Talking about celebrity riders, the list of demands that actors and actresses mention in their respective performance contracts – there are plenty of bizarre and funny riders you can’t even imagine!
Some are so weird that it will leave you wondering if they’re the same people you’re a fan of. Like Beyonce needed her dressing room to have a set temperature or even Timberlake, who suggested cleaning doorknobs! Yes, you read that right. If you wish to check out few more oddball requirements, keep reading.
Justin Bieber
Back when he was a child sensation in 2010, Bieber’s riders reflected simplicity – snacks, to be precise. A decade over and the man who’s earning millions now inside on no less than a massage table, ten luxury sedans, and a private jet, which should be on standby mode. That’s like a complete travel itinerary, we say!
Drake
When Drake is on tour, one of the weirdest is ‘natural-scented incense sticks.’ And not one, two, or even a box, but four dozen exactly. Of course, to add more – he needed a “ton” of good spirits. This includes Grey Goose Vodka, Jack Daniels, Hennessy or Courvoisier, Heineken, and more.
Christina Aguilera
It seems that the talented singer is allergic to traffic. Such is her obsession with reaching timely (or, lets’ say, aversion to traffic snarls) that she feels it’s better to take the help of the police. She opines that “under no circumstances” will vehicles suffer delays just because of traffic.
Beyoncé
Did you dare to bring a Cola before the stunner? Well, Beyoncé is in a contract with Pepsi, so she can’t drink anything else apart from it. Ugghhh! Her hospitality rider is a treat to the eyes. Think about chicken breasts, legs, wings that in a hot sauce and laden with seasonings, and you’ll know what she hogs on! By the way, she loves sweating out. Not gyms silly! Her dressing room temperature should be set to 78 degrees always- irrespective of the season.
Selena Gomez
Believe this or not, but Ms. Gomez had a tough time settling back after her break up with Justin Bieber in 2014. She had strictly ruled out the name ‘Justin’ while she was working. But that’s beyond question, for many of the crew members had the same name. Naturally, they got the “monikers” while she used to try balancing her personal and professional life. Added to that was her love for chicken pot pie and pickles- musts during her travel.
Jennifer Lopez
We’ve often seen how JLo loves her whites. And that’s evident even now when she decks herself or appears in most events and parties. Her rider, too, reflected shades of white and creams mostly- including the curtains, candles, and almost every single object that stuck to cream-based shade or beige.
Jay-Z
Rapper Jay-Z had demanded in his 2009 production rider for a total of 7 dressing rooms! There was no connection here, but the man also wished to have “good quality jelly” and “good quality peanut butter.” Imagine sitting idle or fighting those hunger pangs- surely the sandwiches would come to the rescue.
Taylor Swift
Starbucks might be too thankful to the singer whose “specific order” needs to be delivered before 11 am every day. And what’s in it? 1 Grande ICED Americano with soy milk and two sweet-n-lows, 1 Grande ICED Caramel latter with two sweet-n-lows, and even a pumpkin loaf slice. Seems weird? Yes, it is, but that’s Swift for you.
Justin Timberlake
Justin is quite health-conscious. He’s so obsessed with the minute things that were going by his rider. There should be someone who would clean and disinfect doorknobs of any hotel or backstage venue that he would put up in- that too for every couple of hours! Also, he prefers having the elevator for himself and also a complete floor of the hotel.
Rihanna
Talking of Rihanna’s rider, she had a large fur rug in animal print while on the world tour of the Last Girl on Earth. She preferred walking to availing any other mode of transport, hence this arrangement. Also, she loved curtains in blue and black or those in icy-blue chiffon or simply the plain whites that covered bricks or lockers.
No judging here, for it is “to each his own”! But if you were a celebrity manager, how would you react to these bizarre riders?