Celebrity NDA: Non-disclosure Agreement
In the world of working for celebrities, high-net-worth families and billionaires, there is one thing that has become ubiquitous: A confidentiality agreement.
As a headhunter for celebrities and high-profile sports figures, NDAs are standard operating procedure now. In the old days when I was a personal assistant to the super-rich, we gave an oral promise to protect the VIP we worked for. Well, they don't do it that way anymore.
As a headhunter for celebrities and high-profile sports figures, NDAs are standard operating procedure now. In the old days when I was a personal assistant to the super-rich, we gave an oral promise to protect the VIP we worked for. Well, they don't do it that way anymore.
What is a celebrity confidentiality agreement?
They can be very complex, and we will talk about the specifics. Firstly, I am not a lawyer, but I have been dealing with confidentiality agreements for decades. If you need legal advice, speak to a lawyer in your area.
Simply put, NDAs prevent employees or independent contractors that work for celebrities from speaking to any other person about what they see, hear, or learn about the celebrity that they are working for. In essence, it's like a "gag order," but in reverse.
Simply put, NDAs prevent employees or independent contractors that work for celebrities from speaking to any other person about what they see, hear, or learn about the celebrity that they are working for. In essence, it's like a "gag order," but in reverse.
Why do celebrities & billionaires want employees to sign an NDA?
NDAs protect tell all stories
As I mentioned before, public figures used to go on "the word" of the person that worked for them; but unfortunately, people have violated that trust and revealed confidential information that they should not have.
Technically, giving your word is an "oral contract," but it will become a case of "he said, she said" without an NDA in writing. Here are just some of many examples of what can go wrong:
One of the most powerful figures in the history of Hollywood is Michael Ovitz. Long story short, his former nanny decided to write a tell-all book, which sent shockwaves through Hollywood.
More recently, Lady Gaga's assistant had a falling out with the superstar and decided to go to a publishing company to cut a book deal. These are the sort of situations that celebrities are trying to avoid.
Technically, giving your word is an "oral contract," but it will become a case of "he said, she said" without an NDA in writing. Here are just some of many examples of what can go wrong:
One of the most powerful figures in the history of Hollywood is Michael Ovitz. Long story short, his former nanny decided to write a tell-all book, which sent shockwaves through Hollywood.
More recently, Lady Gaga's assistant had a falling out with the superstar and decided to go to a publishing company to cut a book deal. These are the sort of situations that celebrities are trying to avoid.
Is the Kardashian NDA I saw posted online real?
I haven't read it, so I can't say. It is very common for high-profile people, like the Kardashians, to have those close to them sign an NDA. It has nothing to do with trust; it's business. Celebrities don't want anyone to disclose confidential information. Not only is it embarrassing, but it's bad for business and it can hurt a celebrity's personal brand.
Although a celebrity is a public figure, it doesn't give people "carte blanche" to say anything they'd like. Celebrities are entitled to privacy and want to keep personal matters confidential. Therefore, most staff that work for A-listers are required to sign an NDA.
Although a celebrity is a public figure, it doesn't give people "carte blanche" to say anything they'd like. Celebrities are entitled to privacy and want to keep personal matters confidential. Therefore, most staff that work for A-listers are required to sign an NDA.
What about "free speech" after you sign an NDA?
NDAs bind parties by law
Sorry, but free speech doesn't apply when it comes to revealing the private details of a person's life. When you sign a confidentiality agreement, you are bound by law. If you have access to the rich and famous, then the VIP will want to protect their privacy.
Generally speaking, the law will be on the side of celebrities if you sign an NDA.
Generally speaking, the law will be on the side of celebrities if you sign an NDA.
What if I break a celebrity NDA?
The short version: You could find yourself in serious legal trouble. Celebrities can typically outspend their personal assistants that work for them. If you break the non-disclosure agreement, you could also be pursued for "punitive damages," which could be in the millions.
There are some exceptions to breaking an NDA, and that's if you are served with a court order to speak. These situations are complex; and again, you would need to speak with a lawyer for advice.
