Being a celebrity means being famous – everywhere you go, people recognize you, shout your name, and usually want something from you. Sometimes, all they want is a minute of a celeb’s attention, an autograph or a selfie. But occasionally a person comes with a grudge – imagined or otherwise, or a fan takes it too far, and these occasions necessitate VIPs’ need for celebrity protection teams.
We often have the impression that, due to their fame and wealth, the lives of celebs and VIPs are perfect. In fact, they have some serious problems on their hands – and a deranged fan is sometimes a minor issue.
Because of this, famous people often can’t afford to spend their days alone and have to a bodyguard around them at all times. VIPs actually worry constantly about their personal safety. And while some celebrities make do with the occasional guard or two, others need to have whole celebrity protection teams around them almost every minute of every day.
Maybe certain VIPs even take it a few steps too far.
Check out below which celebs have the tightest security around them.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West take their security seriously. In fact, so seriously that they have a 24/7 manned station at their garage. They also staff security guards 24h – and the children have her own security detail.
After the most recent robbery – during which robbers broke into Kim’s hotel room, bound and gagged her, the couple is said to have tightened their security further. Now Kim walks and travels everywhere with 3 bodyguards, while her soon to be ex-husband is also always surrounded by brawny protectors.
The security system for their home is rumored to cost in the millions of dollars alone, while their team reportedly costs around USD 1.5 million annually.
Drake
Actually, Drake’s team has quite the controversial reputation. Whether it’s blocking traffic so the famous rapper doesn’t get stuck in a jam or fighting fans and photographers, they are said to be ready to do anything for his safety.
Since the end of 2018, Drake is rumored to tightened security further due to a conflict with his neighbors – the Kardashian-Wests. After that, his celebrity protection team even put a huge bulletproof car next to his gate.
Britney Spears
The famous singer also employs around the clock protection from enthusiastic fans and paparazzi. Her security detail increased since a couple of years ago when she started fearing for her safety from a stalker ex-boyfriend.
After that, she hired an additional two people to be on guard with her every day – and to keep an eye out for anyone who is not supposed to get close to her.
However, according to rumors, Spears is one of the most difficult celeb clients. Some say that she is prone to strange decisions and has a difficult demeanor.
David and Victoria Beckham
The footballer and ex-Spice Girl are household names around the globe. Naturally, as such, they are always surrounded by bodyguards. When picking the kids up from school, Beckham reportedly drove in a bulletproof Rolls Royce and two cars full of guards.
With security bills exceeding USD 1 million a year, it’s no surprise that the couple said their dream is to walk down the streets with their family and no other people around.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is one of the most recognizable faces on the planet, with millions of fans – and some are even a bit obsessed with her. That’s why the singer always appears in public with no less than 4 extremely tall and muscular bodyguards.
Which is probably a good thing, because there have been quite a few incidents where they had to intervene and stop an overly-enthusiastic fan from getting to close. In fact, a lot of these incidents were captured on camera.
Rihanna
On official events, Rhianna always has five elegantly dressed guards around her. On normal days, this number usually drops to two travelling with her at all times.
Actually, Riri is famous for having an unusually close relationship with her security, informal and friendly. They give her piggy-back rides during parties and concerts. Or even carry her over puddles and snow – so she doesn’t ruin her shoes.
Angelina Jolie
The actress has a detail of three bodyguards. Actually, for quite a long time she and her family were under the eye of the famous bodyguard Mark Billingham – who later went to work for Tom cruise.
Actually, Jolie and Billingham even became friends, with him supporting the famous actress through her divorce with Brad Pitt. According to rumors, her security team costs exceed USD 2 million.
Tom Cruise
Speaking of Tom Cruise, did you know that he is one of the most searched people on Google? Because he is aware of the level of his celebrity, the actor always surrounds himself with bodyguards. In fact, one of his ex-bodyguards even ended up becoming an actor himself.
As one of the richest men in the entertainment industry, he needs his security detail to come with him at all times. They always have to be on high alert.
Also they always have to be ready to put their own lives on the line. In addition, they can’t let anything leak to the press.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z
They are possibly the biggest power couple in the entertainment industry. And Beyoncé and Jay-Z had their share of fan attacks. During the On the Run summer tour, an inebriated fan actually climbed on stage and gave them quite a fright. Luckily their bodyguards captured him and deescalated the situation.
Believe it or not, the couple employ in total around 500 bodyguards to protect them and their kids 24/7. During shows, there is usually 300 of them in the crowd preventing incidents and 50 with their eyes on the stage. On regular days, both of them are constantly under the eye of 3 bodyguards.
Recently, Jay Z reportedly upgraded his security costs with an extra USD 4 million on more staff and two armored vehicles. This is in addition to who knows how much the couple is already spending on security annually.
The Take-Away
As we said, to be a celebrity means trading fame for high levels of risk. The more famous you get, the harder and riskier it gets to walk down the street and simply buy groceries. And when the whole planet knows your face and your income, enthusiastic fans are the least of your concerns.
This is why so many VIPs employ large celebrity protection teams and have very strict security protocols and spend millions of dollars every year to ensure their own safety.
Otherwise, bad things happen.
