Once a celebrity reaches a certain level, they frequently feel the need for protection whenever they are in public, and for good reason. Before the dream of fame and fortune turns into a nightmare of safety and security, it can seem like a dream come true.
Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift aren’t the only ones who have firsthand experience dealing with irate fans; many others also do. Numerous famous people have experienced frightful public encounters, and after hearing their tales, you can see why celebrities of a certain stature don’t just enjoy having bodyguards and are willing to shell out a hefty sum for one, but actually need one.
Bella Hadid – Annual Bodyguard Cost: $250,000
Bella Hadid is a supermodel from a wealthy family, so it is understandable why security would be necessary. It makes sense for her to be a little worried about her safety after her sister Gigi, who is famous for getting grabbed by a man at Milan Fashion Week back in 2016, is a little worried.
Simon Newton, one of Bella’s bodyguards and a self-described fashionista, has drawn attention for his fashionable appearance. The supermodel once reprimanded a security guard for touching her after he pushed a female paparazzi out of the way.
Lady Gaga – Annual Bodyguard Cost: $125,000
You’ll notice that Lady Gaga always has security with her when she is out and about. That shouldn’t be surprising given her enormous popularity. Numerous people around the world are her devoted followers, whom she has given the moniker “Little Monsters.”
Peter Van Der Veen, her bodyguard from the Netherlands, is also quite well-known. Although his duties as a bodyguard are fairly well compensated at $100,000 per year, he was once a bodybuilder and the winner of beauty pageants. His abilities in the entertainment industry are so well known that he has provided security for some other well-known figures.
Madonna – Annual Bodyguard Cost: $500,000
Madonna, known as the “Queen of Pop,” became well-known in the 1980s thanks to a number of hits, including “Just Like A Prayer,” “Holiday,” and many others. It’s understandable that someone of her status would want protection from fans who are swarming around her given the length of her illustrious musical career.
Madonna has even been known to date some of her bodyguards; in the early 1990s, she started dating James Albright, one of her bodyguards. Even one of her bodyguards is said to have been dispatched in 2013 to chaperone a date between her daughter and aspiring actor Timothee Chalamet.
Shakira – Annual Bodyguard Cost: Unknown
Everybody is aware that Shakira’s hips and bodyguards are as strong as they claim to be. The singer appears small in comparison to her security team’s enormous stature when they walk together.
Even her older half-brother Tonino Mebarak lends a hand. Given that her fans often storm the stage during her performances, it makes sense that the wildly popular Colombian pop star would require some protection. Late in 2021, she also nearly fell victim to a daylight robbery.
Cardi B – Annual Bodyguard Cost: $250,000
Say hello to Price, Cardi B’s affable bodyguard, who gladly serves the pop star. This extremely stylish bodyguard now has his own Instagram account and has a sizable fan base. Some fans have even joked that Offset, Cardi B’s hubby, should be concerned about Price.
The truth is that Price has grown so popular that he may soon need his own security. The internet has quite the crush on the stylish companion since the world began to take notice of Cardi B’s protector.
Britney Spears – Annual Bodyguard Cost: $600,000
The circumstances surrounding Britney Spears’ conservatorship, which ended in late 2021, are now widely known. It appears that the pop star was constantly watched during the 13 years she was under her father’s control.
Fernando Flores, a former bodyguard of hers, would ultimately corroborate Britney’s account of her father Jamie abusing her. He claimed that the singer’s phone was tracked and that she wasn’t permitted to go outside alone.
Cheryl Cole – Annual Bodyguard Cost: Unknown
Cheryl Cole rose to fame after getting a spot on Girls Aloud in 2002, primarily in the United Kingdom. She was well-known for her stellar vocals and endearing TV persona on the British version of The X-Factor, and in 2021, she gave birth to a child with Liam Payne, a former member of the hugely successful band One Direction.
A superstar family needs someone to keep star-struck fans in check, whether they are in the United States or the UK. It makes sense that she needs some real muscle to keep her safe since this tiny beauty frequently travels alone.
Jennifer Lawrence – Annual Bodyguard Cost: $125,000
Another bodyguard who went viral was Greg Lenz, who was one of Jennifer Lawrence’s bodyguards. After Lawrence’s chihuahua was seen being carried by the former model on camera, the Internet basically exploded with fan pages for him.
