TITLE: Em & Em : Conquering the Casa
NOTE: This is a BIT different format from the rest because I wanted to have fun. SOOOO this is a possible Rolling Stone article on the world's couple! Please note that this is 4 years from when the fic ended and 2 years after the last Rolling Stone article!
PLEASE NOTE: I don't know exact titles of awards, bear with me. AND I tried to leave enough time in between the first article and this article to do hypothetically accomplish all that has happened- but I'm not gonna put that much thought into it. So just deal with it :)
SHOUT OUTS: Tammy, SaraC, Lauren, cc4mm, bajan, star, kwem, samantha, jana, vibe, Romi, Sammie & ryan
-Em & Em-
~Conquering the Casa~
Who would have thought that after conquering the world, Emma would then set her sights on the home? Who would have ever thought that after Em'n'Em, aka Emma and Eminem, conquered the Oscar's and Grammy's, that the couple would then turn their attentions toward themselves. Wouldn't you expect them, after gone global, to then go universal?
Recall that at the Oscar's last year, the movie in which they both co-starred, Doomed, they walked with eight Oscar's for: Best Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Direction, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography and Best Editing, as well as the coveted Best Motion Picture. And that feat alone earned Emma Jenson Rodriguez the honor of being the person to receive the most Oscar's in one night. It almost seemed to good to be true given that three weeks prior to that, the couple combined had left the Grammy's with seven awards. And if that wasn't enough- Emma Jenson Rodriguez proved her staying power by winning two Emmy's for Best Direction of a Drama and Best Drama Script. These were given to her for proving that she is explosive both on the screen and behind the screen.
It hardly seems like it has been two years since I received the call that took me to Detroit over night to interview one of the hottest couples on the planet. And while I know I sat down with Emma Jenson Rodriguez and Marshall Mathers III, aka Eminem, I was still surprised when I was called once more.
This time, though, I was off to a private island. The location was extremely secretive and I found myself changing planes three times and walking through buildings and changing cars to lose the paparazzi before finally getting on a boat that landed on the island three hours later. I suppose superstardom really makes it hard to get some privacy- but then again, how would I know that?
I arrived on the private island [the location of which I am sworn to secrecy] and it is gorgeous, complete with a gigantic and lavish mansion. I suppose when you've got a multiplatinum record each and a movie that has grossed nearly two billion dollars worldwide, you can afford to drop a few million to buy a private island.
I was ushered inside and found the two superstars sitting on their couch in sweats with a bowl of Doritos and a case of Mountain Dew, which appeared to have been hit hard. I glanced around and was surprised to see virtually no recognition of their lives outside themselves. Photos of his ten-year-old daughter adorned the walls, along with candid photos of the couple at parties and pictures of her extended family.
"Expecting a big wall of trophies?" She asked after noticing my examination of every wall that I could see. "They're back at Detroit. This is our refuge- no fame shall enter here."
Perhaps the most exciting thing to mention about my interview is that it is the first interview the couple has done (since the birth of their first child nearly six months ago) in which they agreed to speak about their child and the specifics of their relationship. And it is because of that very fact, that Rolling Stone brings you this super-sized interview with "Hollywood's Golden Couple".
Not much is known about their child as the child has escaped the wrath of the media as well. Eminem has done an extraordinary job keeping images of his first child out of the papers. And up until this article is printed, even the sex of their child will have been a mystery. They were perhaps the first superstars to keep a pregnancy relatively quiet. It was until she was well into her third trimester that it was even known that she was pregnant!
So, without further ado- please enjoy. I certainly enjoyed every moment. Naturally, the first thing I had to ask was-
Why me?
EJ: Why you? Why you what?
Why invite Rolling Stone here to your private island? Why request me specifically?
EJ: We really loved the article you wrote the last time.
MM: And what you've written since- the reviews of the albums and the write-up about the movie- that shit was tight.
EJ: I was sitting with the baby one night and knew we'd have to eventually speak publically about her-
So it's a girl?
EJ: Oh. Yes. It's a girl. I knew we'd have to say something before the news did something drastic to get the story. So… I thought of you.
I'm flattered. Is it too much to ask her name?
MM: Sarah Quinn Mathers [he says with a father's pride.] She's sleeping right now- but once she wakes up from her nap, you'll get to meet her.
So tell me- you invited me here to get the story and I've got a ton of questions. You just let me know if I cross the privacy line. Okay?
