Megan Thee Stallion Bares All in Raw New Documentary 'In Her Words'
Prime Video documentary offers intimate look at rapper's journey through grief, trauma and triumph, revealing vulnerable side behind public persona
December 2, 2024 Prime Video documentary offers intimate look at rapper's journey through grief, trauma and triumph, revealing vulnerable side behind public persona
December 2, 2024Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion reveals her most vulnerable side in the new Prime Video documentary "Megan: In Her Words," which premiered October 31. The intimate film, directed by Nneka Onuorah, offers an unprecedented look behind the artist's confident public persona to explore her battles with grief, trauma, and mental health.
The documentary follows Pete during a pivotal period beginning in 2022, capturing both her meteoric rise to fame and private struggles. While dominating charts and stages worldwide, the rapper simultaneously grappled with the devastating loss of her mother and the aftermath of being shot by fellow artist Tory Lanez.
"This film is Megan's open book into her heart during one of the hardest times of her life," Onuorah told TIME magazine. "It highlights how grief and depression can take a toll on your life and your experiences."
Breaking from traditional music documentary formats, "In Her Words" eschews talking-head interviews in favor of intimate vérité footage. Onuorah followed Pete across multiple continents, from Tokyo to Paris, often filming one-on-one to build trust with her subject. The resulting footage captures Pete's candid admissions about using her Megan Thee Stallion persona as a "mask" while battling depression, paralyzing nightmares, and isolation.
In particularly revealing moments, Pete discusses calling 911 during a severe anxiety attack, telling Onuorah, "I didn't feel like my life had value." The film also documents her ongoing grief over losing her mother Holly Thomas to brain cancer in 2019, showing emotional visits to her mother's grave in Houston.
While Pete's hits like "Savage" and "WAP" dominated 2020's cultural conversation, the documentary reveals she was privately struggling with substance use and partying to numb her pain. "I keep getting lit, thinking I'm going to get through this pain," Pete confesses in the film.
The documentary also addresses the highly publicized 2020 shooting incident involving Tory Lanez, though it focuses more on Pete's emotional recovery than new details about the event. Lanez was ultimately convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Despite initial hesitation about being filmed, Pete's collaboration with Onuorah has produced what Forbes calls "a less-glitzy take on Megan Thee Stallion's humanity." The documentary's release coincides with a successful period in Pete's career, including her recent No. 1 single "HISS" and sold-out Madison Square Garden performance.
"Most of us say we're strong, but we've never had millions of people every day lying on us, saying negative things about us," Onuorah reflected. "I commend Megan for her resilience throughout this process to still come out on top."
"Megan: In Her Words" is now streaming on Prime Video, presented by Amazon MGM Studios in association with Roc Nation and TIME Studios.
