The close-knit world of celebrity bodyguards: Towering heavies who protect the world’s biggest stars – and how they steal them away from each other
Whether they’re touring the world or trying to dodge crowds, there is one person who can always be found near an A-lister… their bodyguard.
But it seems that once you’ve secured a good reputation as human shield to the stars, the line of celebrities desperate to hire you is a long one.
Sabrina Carpenter was recently spotted accompanied by two burly men on her Short ‘n’ Sweet tour, 7ft tall Mason James and 6ft 4″ Pascal Duvier.
And they have both got a roster of famous clientele, with James formerly looking after TOWIE’s James Argent and Duvier worked for Kim Kardashian – until their relationship soured when she was robbed at gun point in Paris.
An insider told The Sun: ‘Pascal hit it off with Sabrina and she feels very comfortable around him. He had a tough few years after the incident with Kim in Paris but he is still well regarded.’
But Sabrina isn’t the only star to enlist the help of another star’s towering heavy… MailOnline takes a look at the close-knit community that is the world of celebrity bodyguards.
Professional bodyguard to the stars Peter Van der Veen has worked with all manner of A-Listers – from Lady Gaga to Iggy Azalea and Adele.
He set many Adele fans’ hearts aflame when he burst onto the scene as her protection, towering over most fans and rarely being absent from her side.
It’s little wonder so many big names have turned to him for bodyguard services, as the former bodybuilder was crowned Mr Europe in 2005.
Born in the Netherlands, he has even appeared on backing tracks for Gaga – for whom he was bodyguard to first.
Van der Veen was then lured to work with Adele from 2010 to 2015, before rejoining team Gaga in 2018.
Another bodyguard to have protected a range of stars is Londoner Simon Newton, who boasts one of the widest portfolios in celebrity protection.
He is known for being a bodyguard to some of the most famous people in the world – including Michael Jackson, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Rita Ora.
Newton formerly served in the British army before beginning his personal protection role in the Middle East for the American oil company KBR.
