Celebrity assistants tell it all

own lives or someone else who is privy to their personal lives doesn’t do it for us, then we are always in the dark about the goings-on in their lives.
Celebrity assistants, apart from being always there for the news-makers, movers and shakers of this world, making sure that their needs are fulfilled, they on the other hand always give interesting insights, highlights and spotlights into their inner lives we never imagined existed.
Some of these assistants have even gone an extra mile in revealing in graphic detail their experiences at the hands of the employers, with some of them baring all by writing and publishing steamy books, full of exposes on the inner lives of these personalities, ranging from their sex lives, love affairs, drug and alcohol abuse, eating and fashion habits, fetishes, foibles, phobias, hobbies, you name it.
This is so because they are on the spot when the celebrities live their lives and spend most of their working time with them also.
While some develop a closer and sometimes figurine relationship with their bosses, others have taken advantage of the closeness to enrich themselves by holding the celebrities at ransom threatening to spill the beans if their demands – mainly financial – are not fulfilled. Sometimes it is the way that the assistants are treated by the celebrities that forces them to open up to the world and expose their somehow weird lifestyles.
According to one issue of the US tabloid, The Star, singer Mariah Carey “likes to lie on the couch and have her assistant feed her pizza or ice cream, like she is a two year-old.”
Strange, how money can take people to certain lengths! But this not all as there is plenty of savoury and not so savoury news taking place behind the closed doors.
The same tabloid also reveals that Kourtney Kardasian, sister to sizzling flame Kim Kardasian, sends her assistant to buy her sex toys, apart from making the assistant ride in the back of her car while the front seats are full of groceries!
Back home, the story is often different as local celebrity assistants, who are in most cases under-paid try to keep mum on the lifestyles of their bosses owing to the insecurity they face regarding their jobs.
They operate to a strict code of conduct that binds them from revealing secrets of their bosses.
Some are threatened with immediate dismissal in the event that something sensitive leaks out to the media. However, the trend seems to be changing as some of the assistants are brave enough to tell it all.
Saturday Lifestyle this week caught up with several individuals who are close to some of our celebrities and they spoke about how they know their bosses.
Charles Chipanga who happens to be Oliver Mtukudzi’s marimba player and backing vocalist says, “Although I am not in a position to comment on his private life, all I can say is that I learn a lot from him.
“He is very inspirational, a father figure, and he seldom has temper tantrums whenever we are working both on and off the stage. He manages pressure well.”
Esau Kaninja (aka Dhiziri) the controversial minder who has hit the headlines for reasons both negative and positive is one of those few people who are well connected to some of the country’s celebrated musicians like Mtukudzi, Tongai Moyo and Alick Macheso.
He is also personally acquainted to the Minister of Media, Information and Publicity, Cde Webster Shamu! Kaninja said that he often assists celebrities either as a bodyguard or master of ceremony at many events or shows.
“They all have different characters. They are just like everyone else, fun-loving people, though a little bit reserved when under the public eye.
“They are so particular about how their stage should be like before they perform, and make it a point to ask for ideas from people around them.
“They are also particular about where they should sit and what they eat and drink and this is where I come in handy.
“I also act as a security personnel.
“However, the majority of them shun alcohol during performances, while others smoke mbanje for inspiration before going on stage.”
Chipo Dande – who has worked with Andy Brown, Chirikure Chirikure, Prudence Katomeni, Dumi Ngulube, Q Montana, Mannex of Transit Crew among others – says she has come across different characters.
“Andy (Brown) is friendly, sociable, unlike what some people would like to believe that he is violent and often has tantrums. Chirikure is a very quiet and happy person who like Andy and Prudence always share ideas.
“Mannex is a very good friend and wants to do everything with other people.
“We have been friends for more than seven years and when I wrote the song ‘Zimbabwe You Are Blessed’ he was the first I thought of ever since we met at Flash’s (Gordon Mutekedza’s) studio,” said Chipo, who is a polished gospel artiste in her own right.
She has two albums “Save Us” and “Ndinochema’ to her name.
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