Eminem's Ex: Love Turns to Hate

Feb. 2, 2007 — -- Getting revenge against an ex isn't just the stuff of movies and television dramas. Not only do many people fantasize about revenge when their relationships end, you might be shocked by just how many actually act on those fantasies.

New York divorce attorney Suzanne Bracker cautions couples about their dark impulses, but says that unfortunately, they don't always listen.

"In every single case I have my clients tell me how he or she wants to exact revenge on their ex," Bracker said.

Bracker says that both ordinary people and celebrities want revenge against their former lovers. One person who says she experienced the devastating impact of a lover's revenge is rapper Eminem's ex-wife, Kim Mathers. Recently divorced for the second time, Mathers sat down for an exclusive interview with "20/20's" JuJu Chang to set the record straight about her bad girl image and her near 20-year love-hate relationship with the rap icon.

"Money is great, but it doesn't make your husband stay at home with you," said Mathers. "Or sleep in the same bed with you … Him being on the road and on tour … that was like the big one. I mean … constant infidelities, all the time," she said.

The difficult times were a far cry from the early years of the couple's relationship. When the two first met, Mathers was 13 years old and Eminem was 15. They were two kids from troubled families who vowed to always protect each other.

"If he got kicked out, then I would walk the streets with him until he found a place to live, or if I got kicked out, he was always there for me. It was just a close connection," said Mathers.

But that connection suffered when Eminem found stardom as a rapper. When he hit, he hit big. Success transformed him into hip-hop royalty, and with fame, came trouble.