Eminem Discusses Surprise Oscars Performance, Says He Did And Didn't Enjoy Making '8 Mile'

Photo by MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images

Eminem also discussed missing out on "Lose Yourself" earning an Oscar back in 2003.

No one was expecting Eminem's performance of "Lose Yourself" at this year's Oscars, and in a recent interview the Detroit rapper explained how the surprise moment came about.

READ: Nick Cannon Drops Anothem Eminem Diss Track “Used To Look Up To You”

Speaking with Variety, Em shared that his film 8 Mile was a part of the Oscar montage, which then led producers to reach out and ask the rapper if he was interested in performing "Lose Yourself." The rapper thought it was also a good opportunity considering he just released his eleventh studio album, Music to Be Murdered By.

"We flew in [to Los Angeles] last week, so we probably have four or five rehearsals just to make sure we got everything right," he explained. "Most of the rehearsals were offsite, not in [the Dolby Theater], just trying to keep it secret."

As for why it was so important to keep the performancer a secret, Em said: "I don’t know, I think it was either [the Oscars’] idea or Paul and [longtime publicist Dennis Dennehy’s] idea before they brought it to me. It was presented to me that way and I said, 'Oh that’s kinda dope, to not even announce it.'"

In the interview, Em also reflected on the making of 8 Mile and missing out on "Lose Yourself" winning the award for best original song at the 2003 Oscars.

"There was a lot of stuff that was not, um…It was a lot of work, and it being my first film I was not really expecting that. And it’s tough when you’ve got to be on someone else’s schedule, with the way that I work," he said in regards to the former topic. "But yeah, I’m certainly glad that I did it, and there were parts that were definitely fun, it was just a lot."

Source: Variety