7 Simple Tips for Working with Celebrities at Corporate Entertainment Events

Over the course of my career in the events industry, I’ve had the good fortune and opportunity to work with a wide range of celebrities – first during stints in the concert industry and as a political campaign event staffer, followed by a more prolonged run in the PR industry. For nearly six years, I have had the honor and privilege of working at the 92nd Street Y, New York’s premier speakers’ venue, where I often interact with celebrities who participate in 92Y’s signature lecture series. Today, I have the unique thrill of operating my own company providing corporate event entertainment in New York City.

I’ll be the first to admit that while working with celebrities is a thrill, it can also be incredibly anxiety-inducing; the last thing I or anybody wants, after all, is to have a celebrity be upset with you, and you specifically. It’s one of those things that could easily give you a complex (“I can’t believe [FILL IN CELEBRITY NAME HERE] just gave me the stink eye!”) <shudder…>.

Here’s a nice list of very simple, practical tips for how to act when working entertainment events with celebrities, to stay on their good side and make sure that everything goes smoothly for them – and for you:

1.         Don’t Be Intimidated by Celebrity – If you’re like me, the very first emotion which courses through your body when interacting with a bona fide celebrity – regardless of who it is, and however fleeting – is fear. Fear that you’ll say something stupid or be tongue-tied, fear that you won’t know the answer to their questions, fear that you’ll genuinely make an arse of yourself. With practice, this DOES go away, but you’ve got to remember: celebrities are just people, like you and me. Don’t be afraid of people: just be polite & professional, and you’ll do fine.

2.         Don’t Call Them by Their First Names – Unless specifically invited to do otherwise, stick with their last names, using formal titles: Mr., Ms., Your Honor, Ambassador, Senator etc. It shows an appropriate level of respect, and helps keep you on your toes from becoming “too comfortable” after that initial glow of celebrity stardust wears off.

3.         Brief Them in Advance of Taking Stage – Regardless of the event – be it a lecture, performance, what have you – let them know what to expect: how long will the event be, what will be asked of them, who’s in the audience, what the room is like etc. Take as much mystery out of the event as you can, and you will make them more comfortable.

4.         Determine Their Preferences in Advance – I’m not talking about Val Halen’s fabled green M&Ms or other goofy performance rider stuff, I’m talking about the actual, practical preferences they have for when they go on stage: clip-on microphone vs. handheld, sound check or no sound check, audience Q & A procedures (if any), do they want to be seated or standing, etc.

5.         Don’t Ask for an Autograph or Photograph Right Away – If you’re being given the honor of interacting directly with a celebrity at your function, that person expects you to be a professional, and to guide them through whatever it is they’re being asked to do – not to hound them like some fan on the street. If appropriate and they seem open to it, by all means ask for a signature or snap a picture, AFTER the event (the one exception here is if you’ve got a dedicated “meet & greet” photography session before the event, in which case, now’s your chance- jump in!).

6.         Don’t Monopolize Their Time – Celebrities are often on very tight appearance schedules, and at your event there are lots of people they want to meet, and vice-versa. They may also want to spend some time with friends or family, or maybe just enjoy some peace and quiet before or after the event. Avoid unnecessary conversation if you can, and read their nonverbal cues – if you get the sense they want you to stop talking to them, than you probably should.

7.         Never, Ever Freak Out – Don’t lose your cool when working with a celebrity, ever. Don’t go completely star-struck when they arrive, even if you are his/her biggest fan; by the same token, don’t blow your top when things aren’t going as smoothly as you would like. Find another way to convey your emotions – you will find that the celeb’s “handler” who is likely with them is a good buffer.

This is of course not an exhaustive list, and may seem rather simplistic. But it’s really these basic steps you take when working entertainment events with celebrities that will help you both put on as good a show as possible.

For further reading on how to interact with celebrities, check out Tantrums and Talent: How to Get the Best From Creative People by Winston Fletcher, and This Business of Artist Management by Xavier M. Frascogna, Jr and H. Lee Hetherington.