Daily Star | Michael Jackson’s bodyguard was in huge behind the scenes entourage to protect star
EXCLUSIVE: Former bodyguard Simon Newton, who has previously worked for many A-list stars, talks what it was like being part of Michael Jackson’s enormous entourage
Michael Jackson | Image Credit: Getty Images
Hollywood bodyguard Simon Newton has revealed what it was like to work for Michael Jackson.
In an exclusive chat with Daily Star, Simon revealed: “We got to speak to him a little bit, there was five of us, five security on the job plus all these extra entourage – hair, makeup, wardrobe, managers – we had his children with us as well so we had nannies.”
Newton was a member of Michael’s posse and helped protect the global superstar while he was out and about. Simon explained: “Michael was quite big so we didn’t get to speak to him that much, not as much as I would do normally to the others [clients].”
Although Jackson was known globally, it seems the star hadn’t let fame go to his head. While working for him, Simon said that the musician was “quite shy”.
“He probably was what I expected but he was quite shy, considering he was someone so famous. He was quite softly spoken, he came across as quite shy.” Newton has since given up his bodyguard work and explained what a typical day on the job looked like.
Simon Newton | Image Credit: Simon Newton Instagram
“When you’re in big contained places for the day it’s not such a big deal – you still have to keep an eye on things though. When you’re out, shopping, meetings, fittings, rehearsals, travelling around all the time, that’s when it gets strenuous because you have to negotiate every site you go to.”
“Make sure you get in and out properly, make sure the vehicle’s always got somewhere to be. All the stuff you normally have to do.”
Simon also revealed that the celebrity client he was “most on guard” with was Michael, “just because of his fanbase” who would “follow them around all the time”.
“Couldn’t take your eyes off him for a second because someone would get in, touch him, say hello to him or just be a nuisance.” Although he was “on guard” while protecting Jackon, nothing compared to his previous career: “I worked in Iraq and Afghanistan for a long time, as a bodyguard, so once you’ve been somewhere like that you’re not scared of the UK. It was very different, I did nearly six years [over there].”
Check out Simon’s clothing website Simon Newton London here.
Original article by Bekka Barnard US TV & Showbiz reporter | To view the original article click here