Eminem’s daughter Hailie Jade opens up about the 'struggle her dad faced’ as she reflects on her childhood
Britt Jones
Featured Image Credit: Kurt Krieger/Corbis via Getty Images
Now that legendary rapper Eminem’s daughter Hailie is a mother, she’s reflecting on her own upbringing.
Being the daughter of someone who singlehandedly changed the rap genre in mainstream music in the 2000s, it must have been chaotic.
There would have been paparazzi, music fans trying to meet her dad, the press writing stories and attending prestigious events as a tot.
While it might be the dream of many to say that rapper Eminem is your dad, it wasn’t all glitz and glam for Hailie Jade McClintock.
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The 29-year-old opened up to People in an interview to talk about her son, Elliot Marshall living in the spotlight, just as she did as a child.
As a kid, she was exposed to a lot, from music written about her mom and the tumultuous relationship she had with Mr Slim Shady, to having her name called out by strangers in public.
Now, she’s reflecting on what it was like.
"Having been in the spotlight for so long, I’ve learned the importance of balancing what I share publicly with what I keep private," she told the outlet.
While her name was known to the public, thankfully, her private details were not, and she was able to live relatively normal thanks to her dad.
Now, as a mom herself, she claims that she recognises just how hard he must have worked to keep his daughters free from being exposed to the world.
"Over time, I’ve come to understand the struggle my father faced - wanting to protect our privacy while also feeling proud and wanting to celebrate his kids," she admitted.
Since giving birth to her son in March this year, who she shares with husband Evan McClintock, she expressed that she could relate to her dad’s struggles.
"I feel the same way now," she said. "I want to share the proud, joyful moments that mean a lot to me, especially as a parent, but I’m also intentional about keeping certain parts of our lives just for us."
For her, she says it’s ‘all about finding that balance between openness and privacy’, adding: "And that balance has become even more important to me as I navigate parenthood."
Eminem, born Marshall Mathers, shares three kids with his ex Kim: Hailey, Alaina Scott and Stevie Laine Scott.
For him, being a dad saved his life in more way than one.
"Bein' a dad is definitely living a double life," Eminem told Rolling Stone in 2004. "Even before Hailie was born, I was a firm believer in freedom of speech ... But once I hit them gates where I live, that's when I'm Dad."
He continued: "Takin' the kids to school, pickin' 'em up, teachin' 'em rules. I'm not sayin' I'm the perfect father, but the most important thing is to be there for my kids and raise them the right way."
He even credits his kids as being the reason he's stayed sober, admitting he ‘couldn't concentrate’ on his addiction to pills while in rehab because of his fame.
"I love them so much and they've helped me through so many things," he told New York Times Magazine in 2010.