Over the summer, shortly after the Emmy nominations were announced, Sydney Sweeny did an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in which she spoke candidly about the financial pressures she faces despite being a working actress. It was a bit of an eye opener, especially considering her status as an “It Girl,” and shed light on the costs associated with fame. The Hollywood Reporter did a follow up of sorts where they broke down some other costs that celebrities may face.
Publicists: The rates for publicists vary pretty dramatically based on how busy the talent is, and many will take a hiatus from their rep when work is slow. But when Sweeney said, “I have to pay my publicist every month, and that’s more than my mortgage,” that’s in line with what others pay. It’s generally a flat fee ranging anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000 a month.
Personal Assistants: Not every star has a personal assistant, and some have multiple. The going rate is anywhere from $50,000 to about $150,000 a year — with some, typically those in chief-of-staff roles, making even more than that. Stars also could shoulder the costs for travel for their own personal assistants during a press tour.
Glam and Styling: For A-plus talent with leverage, a network or studio often will cover the cost of hair, makeup and styling for press events and premieres. But that’s not always the case. For full glam, actresses are looking at $1,500 to $2,500 per event, while stylists could charge $2,000 to $3,500 for their services and the use of designer clothes. All told, some A-list stars will easily pay $100,000 to $500,000 a year to look their best and never repeat outfits on red carpets, magazine covers and talk show couches.
Security: Protecting yourself and your property is often a necessary expense. Rates can start at around $5,000 for a basic security assessment. For the highest-profile stars or someone with, say, a valuable art collection that needs top notch protection, 24/7 security teams can cost millions each year.
Some are the things we usually think of — the percentages that go to agents, managers, lawyers, accountants, etc. But then others are less obvious — the things we do see in some way, but don’t necessarily think of immediately — like publicists, personal assistants, glam and styling, and security. I’m aware that celebrities need these services and they play a huge part in their public image, but it seems like such a part of their life sometimes it’s easy to dismiss the costs. And cost it does! Wow, some of those figures shocked me. And I think the glam and styling estimate barely scratches the surface. The article mainly cites big events like premieres and talk shows, but there are a ton of smaller daily costs that add up. Certainly celebrities get stuff for free, but they likely still have to buy products and pay for services to maintain their appearance. It’s all part of their image and brand. So things like blowouts, mani-pedis, facials, waxing, exfoliation treatments, etc., it all adds up. I recall listening to a Death, Sex, and Money interview with an actress (I think she was from Transparent or another mid-popularity cable show) in which she talked about all those personal maintenance costs to look good on camera as part of her job and how they came out of her own pocket. And that must be magnified all the more for celebrities who are more visible and therefore under more scrutiny.
Photos credit: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon
-
- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – NOVEMBER 05: Sydney Sweeney arrives at the 11th Annual LACMA Art + Film Gala 2022 presented by Gucci held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on November 5, 2022 in Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 735581329, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Sydney Sweeney, Credit line: Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / Avalon
I would imagine that some portion, if not most of these costs are written off as business expenses.
All I can hear is David’s voice from Schitt’s Creek – it’s a write off!!!!!
Not sure how British taxes are, but in the US that’s like a 20% or 25% savings. It still costs a lot.
It might reduce tax liability, but it still isn’t free.
write off or not – it reduces the actual hard cash the actor has available to live, save for retirement, buy health insurance, etc. Expenses are still money going out the door, regardless of their tax treatment.
She needs to find a new stylist cause that is too much money to pay for what she’s been rocking on the red carpet. Yikes.
It is tax deductible as a business expense, but the outlay is huge. This makes it almost criminal that actresses are paid less than actors. Their costs are so much higher. Not just the beauty, but the workouts, as well as higher security costs. I have to imagine the social media content and management eats up the bucks, too. No wonder we’re stuck with all these nepo babies.
Agree w/ your post! But there are some ways to cut costs. I think I read once that Angelina Jolie, for example, didn’t have a publicist and her attorney or business manager makes official statements for her. Don’t know if that’s true or still true.
And another example, some actors still have roommates (Cory Monteith) or buy a small starter home, etc. Blake Lively said she didn’t use a stylist so she must have saved major money, and so on and so on.
Most people use stylists for access to designer clothes. Stylists have connections and can get dresses on loan for people. It’s probably cheaper to have a stylist than not if you’re making regular red carpet appearances.
@Gigi
Yes you are correct AJ dose not have a publicist and hasn’t had one for over 20 years. If I remember correctly she got rid of hers when she left CAA agency.
These are costs that I didn’t realize cost so much for non-actresses. It makes me wonder how some people just in the beginning of fame swing this without the studios paying.
I notice that a lot of people who aren’t acting or singing anymore seem to have a steady lifestyle and I always wondered how. I think that those with good business managers put something away for investments as often as they can and that is how they survive when the fame is gone.
” It makes me wonder how some people just in the beginning of fame swing this without the studios paying. ”
That’s why so many are nepo babies or trust fund kids/from wealthy families.
What are the duties of a manager?
Agents just want to book you a job, any job. Managers are to guide your career.
Every time I see Sydney’s picture I like her less and less. Just something that rubs me the wrong way big time. Another look: she looks VERY smug in all photos.
One of these photos is actually Vanessa Kirby looking a lot like Sydney. It’s one of the IG ones, her name is hashtagged.
I feel the same about her every time she gives an interview. Plus, I still think she’s an awful actress.
That is insane. I don’t understand how anyone who doesn’t come from a wealthy family could even begin to handle costs like this. Like, wtf? It’s legit becoming impossible for a person from a working class or middle class family to even enter the industry. Shameful.
A while ago I read an interview with Lili Reinhart in which the interviewer/reporter was shocked at her (apparent) lack of assistants and personal entourage. This reminds me of that.
Most of the big stars need social media managers as well. Not just to make posts for them, but to scan all the sites for deepfakes and fake nudes and hanve them taken down. I hope that social media help is part of standard contracts for any actors who do nude scenes. Any nude scene now (and that has happened in the past) runs the risk of appearing on porn sites. Even actors who dont do nude scenes can end up with nude scenes faked. Security for any high-profile woman in particular is critical (I say the men need them too, with crazy stalkers out there). I think it was Elijah Wood who said that he lives a pretty ordinary life, even with all the money he made from Lord of the Rings. Any job when you’re an actor can be your last, so the money you make needs to last. And expenses are so high that they take home only a fraction of what they’re paid.
Several women actors said that they do fashion endorsements for the money–the fashion pays the bills so that they can do interesting independent films. Having a sponsorship can cut way down on the cost of clothes and styling, as the brand will be invested in your appearance. That’s why I don’t really care if so and so looks bad on the red carpet because they’re wearing X brand. Most actors would probably wear chicken suits if it meant their major clothing and styling expenses could be paid for. To get an ambassador role at a major brand like Chanel, Dior, or LV is worth it, even if they dress you in shrouds.
Not exactly a fan of SS, but I do appreciate how she’s made the financial side of Hollywood visible. Many of your comments above further explained how incredibly difficult it is to make it.