There are some exceptions to breaking an NDA, and that's if you are served with a court order to speak. These situations are complex; and again, you would need to speak with a lawyer for advice.
Can I use a celebrity NDA template that I found online?
We wouldn't recommend using a celebrity NDA template that you found on the internet. Firstly, if you present your own version of a confidentiality agreement that someone other than the celebrity's lawyer wrote, they probably wouldn't accept it.
Secondly, each employment situation is unique, so a lawyer would need to draft a non-disclosure agreement that is specific to the circumstance. With NDAs, it's not "one size fits all."
Secondly, each employment situation is unique, so a lawyer would need to draft a non-disclosure agreement that is specific to the circumstance. With NDAs, it's not "one size fits all."
Are all parties protected with a confidentiality agreement?
NDAs obligate both parties
Typically, no. We can't say that the celebrity NDAs are entirely one-sided, but they are drafted by a lawyer to protect the VIP client. Each party would need to have an independent lawyer review the agreement and make recommendations.
To be clear, a celebrity or billionaire may not break the law and then ask you to be bound by the agreement. For example, if the celebrity didn't pay you owed wages, then you are entitled to legal recourse. The NDA document could become null and void under certain circumstances, and you should consult with a lawyer to know your rights.
To be clear, a celebrity or billionaire may not break the law and then ask you to be bound by the agreement. For example, if the celebrity didn't pay you owed wages, then you are entitled to legal recourse. The NDA document could become null and void under certain circumstances, and you should consult with a lawyer to know your rights.
Are confidentiality agreements reserved for full-time employees?
No. Let's say a vendor were to visit an estate to repair a home theater system. That vendor could be asked to sign one. If they refuse, then the celebrity can arrange to have another professional to make the repairs. As long as the VIP is working within the laws of the state and does business according to the law, then there is nothing to prevent them from asking.
What if a housekeeper speaks Spanish and the NDA is in English?
That's a great question. A lawyer can draft a bilingual document. It would be difficult to get someone to honor an agreement if they didn't even know what they've signed. If you are a celebrity employer, be sure to have your lawyer provide the necessary documents to the new hire. Have a bilingual document made.
The NDA should list all of the terms and conditions for employment. Without following a legal framework, the non-disclosure agreement won't be valid. In addition to having the candidate sign the NDA, we also recommend doing a background check.
The NDA should list all of the terms and conditions for employment. Without following a legal framework, the non-disclosure agreement won't be valid. In addition to having the candidate sign the NDA, we also recommend doing a background check.
The last word on celebrity NDAs in 2024
Headhunters can help protect celebrities
The purpose of the confidentiality agreement is to protect the privacy of the high-profile public figure. It's not made to restrict the freedom or liberty of the person who signs it.
Man or woman, young or old, the NDA is meant to replace the spoken promise to stay quiet that is often broken. Celebrities can no longer take the word of the employee alone. After all, the private life of the VIP is at stake.
When celebrities hire staff, it's also recommended to go through a domestic staffing agent because they can handle the issue of a confidentiality agreement, and it won't be uncomfortable or confrontational for the employer.
Further, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are all part of business and both parties should be fully aware of all parties' rights. If the person signing the agreement isn't a native speaker of English, then they should have access to a lawyer to review their personal obligations.
Man or woman, young or old, the NDA is meant to replace the spoken promise to stay quiet that is often broken. Celebrities can no longer take the word of the employee alone. After all, the private life of the VIP is at stake.
When celebrities hire staff, it's also recommended to go through a domestic staffing agent because they can handle the issue of a confidentiality agreement, and it won't be uncomfortable or confrontational for the employer.
Further, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are all part of business and both parties should be fully aware of all parties' rights. If the person signing the agreement isn't a native speaker of English, then they should have access to a lawyer to review their personal obligations.
FILED UNDER: NDA celebrity, confidentiality agreement, 2024, confidentiality clause
