Hailie Jade Mathers, daughter of rap superstar Eminem, is stepping into parenthood and looking back on her childhood in the public eye. Growing up as the kid of a 2000s music icon meant dealing with paparazzi, fans, and media stories about her dad’s rocky relationship with her mom, Kim. Now 29 and a mom to her son, Elliot Marshall, Hailie is sharing how her dad balanced fame with fatherhood (YouTube/EminemMusic).
In a heartfelt interview with People, Hailie, who welcomed her son with husband Evan McClintock in March, talked about the challenges of growing up famous. Strangers knew her name, and her dad’s songs often mentioned personal struggles, yet Eminem worked hard to keep her life private. Hailie said she now sees how much effort it took to shield her and her siblings, Alaina and Stevie, from the spotlight while still showing his pride in them.
.webp)
As a new mom, Hailie feels a connection to her dad’s struggles. She told People she wants to share happy moments, like her son’s firsts, but also keep some things just for her family. “It’s about finding balance,” she said, a lesson she learned from watching her dad navigate his public and private lives. Eminem’s love for his kids was clear, even in tough times, as he juggled fame and fatherhood.
In 2004, Eminem told Rolling Stone that being a dad was a double life. “At home, I’m Dad, picking up the kids and teaching them rules,” he said, admitting he wasn’t perfect but always tried to be there (Rolling Stone, 2004). He also credited his kids with helping him stay sober, telling New York Times Magazine in 2010 that they were his anchor during addiction struggles (New York Times Magazine, 2010).
Hailie’s reflections paint a picture of a dad who fought to give his kids a normal life despite his fame. As she raises her son, she’s inspired by Eminem’s efforts to balance openness with privacy. Her story is a touching look at how a music legend’s love for his family shaped her, and now she’s carrying those lessons into her own parenting journey (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame).
