The dark side to being a celebrity assistant
All industries have pros and cons, especially celebrity personal assistant jobs. As with all roles in life, finding the right "fit" is important to one's happiness. Working in Hollywood with movie icons or pop stars can be very glamorous because celebrity assistants get to ride in private jets and walk on red carpets, but it also has its drawbacks.
There have been a number of high-profile lawsuits between celebrities and their personal assistants; most notably between Robert DeNiro, Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell, Taryn Manning, Courtney Love, and Amber Heard. This article is a cautionary tale of why it's important to have a very thorough interview process before agreeing to accept a personal assistant job.
There have been a number of high-profile lawsuits between celebrities and their personal assistants; most notably between Robert DeNiro, Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell, Taryn Manning, Courtney Love, and Amber Heard. This article is a cautionary tale of why it's important to have a very thorough interview process before agreeing to accept a personal assistant job.
Why do things go bad between celebrities and their assistants?
When personal assistants first start working with their celebrity bosses, everyone is on their best behavior. The assistants are usually eager to please their employers, and the celebrities are quite comfortable enough to "let their hair down." But and time goes on, two things usually happen:
First, the celebrity PA starts to get burnt out once the "honeymoon" period is over. In short, the excitement of working for a star wares off, and they are tired of working 60 to 70 hours a week.
Next, as the celebrity's comfort level evens out, their "true colors" will emerge. They start getting more demanding and get upset if they don't get what they want. The assistants grow tired of "grey area" requests, which can include working very late nights or even being asked to procure questionable substances.
First, the celebrity PA starts to get burnt out once the "honeymoon" period is over. In short, the excitement of working for a star wares off, and they are tired of working 60 to 70 hours a week.
Next, as the celebrity's comfort level evens out, their "true colors" will emerge. They start getting more demanding and get upset if they don't get what they want. The assistants grow tired of "grey area" requests, which can include working very late nights or even being asked to procure questionable substances.
What can celebrities and their assistants do to avoid conflicts?
Most of the time when celebrities hire assistants, they don't do it through a professional staffing agency. Hiring an experienced headhunter is a very important step because "experience counts." The recruiter can be in the middle and play the role of mediator. An experienced staffing agent know what kind of questions to ask the celebrity and the assistant to make sure they are the right match for each other.
If too many unknowns are left on the table when hiring an assistant, then seemingly small gaps will become large crevices in no time. When a personal assistant has reached the end of their rope, and the celebrity is practicing "diva antics," that's when the relationship will fall apart. Then, unfortunately, that's when people start suing each other.
If too many unknowns are left on the table when hiring an assistant, then seemingly small gaps will become large crevices in no time. When a personal assistant has reached the end of their rope, and the celebrity is practicing "diva antics," that's when the relationship will fall apart. Then, unfortunately, that's when people start suing each other.
