Star treatment for the celebrity PAs

It's a demanding 24-hour job to be at the beck and call of the rich and famous, but Marley Obi discovers it is not without perks

LARA Flynn-Boyle, star of Men in Black II, recently revealed that in the early days of her relationship with Jack Nicholson, it wasn't the actor himself but his personal assistant, who would call to arrange dates.

To a corporate PA, organising Jack Nicholson's love life may seem a far more exciting prospect than scheduling dull meetings for boring business types.

But how easy is it to be PA to a celebrity?

Getting the job in the first place is often the biggest difficulty.

"Showbusiness is quite incestuous and celebrity PA positions are rarely advertised," says Stella Walker, MD of Handle Recruitment. " Usually PAs will have worked in the industry in a different capacity. They tend to be carefully handpicked and word of mouth plays a big part."

But it is not impossible for corporate PAs to make the move to being a celebrity PA (CPA), as long as they have excellent organisational and interpersonal skills and can demonstrate a passion for the job. "A good route in is to temp in TV, film, music and management companies because their clients are celebrities. If you are already in a permanent PA job then make sure you register with media and communication agencies that have access to those sorts of jobs, but be prepared to wait," advises Amanda Fone, managing director of Pathfinders.

For Persia Sethi, 31, a former bookkeeping temp, being PA to Status Quo is a dream job that she couldn't contemplate ever leaving. "I really look forward to Mondays," she says.

"The job is extremely varied.

I could be filming or booking flights and I get to travel with the band, which is fantastic. I speak to a lot of people such as agents, travel companies and the crew and build up relationships. The time just flies because you are doing different things."

Susie Steadman, PA to singer Darren Hayes, is not office based. She travels with the singer, working out of hotel rooms and organising every aspect of his life. So far this year she has spent less than a week at home. "I've never been a nine-to-five person-and the highs and lows of the entertainment industry are what I thrive on. I wake Darren up every morning and I am usually the last person he speaks to at night. His life is my life and I am always five steps ahead, anticipating his needs so that he never has to think about anything except performing."

When working that close to a celebrity, diplomacy, discretion and loyalty are all important. Most celebrities will insist on assistants signing a confidentiality agreement.

There is no job description for a CPA. The role is often a cross between a trusted aide and a general skivvy task can be consider demeaning. "You've go able to go to your em with solutions, not lems," says Walker. "Y have to know when t out of the way. You ca sight of the line betwe business and persona tionship. If you are struck, forget it, becau just won't be able to c trate properly."

If the CPA is workin an artist's office and h to run the business side or her life, this u involves co-ordinating travel and hotels, looking and a general skivvy and no task can be

considered too demeaning. "You've got to be able to go to your employer with solutions, not problems," says Walker. "You also have to know when to keep out of the way. You can't lose sight of the line between the business and personal relationship. If you are starstruck, forget it, because you just won't be able to concentrate properly."

If the CPA is working from an artist's office and helping to run the business side of his or her life, this usually involves co- ordinating all the travel and hotels, looking after their properties, bills, fan mail, dealing with the Press and liaising with agents.

Bigger celebrities will have a PA on the business side and another on the home front, looking after the home, organising housekeepers, nannies, cooks and children's schools.

Despite the heavy workload, CPAs tend to earn a bit less than the industry standard for PAs because artists take into account the kudos of working for someone famous. But a lot depends on the level of success and generosity of the artist. PAs to major stars can make up to pounds 45,000.

However, anyone dreaming of the high life should beware the pitfalls. Celebrities are extraordinarily demanding.

Madonna is known to change PAs quicker than she changes her image. Though some stars are nicer and more appreciative than others, it is a 24-hour job.

When things go wrong, be it at 5pm in the afternoon or 2am in the morning, it is the CPA's job to sort it out.

But when the relationship works, CPAs can stay with the same employer for years and become a part of the family.

Sethi says: "I would love to have kids but I'd be bored doing any other job. I don't know how I'd cope because it's been my life since 1990."

When Joan Collins wed Percy Gibson in February, her matron of honour was Judy Bryer, her PA from the Dynasty years. Other perks include travelling the world often getting star treatment, receiving lots of party invitations, gifts, clothes, records and concert tickets.

Steadman is in no doubt about the highlights of her job with singer Hayes.

"I've met people like the Rolling Stones and Sting, but for me, the best moment was appearing in the video for Darren's new single. I feel lucky to be experiencing these things."

Handle Recruitment: 020 7569 9999

Pathfinders: 020 7431 3511

Music Market: 020 7486 9102

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