The Most Out-of-Touch Celebs According to Former Assistants

Many people imagine working for a Hollywood star would be glamorous and involve lots of travel. However, the day-to-day experience for personal assistants is often much different, involving extremely difficult requests and dealing with intense emotional reactions. Former assistants have revealed stories of strange and unprofessional behavior from their famous bosses, offering a glimpse into the privileged world of the entertainment industry’s biggest stars.

Mariah Carey

The singer is well-known for both her amazing voice and her incredibly specific requests. People who have worked for her say she won’t drink from a glass herself and needs someone to hold the straw for her. There are also reports that she insists on having two assistants gently lower her onto sofas so she doesn’t wrinkle her clothes. Apparently, she also requires twenty humidifiers around her bed while she sleeps to keep her voice in top condition.

Christian Bale

This actor is famous for fully immersing himself in his roles and creating a very serious mood while filming. However, his reputation suffered when recordings from the set of ‘Terminator Salvation’ were released, revealing him angrily confronting the cinematographer. He reportedly threatened to damage equipment and get the crew member fired for simply walking into his view. Those who worked with him say the atmosphere was tense, and everyone felt they had to be extremely careful not to upset him.

Naomi Campbell

The supermodel has been involved in several lawsuits concerning how she treated her employees and colleagues. Former assistants have claimed she became physically aggressive, even throwing phones when upset. Legal records from previous cases show a history of harsh verbal abuse and impossibly high demands placed on her staff. While famous for her incredible presence on the runway, she’s also known for her quick temper.

Jennifer Lopez

For years, people in the entertainment industry have talked about the strict rules surrounding how to work with the pop superstar. Stories suggest staff are told not to look her in the eye, and her dressing room must always be decorated with only white flowers. Those who work closely with her describe a demanding atmosphere where everything – from her schedule to her appearance – has to be perfect.

Lady Gaga

A former assistant is suing the pop star, claiming she wasn’t paid for extra hours worked and revealing details about her job. The lawsuit states the assistant was on call 24/7, with no personal time, and even had to share a bed with the singer to be readily available. The case raises questions about where reasonable assistance ends and unfair demands begin.

Ye

The rapper and designer is known for being unpredictable and having very specific ideas about how things should look. People who have worked for him, like former security and staff, say he makes them follow strict rules about their positioning and clothing. There are even stories of him firing someone for simply saying hello to his wife. His team has to deal with his quickly changing moods and constantly evolving vision for projects.

Anna Wintour

The intimidating fashion editor who inspired the character of Miranda Priestly in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ earned that reputation. Those who’ve worked with her say a strict, unspoken rule exists: silence in the elevator when she’s present. She’s known for wearing sunglasses inside, creating a barrier and concealing her thoughts from staff. Her management style is described as demanding, precise, and unforgiving of errors.

Kylie Jenner

The celebrity is known for her successful beauty brand, but she also depends on a large team to handle everyday tasks. Past assistants have shared that she has very particular requests, especially when it comes to her smoothies – she insists on a specific temperature. One assistant even said she won’t put a straw in her own mouth and expects someone to place it there for her. She reportedly gets upset if her drink isn’t made exactly how she likes it.

Ellen DeGeneres

The comedian was known for promoting kindness, but recent accusations about her behavior behind the scenes caused a major scandal. Former colleagues described a work environment where she created fear, reportedly demanding staff avoid eye contact and even controlling their food choices. These claims led to an investigation and ultimately the cancellation of her talk show.

Johnny Depp

The actor has been under financial and legal investigation, which uncovered his lavish spending. Previous managers stated he spent millions each year on things like salaries for his large staff and private security to support his lifestyle. There are also reports that he had a sound engineer secretly feed him his lines through an earpiece during filming, so he wouldn’t need to learn them. His staff frequently dealt with his unpredictable schedule and a costly habit of collecting expensive wines.

Gwyneth Paltrow

This wellness influencer is famous for her luxurious lifestyle and unusual health practices. According to former gym employees, she insisted on having the shower stall completely dried before she used it. She reportedly requires her staff to consistently provide specific brands of alkaline water. Additionally, her assistants have to follow very strict dietary rules when ordering food for work events or trips.

Katherine Heigl

During her time on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, this actress became known for being challenging to work with. People say she often criticized the scripts and wouldn’t come out of her trailer if she didn’t like them. Her specific requests for costumes and frequent complaints on set reportedly slowed down filming. This behavior is believed to have hindered her chances of landing leading roles in major movies for several years.

Russell Crowe

The Academy Award-winning actor has a reputation for being confrontational with hotel employees and those working on film sets. He’s known for outbursts, like the time he reportedly threw a phone at a hotel concierge after struggling to make an international call. People who’ve worked with him say he can be intimidating and gets easily frustrated when things don’t go as planned, and his demanding work style often affects how he treats others.

