Why Eminem's Long-Awaited Apology To Rihanna About Her Assault Still Matters
Eminem is making amends. The rapper has said a lot of controversial, incendiary things over the years, but many believe that he went a touch too far in one of his verses from a song recorded in 2009. The song may have been unreleased, but when it leaked back in 2019, questions were raised over Eminem’s character.
The Michigan-born artist has built an illustrious career out of making light of serious situations. His songs have always pushed boundaries, either through obscenely violent lyrics or by name-dropping celebrities and making a mockery out of their personal lives. It’s very much been his ‘status quo,’ but it turns out there are specific lyrics that he’ll actually apologize for.
One such lyric discussed Rihanna’s assault by Chris Brown. The incident was the talk of the town in the 2008-2010 era, so of course, Eminem jumped on the opportunity to make references to it.
It took a decade, but Eminem is apologizing for his actions. His decision to examine his previous behaviour is noteworthy in many ways, but we also can’t forget that Rihanna’s abuse was used as a punchline for too many people. The fact that she chose to process it on her own terms and move forward with confidence speaks to her strength and resilience. Here’s what we can learn from Eminem’s apology in connection to Rihanna’s trauma:
Eminem said he was “stupid” for making fun of Rihanna’s assault
The original lyrics are not for the faint-hearted. According to Entertainment Tonight, the leaked verse went like this: “Of course I side with Chris Brown / I'd beat a b*tch down too.”
Anyone who is familiar with Eminem’s sound will not be surprised by his misogynistic lyrics. But what’s more shocking about these words is that he appears to unambiguously side with Chris Brown and seems to justify his attack on Rihanna for no reason. For a public figure as influential as Eminem to be adding fuel to the fire is not a good look at all.
What’s worse is that he went on to work with Rihanna afterward on many occasions, such as their hit songs ‘Love The Way You Lie’ and ‘Monster.’ But, of course, since the original song was unreleased, nobody ever caught wind of Eminem’s horrifying lyric. That is until it was leaked in 2019, at which point Eminem rightfully received backlash for his choice words.
However, Eminem took accountability instead of riding out the backlash. In his latest song, ‘Zeus,’ from his latest collection, Music To Be Murdered By: Side B, Eminem directly apologized to Rihanna for crafting the lyric in the first place. His apology lyrics were such:
Long as I re-promise to be honest / And wholeheartedly, apologies, Rihanna / For that song that leaked / I'm sorry, Ri / It wasn't meant to cause you grief / Regardless, it was wrong of me.
Eminem on Music To Be Murdered By: Side B
He didn’t just apologize via song; he went on a radio show and elaborated on the whole situation. Saying that he was under the influence of drugs at the time, he never intended for the song to hurt anyone. He was “caught off-guard” when he heard of the leak and, at first, had “zero recollection” of writing the verse.
It's 10 plus years old, but I'm not making excuses for it. I said it and I was wrong for saying that, it was f*cking stupid.
Eminem on SirirusXM’s Shade 45
Eminem added that this was written around the time that he was still struggling with his sobriety and learning how to rap again. Therefore, he was playing around with words and went for lyrics that only “rhymed.” Yet, he still admits that he should have thought better.
His admission doesn’t exonerate him from the criticisms, but it’s still worth acknowledging that people do change and that they do have the ability to turn their lives around and make amends with people they’ve hurt. Over the years, Eminem has learned what it means to be there for his daughters, what it means to be a positive role model, and how to use his voice for change, not shock.
Rihanna feels “punished” for her trauma but considers Eminem a “good person”
Rihanna hasn’t publicly responded to either Eminem’s leaked verse or his apology, but there is a reason why: she’s simply tired of reliving her trauma over and over again in the spotlight. In a 2015 Vanity Fair interview, the singer said that the media has made a meal out of her assault and that she didn’t necessarily sign up to be a spokeswoman for women or men suffering from domestic abuse.
When the public and the media continue to run stories about it and attempt to examine her actions regarding her assault, she feels like she’s getting punished for it. Therefore, she does her best not to think or remember the past, but at the same time, she understands the seriousness of the situation and doesn’t think it’s a good idea to sweep it under the rug. It happened to her, and it was real, but she’s also ready to leave it in the rearview mirror and move on even if the rest of the world decides to trivialize her trauma.
For me, and anyone who’s been a victim of domestic abuse, nobody wants to even remember it. Nobody even wants to admit it. So to talk about it and say it once, much less 200 times, is like … I have to be punished for it?
Rihanna to Vanity Fair
In the same interview, Rihanna also sang praises of Eminem. She called him one of her “favourite people” and commended his approach to fatherhood and music. She also said that she felt honoured when he asked her to be a part of his record and that he’s one of the most prestigious, eminent rappers of his generation. She added that collaborating on ‘Love The Way You Lie’ was a cathartic experience for her as it also dealt with a dysfunctional, violent relationship. She thanked Eminem for letting her use music to say what she couldn’t “say to the world at the time.”
[Eminem] got so many layers, and he’s such a good person—focused, disciplined.
Rihanna to Vanity Fair
It’s never too late to apologize and make amends
It’s clear from both their accounts that Eminem and Rihanna share a special relationship. It’s difficult to speculate where their relationship stands today, but it’s undeniable that both have a massive amount of respect for one another. Eminem, the musical provocateur, possesses the ability to take accountability for his actions and issue apologies, regardless of whether they would be received well. Maintaining his integrity is much more important to him than feeding his ego.
We also make grave mistakes in our lives that we might not be able to explain or justify. More often than not, it’s better to apologize than to sit and let the guilt eat away at you. It’s up to the other person if your apology is worth forgiveness, but at least you’ve done your part from your end.
More inspiring celebrities:
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.