EJ: Sounds fair. But the reason we chose Rolling Stone and you in particular is because they've been very good to us. As have you- from the last interview with both of us and the spread you did on Marshall for his last album…
It's true. I'm fascinated by you both, as is the world, but I can't help myself. When anything Em'n'Em related comes up for assignment- I take it.
MM: Yeah… I'm pretty addicted to her myself. [He smiles at her and they share a lingering kiss.]
So- how did this happen? [They both give me a look.] I know *how* it happened, but last time we all spoke- there wasn't talk of children. I know as soon as it was known that you were pregnant, there were so many articles and news stories about it- I mean, Em, you said yourself over and over that you didn't want anymore kids. Or women for that matter. What gives?
MM: Well- like I said. I'm addicted. Ya know- it wasn't something I was lookin' for, but I'm sure glad I have it.
The fuss seems to have died down- the uproar about the relationship itself.
MM: Not really. It's still there. There are still people bad mouthin' her, quietly. I think the main part of it is over, I guess. I don't know. We don't think about it too much.
EJ: If they wanna hate me, whatever. I have no control over that. I still maintain my opinion- they're just jealous. I mean… *look* at him. [She does and I do. And she has a point. A definite point. I must admit- even *I* am a bit jealous. Just a little bit.] But it doesn't matter to me anymore.
Did it hurt? The comments?
EJ: It didn't really- until they started attacking *him*. I don't care what you wanna say about me, but they started coming down on him- calling him out- like he's not allowed to change his mind. Shit- I had a tough break-up too before I met Marshall. It took me a long time to get over it! And we weren't even married! God- I had almost a half-year of men-hating in there, but Marshall made me realize that there *are* good men out there.
MM: [In mock tears] That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.
That is really sweet. So, Em, is that what happened with you?
MM: Everyone knows about the divorce. It's common knowledge that we were back and forth for a couple years- Kim and I just went between hating and loving and that's not healthy. Ya know- we had a twisted version of what a marriage was. Shit- when you write about killing each other and then make up after that- that's not right. Yeah- I wrote women off. I didn't think I'd go that route again but as soon as I saw Emmy in person, I knew I was a liar.
Where did you two meet? You've never spoken of that.
[They glance at each other and he shrugs.]
EJ: At a bar in New York. He was on SNL that week and I was there doing some promo for The Singer. We danced and talked a bit. I guess it was the next day that we were seen kissing a bit outside a restaurant and rumors started flying.
What song was it?
EJ: Huh? Oh- the song… well- he didn't realize that the guy I was with that night was my brother. So he wasn't gonna come over and talk to me- so I had the DJ play "Lose Yourself" and I enticed him onto the dance floor.
MM: Enticed? Shit- that ain't the word. She cast a spell on me. I knew it was over. The more I saw of her, the more I *wanted* to see. The more we talked, the more I wanted to know. Falling in love is a very powerful thing… so is being in love. I guess that's where the duet album came from.
Yes. Anyone with a half a brain listened to that album and could obviously feel how much you love each other… So you just kept seeing each other? I'm sure no one has forgotten the pictures in the tabloids not long after that…
EJ: Ya know what?! Fuck- that was horrible. I still can't believe they would print such a blatant violation of our privacy! Oh my god- that was really my first clue that things were really changing.
MM: She was really upset. God- the media was all over her, digging around in her past- I read an article once where it said she'd traded sexual favors to get her movie read by a director… it was unreal. She called me in tears nearly every day during that Europe publicity tour she did that winter.
EJ: Yeah- no one really knows what it's like. Here I was- completely head over heels and being called his whore… home-wrecking whore I believe is what it was. Fuck- I hadn't even met Hailie at the time!
MM: And the funny thing was that we hadn't even had sex yet.
Oh come on! The pictures…
EJ: The pictures were taken momentarily- they didn't show how we never *actually*… shit- no. This isn't anyone's business. Sorry-
No problem, I understand. So- as of the last time we spoke you hadn't really been thinking family… what happened?
MM: [He takes her hand and says] It's really… hard for her to talk about it. But… up until Sarah was actually born, we didn't know if she could even *carry* a child to term.
Oh. God- I don't really know what to say to that.
MM: Fact of the matter is that she'd had three miscarriages before we even met. And around the time of the Grammy's- she lost another.
I'm so sorry- my sister lost a child in her first trimester. I know it was very painful for her-
EJ: It is. It's… I mean- it's a real mind trip- you blame yourself. No matter how many times someone says it wasn't your fault, it doesn't matter. Before I met Marshall- I lost three children with someone who I thought I loved. But when I lost *our* baby- one conceived in more love than I've ever known… god. It fucks with your mind so much…
What about the rumors that you'd OD'd?
