Celebrity BG...A day in the life

[covert munkey]

I have copied and pasted this extract from our forum member 'SHADOW's 'post.

This is only a short introduction into the world of celebrity CP. This extract was actually written not to glamourise this work but to warn that its not glamour and dancing girls.

Thankyou shadow.

Ahh yes... this is the life eh?

Well it's not all dancing girls ( with no panties on) Champagne and wonderful sunsets ... more sunrises at the end of a long shift.

Five years of 'forced t-totalness' was required to work in such environments. The clients buy €3000 bottles of plonk... they pay €16,000 for a Vip table in the Ibiza clubs.... they hire a section of beach and dine on the freshest lobster - but you are working! None of this is yours.... it's their lifestyle and you have to be disciplined to avoid the trappings.

P-Diddy ( that's 1) dropped his 2 personal BG's when I worked as his 'local' supplier. He desired exceptional privacy for a couple of days and his own BG's weren't welcome. It caused a lot of upset. They insisted that their own agency would sack them if they found out the client was moving without them. Sometimes you have to point out that the client has your CV - if he valued my presence as being worth 2 of them... then swallow it and accept your position ( that raised a few eyebrows).

Ok, so what's it really all about in these circles?

Well, if you want these clients to keep your number on speed dial, you need to be more than just a CPO. You become their butler. Your local knowledge is their gateway to elevated hospitality. VIP's are everywhere. Your job is to ensure that your client is greeted and treated with 'EXTRA' attention. If the client is happy, they behave predictably.

When you're not working, you spend your time being everyone's friend. These people make things happen for your clients.... there are bigger names than P-D'... so 'YOU' are responsible for having contacts and friends that make 'special' things happen. You control their movements throughout the 24hr clock. You're on-call and sleep approximately 4 hrs per night. I worked 3 days non-stop on his first visit because whilst he slept, his assistants had me running for them.

Other clients are easier to handle. Business families are the best. They have the real money - and know how to spend it. They desire the finest of services and products. It's your job to ensure that each and every service is provided by 'trusted contacts'...

I provide a comprehensive travel service for individuals and families that use Security Personnel. Each and every member of staff / each service that comes in contact with our clients, passes a minimum screening and quality control...

- if we approach the whole travel experience from a security point of view - everything goes according to plan - like clockwork. I use CPO's as chauffeurs / yacht captains / ski instructors... wherever I can. Professionalism is scarce in places like Ibiza and Courchevel. The reason behind my company's success is avoiding using 'local suppliers' as much as possible ! That means you have o have the best contacts from around the World - on speed-dial.

Daytimes at the beach - well...it's easy for non-celeb clients.... but once you step out with a well known actress or pop star... you're in the thick of it. They're on holiday and want some privacy time for romance or fun... but the paparazzi don't care.... the 'pay-day' on some celebs is astronomical - and they will do whatever it takes to get 'that' picture.

My partner once had to pic up a video camera and walked straight into the sea with it.... he went for 'a dipp'.....the client was amused, but she already knew we had insurance to cover for such occasions.

So...at the beach.... usually as a team - some may be taking the kids / wife out on a jetski.... you may be ensuring that nobody comes in contact with their personal effects. Making sure any rowdy groups understand the boundaries of the clients area.... and monitoring any camera-phones pointing your direction.
Obviously you eat with the clients... you get brown with the clients... but whilst they sip on cocktails - you stick to water or redbull.

Maybe you're out on a yacht for the day? Always request a jetski!
If the paparazzi turn up, you can buzz them and splash their equipment... they cant afford large boats, so smaller ski boats are easier to soak

Lunch with Celebs is more comprehensive. Arranging tables that suit your clients status - but also creating barriers to channel any advances your direction for intervention..... " sorry no autographs - they're on holiday"...

NightLife.... that's where the work really wears you down!

Night clubs have their own security. They generally dislike any form of private protection! They'll rough you up or man-handle you amongst crowds.... marking their territory as such.

I use to drink (quite heavily) with the heads of security for each and every venue... they are my friends now... they know I'm not a bouncer-for-hire.... they have enormous respect for me and my staff. I can... and have called upon the support they offer.... remember, you never leave your clients side if working alone! Always remember to tip the head of Security !!! It helps when jumping cues for the VIP washrooms I had a key given to me for my own clients.... access to a V-VIP Toilet... remember to tip !!!

There are also 'house-rules' in the VIP Areas - if the client breaks them, you'll all be escorted from the venue.... especially in Ibiza..... want to spray a €3000 bottle of champers' over the crowd? Your client will get a 'thick ear' if they do...
So your role is to educate your clients without it sounding like 'rules'.... you'll lose the client if handled indelicately !

Then you have to compete with other VIP guests - all paying large sums of money to be placed in an over-crowded area. Your night is spent twisting your body... acting as a buffer between drug-induced party people wishing to use your clients (expensive) table as a shortcut to their friends.

If you're a 'looker' like me ( ha ha ha ! ) you'll be constantly approached by exotic girls - curious as to why you're wearing an earpiece...who are you protecting? - remember.... it's flattering... but you're at work... and she'll be performing acrobatics with some rich guy way before you stand-down !!!

