Megan Thee Stallion opens up about her late mother in a new documentary

Megan Thee Stallion was inspired by her late mother and found the strength to open up in the new Prime Video documentary “Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words.”

Directed by Nneka Onuorah, the film captures the rapper (real name Megan Pete) as she struggles with grief, the death of her mother and manager Holly Thomas from cancer in 2019, and mental health issues that included suicidal thoughts. The document also addresses the sentencing of Tory Lanez after he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting her in a street attack in 2020.

“I really feel like I got a lot of strength from my mom,” Megan told me at the documentary's premiere Wednesday night at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood. “I know my mother was very outspoken and very tough, and once I found my mother's voice within me, I thought, 'Go out there and tell people exactly who you are.' That’s what we’re doing today.”

Onuorah said Megan was “hesitant at first” when they began filming two years ago. “Sometimes she didn’t show up for filming,” Onuorah said. “One time we had to turn aside at three in the morning. She said, “Hey, come to the studio.” I met her in the studio and I was like, “Look, man, I'm not here to hurt you.” I'm here to support you as a woman. And I know it's hard out here, but I really want you to thrive and I really want your story to be told from your perspective.” And she agreed.”

The two spent many hours alone together. Onuorah was often director and camerawoman at the same time. “In order to get Megan to open up, I had to open up,” she said. “I literally opened my soul to her. I usually have a team that I direct to film the artist. But in this case, I told her, “I'll stay with you.” I'll film your trips and when you're home or in your car, I'll be there.” I would give it myself.

“I was aware that I was pushing her too far,” she continued. “I always checked in with her. I could somehow sense where she was. That's why I was there the whole time. But then when I had to push, I pushed and said, 'Come on, we have to do this.' I'm here with you.” Sometimes it was just like holding each other arm for arm and just saying, 'I got your girl.'”

“Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words,” presented by Amazon MGM Studios, is a TIME Studios and Roc Nation production in association with Nneka Productions.

IMAX has partnered with Amazon Prime Video to premiere the film simultaneously at the TCL Chinese Theater and 10 other IMAX theaters across the U.S. on Wednesday

Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words is now available on Prime Video.