The Truth Behind Eminem’s Stan: Was He Real?

At the turn of the century, one Marshall Bruce Mathers (aka Eminem) released a musical story of a crazed fan who loved him so much that he drove himself to the brink. Dido’s voice accompanies the verses and sings the chorus with a gentleness that can make even the toughest Stan in the room tear up.

Eminem / Dr. Dre and Eminem / Eminem / Eminem and Devon Sawa

Source: Getty Images

Twenty years later, fans are still wondering whether Stan was based on a real person, whether the letters Eminem read out loud were words of an actual obsessed fan who was willing to give up his life for just one little response from the rapper.

Let’s find out.