Madonna

Madonna is known for meticulously controlling all details of her tours and personal life. Stories claim she insists her dressing rooms be thoroughly sterilized to remove any trace of her DNA. She reportedly also requests that standard lights be replaced with bulbs she personally provides. Her team must carefully follow these strict procedures to guarantee her comfort and privacy.

James Corden

I was shocked to hear that the talk show host was banned from that famous New York restaurant! Apparently, he was incredibly rude to the waitstaff – the owner said he was the worst customer they’ve had in decades. I heard it was over some small mistakes with his wife’s omelet, and he really laid into the servers. It’s also not surprising, honestly. People who used to work on his show have said he’s a completely different person off-camera than the friendly guy we see on TV.

Lea Michele

Several former colleagues and background actors have alleged that the actress created a hostile work environment during her time on ‘Glee’. One person claimed she would threaten to fire people and belittle their work. Others said she ignored extras, treating them as if they weren’t there. These accusations came to light years later, prompting her to publicly apologize.

Sharon Stone

The actress has a reputation for being difficult to work with and having very high expectations on set. During filming of a recent sequel, she reportedly asked the production to cover the costs of her personal security and lavish lodging. People who have worked for her in the past describe her as demanding and condescending, particularly towards those she sees as less important. These requests frequently put a strain on both the movie’s budget and the patience of the crew.

Mike Myers

I’ve heard the comedian is a real perfectionist and likes to be in charge of everything he does. People on the set of ‘The Love Guru’ said he even had an assistant follow him around constantly with chocolates! Apparently, he once fired someone just for looking him in the eye during a stressful shoot. It sounds like his dedication is amazing, but it also seems to create a lot of distance between him and the people working hard to help him, which is a shame.

Edward Norton

This highly-regarded actor is well-known for taking a lot of creative control, sometimes overshadowing the director and writers. There are stories that he even excluded the director of ‘American History X’ from the editing process so he could finish the film himself. People who have worked with him say he can be dismissive and hard to satisfy. His habit of changing scripts frequently often creates problems and slows things down during filming.

Julia Roberts

During the filming of ‘Hook’, the famous actress reportedly earned the unflattering nickname ‘Tinkerhell’ due to her demanding behavior. Crew members said she was often emotionally unpredictable and hard to satisfy. She apparently insisted on complete quiet and privacy before filming any scenes requiring emotion. Because of her star power, she was able to control the shooting schedule and how the set operated.

Chevy Chase

Look, I used to be a huge fan of this comedian, but it’s hard to ignore the stories that have come out. Apparently, he was let go from ‘Community’ after saying something incredibly offensive, and former colleagues have described a pattern of really hurtful behavior. It sounds like he’s always been difficult to work with, even going back to his early days, and sadly, it seems like his staff often gets the worst of his bad temper and unfiltered comments. It’s disappointing to hear, honestly.

Steven Seagal

The actor, known for his action roles, is facing accusations of mistreating and deliberately injuring stunt performers during training for fight scenes. There are reports he even kicked fellow cast members to check if they were wearing protective gear. He’s also been accused of making up stories about his life and ignoring instructions from directors. Those who have worked closely with him describe a strange atmosphere where he expects complete obedience from everyone around him.

Ariana Grande

Okay, so this pop star is getting a lot of heat right now. It started with a video leaking of her in a donut shop – she was, uh, licking the donuts, and made some comments about not liking America. But it doesn’t stop there. Apparently, there are stories going around – from people who’ve worked with her – that she’s incredibly demanding. Like, she only wants photos taken from her left side, and even allegedly asked staff to carry her when her heels got too much. Honestly, it’s a full-on PR battle for her team right now, trying to squash all these ‘diva’ rumors before they really stick.

Lindsay Lohan

The actress, once a child star, went through a difficult time that caused significant financial issues for her film projects. During the filming of ‘The Canyons,’ the director had trouble getting her to even arrive on set, famously struggling to get her out of her car. Her team constantly dealt with missed meetings and misplaced belongings. Her unpredictable actions made it very hard for everyone to stick to a normal work schedule.

Val Kilmer

The actor is known for being difficult to work with, often clashing with directors and other actors. The director of ‘Batman Forever’ said he acted like a child and was impossible to reason with. There are also claims he once burned a cameraman with a cigarette. His staff frequently had to deal with the consequences of his arguments and unusual requests while filming.

Shia LaBeouf

This actor is famous for taking his roles to the extreme, sometimes causing problems for those he works with. For example, he allegedly stopped showering for weeks while preparing for a war movie. People who work with him have described dealing with sudden outbursts and overwhelming emotions. While he’s committed to making his performances believable, his approach often goes too far and becomes unprofessional.