There's the Miami club-owner ... a 20 yr visitor to the club we're in... he's the most important person there tonight....(so he believes) and his 'bitches can sit all over your own clients table / furniture / dance area.... Not likely mate.... no way Jose !

You constantly ask his 'trophy accessories' to kindly avoid invading your (Royal clients) area... they refuse dismissively !
You ask again with more conviction.... they hiss at you and palm you away!
Then they complain to their Brazilian 'Hired-Bouncer'.... trouble is brewing !
The 'boss' orders him to 'deal with us' - he gives a menacing stare and invites you to interact with him...

You notion to your team that you'll return promptly (never allow any of this to happen in the vicinity of your own Principal ).... you switch channels on your coms - let your friend ( head of venue security) know that he will be required.... the Brazilian charges at you and you know ( for the first time in 3 years - it's going to be physical )....

You reach to your belt.... draw a mobile phone ( maybe it's time to order that nice coffin you've seen on the web) .... no.... it's a stungun..... 750,000 V of totally legal response in Spain !!!

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ !!!!! 3 seconds is enough to put someone on the ground - but you don't want his big guy getting back up to try again...... ZZZZZZZZZZ 6 seconds ! The Hulk hugs you whilst he shakes.... then he drops to the floor..... and yes.... a I intended.... he's wet himself too..... he wont want to hang around for a further confrontation in that state.... he gathers his composure..... shouts at his client with some very colorfull Spanish language ( yes I speak Spanish) ..... and quickly leaves.

Time goes fast in the clubs if you enjoy the scene - if not.... it's a long night! There's no fun in torturing your eardrums if it's not music to your ears! Leave it to those who don't mind it... but never get caught dancing... even if the client encourages it.... why? .... because everyone in th club has been taking ecstacy or coke,,,, they have artificially assisted rythem.... you probably dont... you'll simply look silly and people wont respect that you're there for a serious reason.

Nights nearly over.... 07:45hr..... radio the drivers to bring the Range Rovers to the VIP Exit..... take the clients Black American Express Business Credit Card from your own back pocket ( yes I know it's torture.... you even have to witness twenty grand coming off their card for 4 hours of fun).... then prepare for the battle though the crowds to the exit.... constantly checking that the clients keep moving at the required pace to actually leave...

Your cars are waiting freshly air conditioned.... you can hear your comms again.... the comforting voices of the team.... still muffled by the ringing in your ears.... everyones inside their vehicle.... you depart for the villa.

Hopefully you'll have the opportunity to play some chill-out music on the stereo.... if the clients request something comparable to the nights entertainment - you know you're not getting to sleep before midday.....

- of shit! I forgot..... they're all out on the yacht at 13:00hr.

So you want to work with the social butterflies of high-society?
want to be seen out with the Cameron Diaz's of the World?

Let me ask you - how many 20hr days can you perform and maintain your edge?

I'm relatively accustomed to seasonal contracts - 3 months in the summer - 3 months in the Winter... it's not as easy or glamorous as people think !

I've spent years negotiating 'information' to protect my clients from the paparazzi. Tipping them off to 'non-clients' in order to protect my own. If I don't have anything of interest for them.... it's feeding time at the zoo..... if the client provides the correct budget, you can have a lot of fun with decoy vehicles and so on.... but if they're normal cast from EastEnders.... you'll pine for a Saturday night on the 'doors'....

My advice..... avoid the "do you know who I am" crowd .... clearly they dont know,or dont care... or they simply aren't important enough - and YOU get the bulk of abuse from these people....

I take my hat off to those who venture back to the Middle East... I've done my share... but there's a war going on in high-society.... and we are the infantry, my friends..... when the sun goes down.... let battle commense!

For those who still aspire to work with these people - you can have them!
My clientele list has changed dramatically over the past 18 months. I market and attract a huge number of Russian Oligarchs. I'm in partnership with a Russian who owns a Moscow based Private Aviation Company. I'm fortunate enough to have access to the top 300 wealthiest Russians.... and about 200 of them are exeptionally easy to work with.

Celebrities have unrealistic expectations based on their staus - The Oligachs can actually afford whatever they deisre. Security is of paramount importance to them, and I embrace the oportunity to deliver the best personnel available from the industry.

Job satisfaction is essential in the world of Close Protection. Find what area makes you happy... and stick with it.

[ve Thomas]

thanks munkey for that info. Opens your eyes i think to what clients are out there. As shadow says ..its not all glitz and glamour . I particularly take on his last sentence....job satisfaction , find the area that makes you happy and stick to it. Definately a learning curve.

[jockc]

Excellant and informative post Covert,,,,,,will bare it all in mind......I'm in the process of finding my "niche".

[covert munkey]

this post actually belongs to 'Shadow' guys not me.

CM

[olcotton]

Thanks for that post, very informative and eye opening!

[kungfu_mattyb]

Great post, thanks.

[Icon Protection]

"Interesting" post. Lots of things that I agree with. A few that i'll have to run by Shadow for clarification. Thanks for sharing.

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