Lenz briefly worked for Lawrence, and you may have even seen her in background shots from The Hunger Games set. The other attractive bodyguard Lawrence has is not just him. Justin Riblet gained notoriety in 2014 after being photographed with the celebrity at LAX.
Beyonce and Jay Z – Annual Bodyguard Cost: $4 Million
Billionaires and global superstars Beyonce and Jay-Z will undoubtedly need the best security, even when performing commonplace tasks that the rest of us take for granted. Parents allegedly complained about the bodyguards and security motorcade present when the couple dropped off their daughter Blue Ivy at preschool, but it makes sense given that fans have previously attacked them.
When Beyonce’s sister Solange attacked Jay-Z in the now-famous elevator scene in 2014, it probably dawned on Jay-Z the necessity of stepping up security. During the altercation, Jay-bodyguard Z’s Julius DeBoer, who was present, actually pulled Solange away from him.
Jason Momoa – Annual Bodyguard Cost: $125,000
Despite having a 6’4″ frame that might suggest he could serve as his own bodyguard, Jason Momoa is still under the care of a team. Fans are wondering why the actor who played Aquaman has several bodyguards who are smaller than him after he was spotted with them.
Countless memes featuring Momoa and his noticeably smaller bodyguards have been made as a result of pictures of the actor in public. Even though it makes sense why the movie star would need security, it’s still amusing to see.
Want to read some more fun stuff? Check out the actors that were supposed to be the next big thing… but weren’t!
Katy Perry – Annual Bodyguard Cost: $350,000
Bodyguards employed by celebrities typically play a supporting role in the lives of their clients. Some bodyguards, though, appear to draw more attention than the celebrities they protect. When fans noticed that Katy Perry’s bodyguard looked similar to Hugh Jackman, he attracted a lot of attention.
It’s impossible to miss the resemblances to the Australian actor best known for playing Wolverine in the X-Men film series given his brown hair and toned physique. The bodyguard, who appears to be unnamed, gained a following on social media and was included on a number of lists of the sexiest bodyguards.
Tom Cruise – Annual Bodyguard Cost: $200,000
Even though Tom Cruise is renowned for performing his own stunts in his movies, he still needs security as a high-profile performer. His team included notorious bodyguard Sean Ringgold when he was married to Katie Holmes. Before beginning his own acting career in 2009, he shielded Tom, Katie, and their daughter Suri.
Tom Cruise’s former bodyguard Mary “Billy” Billingham also served in that capacity. Recently, the former sniper and SWAT member was the focus of a military reality show in the United Kingdom. Along with these A-listers, he has also worked with Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Kate Moss, Russell Crowe, Hulk Hogan, and others.
Drake – Annual Bodyguard Cost: Unknown
When it comes to international stardom, Drake is undoubtedly close to the top of the list. Naturally, security follows the Toronto native everywhere. However, some of the individuals on his security detail have frequently been implicated in violent incidents.
Even a former waiter at a West Hollywood restaurant alleges that one of Drake’s bodyguards assaulted him. Rapper Chris Brown and his group once got into a big fight with rapper Drake and his security team. According to a 2017 report, Drake’s team coerced other drivers into letting the singer’s motorcade pass.
50 Cent – Annual Bodyguard Cost: Unknown
Thought to be tough enough to serve as his own bodyguard, 50 Cent still deserves to have his own protection. After all, the New Yorker has previously suffered nine shootings. According to rumors, Mike Tyson’s bodyguard assaulted the rapper back in 2000.
Even more troubling is the fact that 50 Cent was present during the shooting along with his son and grandmother. He ended up spending five months in recovery. Some people have hypothesized that the shooting was motivated by “Ghetto Qur’an” as payback. Even though that happened a while ago, he should probably keep security close by.
Justin Bieber – Annual Bodyguard Cost: $1 Million
As strange as it may seem to the rest of us given his international fame, Justin Bieber taking bodyguards on dates is actually not that unusual. Even after tying the knot with Hailey Baldwin in 2018, The Biebs is constantly surrounded by giddy girls and overzealous fans.
The young pop star’s security is under the direction of Michael Arana, who is also in charge of the entire team. With almost 200,000 followers on his Instagram account, Arana has even developed a small fan base for himself. There is even a fan page for “the men who keep him safe” called “Bieber Bodyguards.”