Jared Leto

While filming as the Joker, this actor reportedly sent unsettling gifts – like live rats and used condoms – to his fellow cast members. He stayed in character constantly, insisting everyone call him by his character’s name, and made his assistants acquire and deliver these odd presents. This created a tense and unpleasant work environment for everyone involved in the production.

Demi Lovato

The singer received backlash after criticizing a small frozen yogurt shop for offering sugar-free cookies. She claimed the shop promoted unhealthy dieting and used her large social media following to publicly call them out. This likely created a public relations problem that her assistant had to handle, and it showed a misunderstanding of the challenges faced by small businesses.

Rihanna

The singer is known for being very particular about her hotel rooms when she’s on tour. She requests specific decorations, like black or blue sheer curtains with an extra layer of icy blue fabric. She also asks for animal print rugs and certain scented candles. Her team has to make sure the room looks exactly how she wants it before she gets there.

Charlize Theron

The actress is highly dedicated to her work, but some find her difficult to get to know. She reportedly had disagreements with a fellow actor on a recent dramatic series because of differing artistic visions. She also tends to keep to herself on set, avoiding casual conversation with crew members she isn’t close to. This reserved behavior is sometimes seen as coldness by those who support her work.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

Before stepping down as a senior royal, Meghan faced some really tough accusations – claims that she’d bullied members of her palace staff. People who used to work with her said she’d send emails super early, even at five in the morning, and that some staff were left feeling incredibly upset. The palace actually did an internal investigation into all of this, but they never fully shared the results with the public. Apparently, her way of managing things was very direct and American, which just didn’t really mesh with how things are traditionally done within the royal family.

Alec Baldwin

Look, I’m a big movie fan, and it’s always disappointing to hear about the darker side of someone you admire. This actor, unfortunately, has a real reputation for losing his temper. There have been so many public incidents – arguments with the paparazzi, that awful voicemail he left for his daughter… it was shocking. From what I’ve read, people who’ve worked with him say he’s just really quick to get frustrated, especially if things don’t go exactly as planned. It sounds like being around him can be incredibly stressful, and honestly, it makes it hard to separate the art from the artist.

Faye Dunaway

The famous actress has a reputation for eccentric behavior. Stories circulate about her weighing her salad in restaurants before eating, and she was reportedly fired from a Boston play after slapping someone on the crew. There are even claims she threw a pot of urine at a person who irritated her during filming. Because of these unpredictable actions, it’s said she’s very difficult to work for as a personal assistant.

Kim Kardashian

The reality star is very particular about how she looks and presents herself to the public. Those who have worked for her say she pays close attention to even the smallest details – for example, she reportedly had staff remove the cardboard sleeves from her coffee cups because she didn’t like how they felt. She also apparently doesn’t want anyone walking behind her when she’s having her picture taken. Her assistants are constantly checking to make sure she always looks her best.

Tom Cruise

The actor, known for his action roles, was caught on video yelling at crew members on the ‘Mission: Impossible’ set because they weren’t following safety rules. He warned them they’d be fired if they didn’t strictly follow his rules. Although the outburst was about safety, it highlighted how much pressure he puts on his team. His assistants have to be incredibly organized and efficient to manage his busy schedule.

Justin Bieber

The popular singer has shown significant growth recently, but he used to act out a lot when he was younger. There are videos of him spitting on fans from a balcony and behaving inappropriately at a restaurant, including urinating in a bucket. People who worked with him at the time had to deal with the legal and public relations consequences of his destructive actions and dangerous driving. Those around him during his teenage years often didn’t stop his bad behavior, and sometimes even encouraged it.

Scott Rudin

A prominent film producer was recently revealed to have a long history of mistreating his assistants. Reports claim he would throw objects like staplers and even food at employees for small errors. There are accusations that he once pushed an assistant out of a moving vehicle after being irritated by them. Within the film industry, his workplace gained a reputation for having a constant turnover of young staff who experienced significant emotional distress.

Wesley Snipes

While filming ‘Blade: Trinity’, the actor apparently refused to directly communicate with the director, instead using Post-it notes signed with his character’s name. He largely stayed in his trailer smoking, with his stand-in often performing the scenes. Assistants had to manage most interactions between the actor and the increasingly frustrated film crew.

Gene Hackman

The veteran actor had a reputation for being difficult to work with. Stories from the set of ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ claim he once harshly told the director to act more like a man. Many on set were scared of his quick temper, and crew members avoided approaching him if possible. His assistants had the challenging job of managing his unpredictable moods to ensure filming stayed on track.

Bill Murray

Despite being a fan favorite, this comedian is known for being challenging to work with. He once famously pushed a producer into a lake during an argument on the set of ‘Charlie’s Angels.’ His co-star, Lucy Liu, also had to address his behavior after he reportedly made offensive remarks to her during a rehearsal. He’s known for going off-script and, unfortunately, that often frustrates those around him.

Share your thoughts on these celebrity behaviors in the comments.

2026-01-16 20:20