Honestly, the "Real Slim Shady" has been a ghost in the dating world for so long that most people just assumed he retired from romance entirely. Since the mid-2000s, Marshall Mathers has basically been the Bigfoot of celebrity relationships—spotted occasionally in the wild, usually at a Detroit Lions game or a studio, but never with a partner on his arm.
But things changed in late 2025.
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If you've been asking who does Eminem date, the answer finally has a name attached to it that isn't his ex-wife, Kim. According to major reports from E! News and TMZ in October 2025, Eminem is dating Katrina Malota. She isn't some random influencer he met on an app; she’s a Michigan-based stylist and makeup artist who has been in his inner circle for years.
It’s the first time in nearly two decades that he’s had what looks like a "public" relationship. And by public, I mean "the internet found out," because Marshall himself isn't exactly posting "couple goals" selfies on Instagram.
The Katrina Malota Connection: Who Is She?
So, who is she? Katrina Malota isn't new to the game. She’s a professional who’s worked with some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg. But her tie to Eminem is deep. She’s been his longtime stylist, handling his grooming and hair for music videos and photoshoots for well over a decade.
It's that classic "falling for the person who’s been right there all along" trope.
Sources say they’ve been dating for a while, but they kept it under wraps because, well, it’s Eminem. The guy is notoriously private. He once told Vulture back in 2017 that dating was "tough" and that he’d been on a few dates that didn't pan out. He even joked about using Tinder and Grindr (which most fans took as a classic Shady troll).
Why this relationship feels different
For years, fans speculated that Em would never move on. His history with Kim Scott was so explosive and so documented in his lyrics that it felt like he was emotionally "locked in" to that era. Seeing him with Katrina, someone who lives in Michigan and understands the "industry" but stays out of the limelight, feels like a massive shift.
She works at a salon in Birmingham, Michigan, when she isn’t on set. That’s very "Marshall." He’s never been one for the Hollywood glitz; he stays in Detroit, shops at local spots, and keeps his circle tiny.
The Kim Scott Era: A Shadow That Lingered
You can't talk about who Eminem dates without looking at the shadow of Kim Scott. They met when they were kids—she was 13, he was 15. It was a chaotic, beautiful, and eventually destructive love story that defined an entire generation of rap music.
They married in 1999. Divorced in 2001.
They remarried in January 2006. Divorced again by April 2006.
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It was messy. He wrote "Kim," a song so violent and raw it’s still hard to listen to today. She sued him. They fought for custody of Hailie. It was the kind of toxic cycle that usually leaves people too burnt to ever try again.
But here’s the thing: they actually ended up as friends. By 2016, Kim was telling radio shows that they were "really close" and just focused on co-parenting. Even as recently as 2024 and 2025, they’ve been seen together at family events, like their daughter Hailie Jade’s wedding in May 2024.
The Rumor Mill: Mariah, Brittany, and the Rest
Outside of Kim, Eminem's dating history is mostly a collection of brief sparks and massive feuds.
- Brittany Murphy: They starred together in 8 Mile (2002). They definitely had a thing. Brittany once confirmed they dated briefly, calling him "brilliant" and "sweet." Her passing in 2009 reportedly hit Marshall hard.
- Mariah Carey: This is the one that never dies. Eminem claimed they dated for about six months in 2001. Mariah has denied it since day one. This led to a decade of diss tracks, most notably "The Warning" and Mariah's "Obsessed." Whether they actually "dated" or just hung out, it remains the most famous non-confirmed relationship in pop history.
- Nicki Minaj: In 2018, there was a brief moment where everyone thought they were dating because of a few playful Instagram comments. It turned out to be just that—playful.
Why is he so private?
It’s easy to forget that Eminem is one of the most famous humans on the planet. For him, "going on a date" isn't just grabbing coffee. It’s a security detail, paparazzi, and 20 million people analyzing the girl’s Instagram history within five minutes.
He’s admitted to having major trust issues. When you’re that wealthy and that famous, you have to wonder: Do they like me, or do they like the idea of me? That’s probably why Katrina Malota works. She knew him before the 2024 comeback, before the later-career Grammys, and presumably, she’s seen him at his most "regular."
The Hailie Factor
Another reason Marshall stayed single for so long? He was a full-time dad. Not just to Hailie, but to Alaina and Stevie as well. He famously prioritized his kids over everything else, often skipping major awards shows just to stay home in Michigan.
Now that his kids are grown—Hailie is married and recently announced she’s expecting her first child—the "empty nest" might have finally pushed him to focus on his own life.
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What This Means for the Music
Fans always wonder: Will a happy Eminem still make good music? Historically, his best stuff came from pain and anger. But in 2026, we’re seeing a version of Marshall that seems... settled. If he is indeed in a stable relationship with Katrina, the music might move away from the "bitter ex" tropes and into something more introspective.
We saw flashes of this on recent projects where he’s more focused on his legacy and his technical skill than on personal beefs.
Actionable Insights: Following the Story Correcty
If you're trying to keep up with who Eminem is dating without falling for "clickbait" or fake TikTok rumors, here is how to filter the noise:
- Look for Michigan sightings: Since Em rarely leaves the Detroit area, any real relationship news usually breaks from local Michigan sources or "inner circle" leaks to TMZ.
- Check the credits: Notice that Katrina Malota has been in his orbit for 15 years. If rumors pop up about a "new mystery woman," check if she’s actually just a member of his long-term professional staff.
- Ignore the "Diss Track" bait: Just because he mentions a female celebrity in a song doesn't mean they're dating. In 2026, he’s still using celebrity names for rhymes and punchlines—it's just his style.
- Respect the privacy: Marshall hasn't done a "soft launch" of a girlfriend in 20 years. If it isn't coming from a Tier 1 news outlet with specific details, it’s probably a fan-made theory.
Ultimately, at 53 years old, Marshall Mathers seems to have finally found a balance between being the world-conquering Slim Shady and just being a guy from Detroit who found a partner he can trust. Whether he ever walks a red carpet with Katrina Malota remains to be seen, but for the first time in a long time, the house in Clinton Township isn't so quiet.
Keep an eye on the upcoming 2026 festival appearances; if Katrina is backstage, you’ll know the rumors weren't just rumors.