EJ: That's… true. I- I lost the baby when he was out of town. He was in Cali when… god- the pain you feel when you *know* something is wrong… when you wake up in a pool of your own blood and you *know* you killed you child and- [She begins crying and leaves the room quickly.]
MM: I'm sorry- she-
No. Please- you can- go to her if you need to.
MM: No. She'll be okay. She wanted this out, publically… she just needs a few minutes… she tries not to blame herself. [His eyes are a tad vacant, staring off into space beyond me as he continues] I *tell* her not to blame herself- but the guy she was with- who she lost the other babies with… he put it all on her and he- [I notice his fists are balled as he says] *hurt* *her*. *Badly*. There's no way to get her *over* that- no way to make her believe it's not her fault.
EJ: I thought he would leave me. [I look up and she's standing in the doorway, staring toward that same empty space behind me that he's looking at.] I woke up and looked down at all the blood- I was only four weeks pregnant and I remember thinking… that night would be the only night I spent in bed with my baby. [She's still crying but it doesn't seem to phase her too much. I decide to just let her talk.]
EJ: I tried calling him, but I couldn't. He hadn't *told* me how much he wanted the baby, but I saw it in his eyes… in the way he'd pass his hand over my belly while we made love- we'd be sitting watching television and I'd feel his fingers rubbing me- our baby… and I *lost* it- my own *body* killed it.
EJ: I left the phone off the hook and got dressed. I don't really remember driving… but I ended up at an ATM and… I got money- a lot of money… went into the city- near 8 Mile and bought everything that the guy had… I was- I wanted to die. [Her legs give out from under her and I didn't even notice that he'd gotten up, but he catches her and carries her to the couch as she cries.]
MM: I was supposed to call her that night and it just rang and rang. I had the operator try to break through the call and she said it was off the hook. I *knew* something was wrong- I just knew it. I got on a plane and called all my friends- told them to start lookin' for her. We got a couple leads- figured out what she'd bought…
EJ: I took it all. God- I can't even remember what it was… pills mainly. Shit- I don't know why I'm not dead. [She looks *directly* at me and says] No. That's not true. I *know* why I'm alive- because that night… he found me. It was… a miracle. He found me. Got me to the hospital and they pumped my stomach…
Where were you?
EJ: At his house- where he grew up- it was vacant at the time, boarded up and I broke in. Just sat down in the living room and just started taking them- I don't remember the knife.
You cut yourself?
EJ: I wanted to bleed… but he found me.
MM: I *need* her. [He kisses her softly at first but they're soon kissing very passionately and I'm not sure if I should leave them alone or not-] Sorry. [He pulls away as she licks his lips and I have to admit- they *are* a bit of a turn-on.]
EJ: So that's the story. It took a few months to sort it out… in my mind. But six months after that- I found out I was pregnant again.
How did you react?
EJ: I was petrified. I didn't tell him at first- I didn't want him to go through that again. Mourning for your child is… *painful*. I wanted to spare him the pain, if I could. I was four months pregnant when I finally told him. The doctor said it was more likely that I'd carry to term if I made it four months.
How did she tell you?
MM: Well- it was Christmas Eve. Hailie was asleep already and I was in bed already when she said she wanted to give me my present early. She handed me the box and I opened it up and it was a round pillow with a baby picture sewn onto it. I looked up at her and she had this…
EJ: It was maternity lingerie that I'd found. I took the pillow and slipped it under the nightgown and asked how I'd look.
Oh- that's so sweet. Very beautiful.
EJ: Up until then, though, I hadn't really let myself believe it. I had convinced myself that it wasn't real and that I was okay with not having a child. I didn't realize how badly I wanted to have a baby with him.
MM: Sort of the same for me- It wasn't until she told me she was pregnant with that baby that I realized how much I wanted to try and have another child. It was really hard having a baby and then losing it. We had sort of decided that we wouldn't try again.
What about Hailie? Does she like being a big sister twice over?
MM: I love my daughter Hailie so much- she's saved me so much more than I ever could save her… I'm glad that she's been able to see it from the beginning. She's too young to remember when Kim had her other daughter- Hailie was too young. But she loves being a big sister. She's really good with younger kids.
So where is it with Kim now? Like you, she's never spoken publically about your relationship or divorce.
