What Does It Take to Work for a Celebrity?
Many professionals within the private service and childcare industry see working for a celebrity as the pinnacle of one's career. Imagine working for megastars such as David Beckham, Justin Bieber (maybe not.) or Beyoncé? I think many would at least enjoy the challenge of working for extremely high-profile personalities! So, what do you need when working for a Hollywood A-lister or Fortune 100 CEO? I had the chance to have a Q&A with celebrity recruiter Brian Daniel, who specifically recruits well-known celebrities.
How did you find yourself working in the celebrity recruitment niche?
Like many of the candidates I represent, I got into the business by accident. I met someone from a Johnson & Johnson family member, and he needed an assistant at the time. Because my background and skills fit his particular needs, everything fell into place very nicely.
After that first personal assistant job ended, my appetite for another gig was strong, so I decided to stay in that field. I worked for several high-profile individuals/families in and out of Hollywood. You could wealthiest people I worked for would have to be The Saudi Royal Family.
After that first personal assistant job ended, my appetite for another gig was strong, so I decided to stay in that field. I worked for several high-profile individuals/families in and out of Hollywood. You could wealthiest people I worked for would have to be The Saudi Royal Family.
Why do private service professionals intend to work for a celebrity? What is the big attraction?
It is human nature: The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. I can't say that working for a celebrity is "better" – it's different. Suppose one started a career working with a HNW family. In that case, it's natural to be attracted to a Hollywood-style job after a while. And the exact opposite is also true. The bottom line is that you must evaluate each job's good and bad aspects and decide what's best for you.
How does one get a celebrity personal assistant or estate manager job?
Most jobs with celebrities are in what we call "the hidden job market." Simply put, the jobs are word-of-mouth and are not advertised on job sites or obtained through employment agencies. Most celebrities (actors, directors, star athletes, high-profile CEOs, etc.) want a referral through someone they know because they're so protective of their personal lives.
At some point, though, a celebrity will need to use an employment agency or headhunter because they eventually exhaust all of their options (childhood friends, nieces/nephews, agent's neighbor, etc.).
At some point, though, a celebrity will need to use an employment agency or headhunter because they eventually exhaust all of their options (childhood friends, nieces/nephews, agent's neighbor, etc.).
What do celebrities look for in an assistant?
Working for a celebrity is so much more than skill and capability. Mainly, they are looking for someone trustworthy. Above and beyond that, the job requires a lot of sacrifice. Although the job can be glamorous, it usually involves a lot of hours: 10 to 12 a day. And working six days a week is expected.
How different is working for a celebrity compared to a billionaire?
There are pros and cons to every working situation. When working with celebrities, you have the glamour factor; meeting other A-list celebrities and attending red-carpet events is expected. Conversely, working with high-net-worth families is sometimes less stressful and certainly fewer hours, so you have to weigh the benefits of each job with your career goals.
Last but certainly not least, working for celebrities usually pays a little (or a lot) less. That's not always true, but celebs know that having access to a fabulous lifestyle has a lot of monetary value, so they pay less because they can.
Last but certainly not least, working for celebrities usually pays a little (or a lot) less. That's not always true, but celebs know that having access to a fabulous lifestyle has a lot of monetary value, so they pay less because they can.
Does working for a celebrity add more employability to your resume for future opportunities?
Yes, absolutely! I get calls from high-net-worth families worldwide, and many of them specifically request someone who has worked for a celebrity. There are several reasons for this: First, if a celebrity hired the assistant in the first place, the assistant is considered trustworthy. Second, working for a celebrity is very time-consuming and grueling, so if one can take that kind of heat and pressure, they are a good fit for many billionaires because some lead a jet-set life with a break-neck schedule.
What mindset should a person have when taking on a position inside a celebrity home or office?
You have to know that you're on-call 24/7. Some people just aren't ready for that. For that reason, many of my celebrity clients specifically request a candidate with at least six to eight years of experience working for more than one celebrity because many personal assistants can cave in under pressure; so, the employers want a seasoned candidate who's proven themselves to be worthy.
How much mental adaptation is there for a person working for a celebrity for the first time?
It would help if you had a lot. When someone gets their first job with a celebrity (regardless of how the position was obtained), it rarely comes with any orientation or training process. You're thrown into a fire and have to hit the ground running. One must juggle personal and professional schedules and work quickly to meet deadlines.
What should be considered paramount when working as a celebrity assistant?
Every job is different, so what's essential for one employer is only sometimes valid for another. But having a network of contacts is very important because you have to be able to solve problems quickly. You're not allowed to say "no" to your boss. Building contacts through networking is essential, so everyone you meet should be put into your phone (and ensure your data is backed up, of course). One small example would be for an assistant to introduce themselves to the managers of all the top restaurants in town so that you can get a table at a popular place on a busy Friday night without notice.
You need to become an expert in everything related to your boss's profession. Suppose you work for an actor or other entertainment industry professional. In that case, you should know how the agents, managers, publicity reps, and movie studios work together.
Finally, knowing how to book a private jet (and all the different models) is essential. Most celebs don't own a jet but use them frequently.
You need to become an expert in everything related to your boss's profession. Suppose you work for an actor or other entertainment industry professional. In that case, you should know how the agents, managers, publicity reps, and movie studios work together.
Finally, knowing how to book a private jet (and all the different models) is essential. Most celebs don't own a jet but use them frequently.
Are celebrities the most difficult to please?
Unfortunately, I'm going to have to say yes. It's not that billionaires and high-net-worth families aren't demanding their personal assistants because they are. But with celebrities, everything is turned up to the highest level. Sure, there are some very kind employers like George Clooney and Steven Spielberg (who are very well-known for being kind and generous to their staff). Still, many celebrities are used to getting "star treatment," and it's very addicting. Once you've tasted that life, accepting things any other way is hard. It's just life.
For an experienced celebrity assistant, what is the next step up?
The long-term prospects in the celebrity assistant world are usually limited. Most personal assistant jobs with the Hollywood types don't have the long-term career prospects that high-net-worth families and billionaires can offer. So, it's perfect to do a celebrity personal assistant job at the beginning of your career, then move over to a private family office because the ability to move up and take on more responsibilities is more prominent.
This article was edited for length and updated in 2024
