Los Angeles Times:
💬 “If I thought for one minute that [Eminem] was hateful, I wouldn’t do it.”
The Performance: A Moment That Stunned the World
When the moment finally arrived, it did not disappoint.
🎼 Elton John took over Dido’s haunting chorus from “Thank You”, sitting at a grand piano positioned behind Eminem.
🎤 Eminem delivered his intense verses, embodying the deranged fan from “Stan” with raw emotion and precision.
🤝 At the end, the two walked center stage, held hands, and embraced—a moment that made headlines worldwide.
Reactions & Legacy: More Than Just a Performance
🔥 Instantly, the performance became one of the most talked-about Grammy moments ever.
🎶 The image of Eminem and Elton John embracing circulated around the world, proving that music could bridge seemingly impossible divides.
Even though some critics found the performance “anticlimactic”, the lasting impact was undeniable.
Eminem & Elton John: A Friendship That Lasted Decades
Far beyond a Grammy stunt, this performance led to a genuine friendship between the two artists.
🔹 After Eminem struggled with addiction in the late 2000s, it was Elton John who helped him get sober and acted as his sponsor.
🔹 “When I first wanted to get sober, I called [Elton] and spoke to him about it,” Eminem revealed to The Guardian.
🔹 John, in a 2017 interview, called Eminem an “amazing friend” and shut down any lingering accusations of homophobia, revealing that Eminem sent him a hilariously NSFW wedding gift when he married David Furnish.
Final Thoughts: A Defining Grammy Moment
Even after two decades, Eminem and Elton John’s performance of “Stan” remains one of the most historic and surprising collaborations in Grammy history. It proved that art can challenge perceptions, break boundaries, and spark important conversations—something that still holds true today.
💬 As Ken Ehrlich put it: “It was an amazing moment. Definitely in my Top 10 Grammy performances of all time.”
🎥 Relive the unforgettable moment—watch Eminem & Elton John’s “Stan” performance from the 2001 Grammys!