MM: Well- before Emma met Hailie- I had a long talk with Kim. She knew I was serious about Emma at the time. She knew that it wasn't gonna go away. After I realized that I was in love with her- we all sat down, the three of us and talked about what that meant. She was living with me at the time, due to safety issues, and I wanted Emma around a bit. She'd met Hailie and she's just so great with kids- Emma just treats every child like her own- her nieces and nephews… Hailie- she loves them as much as we do. So that wasn't an issue.
EJ: Kim and I talked a bit independent of Marshall. I mean- she's known him forever- she's got a really deep connection with him. They share a child and I know now how profound that is. I never wanted to get in the way of that. I never want her to feel like I'm taking over her life or trying to steal her daughter from her.
And it works? Whatever you arranged? Rumor has it that she's still living with you. Is that true?
MM: [He pauses a second.] Yeah- she's living with us, sort of. She came to the house originally because she was bein' stalked- someone was threatening her and Hailie and that's not okay. So she moved in with her daughter and we worked it. I don't want anything to happen to her. Ya know- I've known her since I was like 15- that's a long time. We were friends before we were ever married and I'd like to think that we have that again now. Hailie understands that sometimes people are better off being friends than being married.
That's very grown-up.
MM: Yeah- well… my primary concern is for my children. Hailie loves Emma- but it's really important to me that she understood somewhat about what was going on. And she's really happy, I think.
EJ: She really is. Parents can't really see- but Hailie is really well-adjusted. She understands more than we think- and we're really open about what's happening with her. I've known her for four years now- most of her memories have me in them. Ya know- she knows she has two other sisters and since we all live together- I don't think she's lacking anything.
So you just all live together? Isn't that… a bit… strange?
MM: Oh right- we live together- but she's got her own place. We built a small addition onto the back and she's got her own apartment that joins our house next to Hailie's bedroom.
Interesting. If only all divorced people could get along like that. But, Emma, don't you ever feel threatened?
EJ: Not really. It's strange- but I've never once felt a modicum of jealousy over her. I trust him. Me and her, sort of from the onset formed a sort of… friendship, I guess. And now- what, four years later? We're… *close*. I've been helping her raise her daughter and she's been a part of Sarah's life as well. It may be strange- but it's what works for us. And most importantly- all three children involved are happy and are having all their needs met.
MM: Like I said before… Kim and I finally found a way to relate to each other. And we both- now- laugh about it- we never shoulda been together- never shoulda gotten married. We were too young. We did it for the wrong reasons. But we fixed it for Hailie's sake. We didn't try to make it what it wasn't. Yeah- it hurt like hell, but we're inevitably better for it. [Suddenly, from a baby monitor, a baby starts to fuss.]
EJ: I'll get her.
So- how does it feel to be a father again?
MM: *Again*? You mean still? It's… shit- I'd forgotten how much it takes to have a baby around. Ya know- feedings, changings, playing- she's so small. Even as it was, she delivered early- three weeks.
Really? Was she healthy?
MM: Oh yeah- a little small, but she was healthy. They kept them in the hospital for a week and then we brought them both home. But- it's… hard.
Is this your getaway?
MM: After Doomed came out- and our combined album… things were crazy insane. She said we needed a vacation- someplace warm, since it was winter in Detroit and it gets cold. We looked around and she found online this website where you can just buy islands. She fell in love with this place. We came down- brought Hailie with us and we just loved it. So- yeah- it's our home away from home. Nothing can touch us here.
How so? I'm here…
MM: Yeah- but we don't bring work here. Well- this is the *first* time. And we woulda done it in Detroit- but we were just really happy here and the reason we were gonna go back, besides this, was canceled. So we decided to stay.
Is Hailie here?
MM: Yeah- she's in her room reading.
She's ten, isn't she?
MM: Almost eleven. I can't believe it. Time flies.
So what's next for you professionally?
MM: Well- I don't know. I've got a few things in the works.
Rumor has it, you've paired up again on another movie. Any truth to that?
EJ: Hey! [His face lights up as I turn and see her coming down the stairs with a beautiful little baby in a pretty purple sundress.] *Someone* wanted her Daddy!
MM: Hey, Baby. [He stands and takes the baby from her and immediately coddles her.]
She's beautiful! [And she is. She's just perfect- seems to have gotten, at least for now, the best of both of her parent's features.]
EJ: Thanks. I'ma go get her some chow. [To me] Can I get you anything?
Water would be fine. Thanks. [She leaves and he sits and begins playing with his daughter.] So- where'd the name come from? Sarah Quinn…
MM: Well- she had so many ultrasounds during the pregnancy, but we never found out if it was a girl or boy. So while she was in labor- we were flipping through a baby name book. Hailie actually picked out Sarah- she said she really thought it was pretty.
