Life & Style | People
The price of fame
Need Carmen Electra for a corporate event? Want Fergie to perform at a party? Want to build the Paris Hilton Towers? Send an offer to Mike Esterman. Kelly Crane meets the real life Jerry Maguire who spills all on stars' plush perks
- By Kelly Crane, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:23 November 4, 2008
- Lindsay Lohan received $400,000 (Dh1.4 million) to host her 21st birthday at Pure Nightclub in Las Vegas
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Need Carmen Electra for a corporate event? Want Fergie to perform at a party? Want to build the Paris Hilton Towers? Send an offer to Mike Esterman. Kelly Crane meets the real life Jerry Maguire who spills all on stars' plush perks
A celebrity talent agent who is really a celebrity himself, Esterman knows their favourite chewing gum flavour, exact shoe size and preferred route to almost every international five-star hotel.
With new restaurants, clubs, marinas, residential towers and shopping malls opening everyday, it seems it's becoming more and more necessary for a successful opening to have a spark in the form of a famous face.
And nothing could be more true in Dubai, according to Esterman. "Mr Hilton is having a lawyer look over a million-dollar agreement between a property company in the UAE and Paris Hilton. "The deal would give the developer 'naming rights' for three years to call a set of twin towers Paris Hilton Towers.
"The deal currently stands at around $1.5-2million (Dh5.5 to 7.3 million) which would also include a once-off appearance by Paris for the grand opening.
"As soon as it's signed, it will be one of the biggest deals my company has ever seen."
A thriving hub for celebrity backing, businesses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have cottoned on to the fact that a famous face can often more than quadruple the media attention.
For the A-list stars, brokering deals depends on the company the venue is tied to, the person who is booking the celebrity and what the event is.
"It really all depends on what the celebrity wants at the moment," said Esterman, who started out as a doorman more than 10 years ago at a Washington DC nightclub. "Paris Hilton might say her minimum is $250,000 (Dh918,000) one day and then the next day she'll do something for free."
Esterman suggests it pays to find out when a desired celebrity is going to be in the event city, and booking him or her at that time.
"This alleviates the cost of travel, incurred by those planning the event, as many celebrities are willing to pick up a club opening or event in the area where they are already planning to be."
Now jetting off all over the world with celebrities including to Macau, Dubai, London, Monte Carlo, Shanghai, Cape Town, Milan, Tokyo and Russia, it all started for Esterman in a single club. "I was meeting stars because I worked as a host for a club and soon they were calling me asking for other appearances. It just snowballed and now I don't look back."
Celeb funding
Get Britney Spears cheap - while you can.
"At the moment she doesn't charge a lot as she's trying to revive her singing career.
"But her last pre-'wig-out' party appearance cost Pure Nightclub upwards of $300,000 (Dh1.1 million). The pop princess was paid $260,000 (Dh955,000) to appear at the Vegas club on New Year's Eve and an additional $70,000-plus (Dh257,000) to do the countdown.
"She prefers a private plane, but will fly first-class as long as the seats are leather, which she recently did for a Miami gig."
What you get: "On New Year's Eve it got you less than two hours of partying with Britney: she passed out shortly after wishing everyone a Happy New Year."
Esterman said that figure would also get red carpet photos, paparazzi pictures in the club for magazines plus the use of her name in association with all club press for that party, including invitations.
"But more importantly a lifetime of dinner party stories."
Lindsay Lohan received $400,000 (Dh1.4 million) to host her 21st birthday at Pure Nightclub, which will throw in everything from private jets to presidential suites to sweeten the deal.
Fergie is preparing to hit Dubai on December 14 this year. And whoever is paying isn't getting it cheap. "She charged $50,000 (Dh183,000) last December for a two-hour appearance hosting her own birthday party at a club in Vegas, but as of today it's between $75,000 (Dh275,000) and $100,000 (Dh367,000) — For two hours with her, No singing at all."
Carmen Electra: Famous since appearing on the television show Baywatch, She charges $40,000-55,000 (Dh146,000 to 202,000) but she'll take $35,000 (Dh128,000).
Miscellaneous expenses
It's not just about the fees. The venue would also have to be prepared to pay for the star and their entourage — two to four people — to fly. Two first class return flights from Los Angeles go for Dh36,000...
Five star hotels: Accommodation in a top hptel is a given for celebs. "That would also include all food and drinks and maybe some added 'lifestyle' expenses," says Esterman.
Tupperware party: It's not all glitz. "Corporate functions are also a big business. Cindy Margolis hosting a Tupperware-like party."
Emirates Palace: It varies between $500 (Dh1.8 million) for a reality TV star or model and $1.7 million (Dh6.2 million) for a Justin Timberlake at a private concert. "Justin got $2 million (Dh7.3 million) to perform in Abu Dhabi."
Traffic madness: Celebs also need to navigate Dubai's notorious traffic. You can be sure it's going to be in Hummers, Rolls Royces or Bentleys.
About Esterman
In his own words, Mike Esterman is the "world's biggest celebrity agent". "I am the 'Go-to-Man' in Hollywood and Las Vegas according to club owners, marketers, property developers, hotels, casinos, advertising and PR agencies and event managers. Even the biggest companies in the business come to me, because I have my unique way to persuade the stars."
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