Latto is one of the biggest stars in rap and hip-hop today, but when it comes to her first encounter with Eminem, she admits she couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous and awkward.
During a Dec. 4 appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Latto, 25, shared the story of her run-in with the legendary rapper, confessing that the interaction didn’t go exactly as she’d hoped. The conversation was prompted when Hudson, 43, asked about Eminem’s guest appearance as a judge on season 2 of Rhythm + Flow, the Netflix music competition series where Latto herself serves as a permanent judge.
Latto, who was clearly still processing the experience, explained that she was “so gagged” (in other words, totally starstruck) when she met Eminem. “I was like, ‘Oh, I bombed that. He thinks I’m weird because I just was like, ahh. I didn’t know what to say, so I was like, ‘Gah, thank you!’” she said, reflecting on her awkwardness in the moment.
The interaction took place during Eminem’s appearance on the show, where he revealed to the contestants that he was a fan of Latto’s music. This revelation left Latto in disbelief. “My daddy listened to Eminem so much growing up, that’s, like, probably his favorite rapper,” she recalled. “So, it was just like, ‘Oh, don’t lie to me. For real?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah.’”
The Big Energy hitmaker continued, laughing at the memory, “Then I asked for a picture later, and he was like, ‘Yeah.’ He probably thinks I’m a little awkward.” Despite the slight awkwardness, Latto appeared genuinely thrilled by the encounter, especially given her deep admiration for Eminem and his influence on her upbringing.
For Latto, this meeting marked a full-circle moment. Growing up, she remembers how her father would play Eminem’s music nonstop. To now find herself in a position where the rapper was acknowledging her work was both surreal and humbling. Still, Latto couldn’t shake the feeling that Eminem might’ve walked away thinking she was a bit “awkward.”
Latto’s appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show didn’t stop there. The rising star also spoke about her role as a judge on Rhythm + Flow, where she mentors up-and-coming rap and hip-hop artists. She explained how, as one of three permanent judges alongside Ludacris and DJ Khaled, the show was a unique opportunity for her to provide the kind of mentorship she didn’t have growing up.
Reflecting on her journey to fame, Latto shared that being a mentor on the show reignited a passion inside her, reminding her of the drive and hunger she felt in her early days. “It reminded me of when I started out,” she said. “I be like, ‘I’m a rapper. I make music. I’m not a reality TV star.’”
For Latto, the reality TV world might be a secondary focus, but she remains dedicated to her artistry. Despite taking on this new role, she emphasized that music remains her number one priority. In fact, she explained that her appearance on The Rap Game in 2016, where she emerged as the winner, marked the start of her successful career, but being a judge years later still feels surreal.
In August, the 2025 Grammy-nominated rapper released her third studio album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea (SHIT), which continues to solidify her place at the forefront of the hip-hop scene.
For Latto, it’s clear that music is her true calling. But even with her rapid rise to fame, she’s still processing moments like meeting Eminem — and still questioning whether she left a lasting impression.
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