EJ: Okay- here, bottle for the baby and a water for you, Jane.
Thanks a lot. Marshall was just telling me where you came up with the baby's name.
EJ: Oh yeah- well Hailie picked 'Sarah' and afterward, we were sittin' there and he was just rhyming… about the baby and us and Hailie- just goin' off and what was it- something 'thin' and he rhymed it with 'Quinn'.
MM: She turned to me and said 'that's it- Sarah Quinn'. And it stuck.
It's beautiful. She's beautiful as well.
MM: That's 'cause she don't have my nose yet.
EJ: OH stop- I *like* your nose.
MM: You *would*.
So- what's next in the land of Em and Em?
EJ: We're obviously committed to our family… Sarah needs a lot of our attention right now, as does Hailie.
Any plans for another baby down the road?
EJ: I'd *love* to fill the house up with kids. I mean- we've got, what… ten bedrooms?
MM: Let's not get carried away, though. Two's plenty to worry about for now.
EJ: For now [she says before kissing him and cradling the baby to feed her.]
Any new projects? Rumor has it that you're scheduled to start shooting another movie together.
EJ: Well… I think it's beyond rumor now. Universal confirmed it a few weeks ago and start publicizing it.
Well- I didn't wanna be rude.
EJ: Oh- well- there's a script written. Completed. I wrote it while I was pregnant and the past few months, I met with a few different people and we beefed it up, changed, added and we got the final copy to the big wigs- so it looks like we're a go.
What's it about? Is it titled?
MM: It's title is We and it's hysterical. I read it the other day- anyone who thinks she can only pull off drama is *wrong*- this thing is a stroke of genius.
So can you give me the scoop? What are your characters? How soon until we'll see it in the theatres?
EJ: Oh god- probably a year or so… we've got most of our cast though- I'll of course be writing the score some time… we're gonna start filming in two months- it'll be a three month shoot in LA.
Yeah- but what's it about?! [I'm persistent for all you Em'n'Em fans out there and it paid off!]
EJ: Okay- Rolling Stone inside scoop- it's about a brother and sister and sort of what an adult relationship would be. They're both involved with other people- obviously- and it's sort of how they react as adults versus how they were as kids. We'll be flashing back a bit and then seeing how the brother reacts when he say… finds his sister makin' out with someone. Or how she'd react finding him on some girl in a movie theatre…
MM: It's really funny- smart and it's got a bit of substance to it too- there are some mix-ups and voice-overs, I guess. I think it'll be good.
And you'll both be in it?
EJ: He has yet to sign his name on the dotted line- but he *will*.
MM: Maybe.
EJ: He *will*.
MM: What makes you so sure? [He asks with a grin. She leans over to him and whispers something in his ear- although try as hard as I can, I can't make out what she says. It earns her a swallow from him and then he turns to me and says] Yeah- there's definitely a strong possibility that I'll be signing as soon as we get back to the states.
Well- I have to say, every time I meet with you, together or separately, it's always entertaining.
EJ: We try our best.
And I appreciate it. So… any immediate plans? Perhaps relating to a wedding of some kind?!
EJ & MM: NO!
Funny- you gave me the same response the last time.
EJ: I just don't believe in marriage. Especially for the sake of a child.
Don't believe in marriage?!
EJ: No. What's the difference if a piece of paper says we're legally bound? That's all it is anyway- a piece of paper. I'll be no more in love with him if I've got a wedding ring on my finger or not.
MM: We had a long talk about this- a while ago. And she's right. I didn't wanna get married again and she don't really believe in it… so-
You're happy just being the way you are.
EJ: Yeah- why mess it up? We know we love each other and the kids know that. In the end- that's all that matters.
Well, more power to you! I hope you have years of happiness ahead. Any last words?
EJ: Yeah… thanks to all the fans, people who have sent us cards and gifts- we've got so many of them! Thanks-
MM: And to all of ya'll who still hate us? [He glances at her with a smile and she covers the baby's ears.
EJ & MM: We *still* don't give a fuck! [They say together in true Eminem fashion, yet again.]
-Jane Jones, Rolling Stone Magazine
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THE END
Author: crazyevildru@yahoo.com
These stories are for entertainment purposes only. They are completely fictitious, and the authors mean no harm to EMINEM, his family, friends, or anyone else that may have been depicted as a 'real life' character. No money was made on the fiction here, either directly or indirectly, i.e. paid advertising. In other words - it's just a bunch of shit we wrote for fun. Please don't take it seriously.