Through his publicist, Eminem says he wants to reach out to devastated auto communities like Flint and others.
Wednesday several members of UAW Local 524 who are making the unusual trip spoke about the gesture Wednesday.
Charlene Jones didn't expect the offer.
"I got the phone call Sunday, asking what am I doing for the weekend," she said. "I said, 'Nothing.' And he was like, 'You want to go to L.A.?'"
That's when her union shop chairman told her rapper Eminem was flying 200 laid-off auto workers to watch his appearance on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live!
"You only have to ask me once," Jones said.
Jones is now booked on a charter flight out of Detroit to catch Friday night's show. She's told all expenses will be paid, including an overnight hotel stay.
It's a welcome distraction after being unemployed since September.
"There's no jobs out there," said Bob Dunn.
Dunn and Chris Dark were laid off from the same auto supplier (Lear Corporation) in Fenton.
"It's tough. There's no light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak," Dark said.
They feel other workers who took buyouts have gotten more media attention, so they're glad the rap star is focusing on them. But is this just a publicity stunt?
"You want to pay me for my trip to L.A.? I'll be a publicity stunt for you any time," Dark said.
Jones, meanwhile, has never been to Los Angeles, so she has a message for Eminem.
"Thank you. You know, a lot of us being out of work. That, you, know killed out plans of going on vacations and all of that stuff, so it's something bright that we have to look forward to," she said.
The workers are set to leave Friday morning.
They expect to return Saturday night after squeezing in some time for sightseeing.
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