EXCLUSIVE: Michael Jackson’s former bodyguard, Simon Newton, has recalled an instance when fans were so wild they were attempting to crawl through security’s legs to get to the pop star.
Former bodyguard to the stars Simon Newton has revealed what it was really like being on Michael Jackson’s security team – describing the job as ‘impossible’.
Recalling an incident which saw crazed fans attempting to reach the superstar by crawling through Simon’s legs, the security professional admitted it was ‘scary’ for late star Michael.
“Working with Jackson was impossible, it was just constant. We had fans putting black cabs on meters all day just so they could jump in it as soon as left a location – or they would jump on scooters to follow us around,” says Simon as we sit down for an exclusive interview in Cannes during the annual film festival.
He adds, “They would even try to crawl under our legs to get to him, it was another level. We split up into four cars, but people just didn’t stop. He had so many people around him that he didn’t feel as scared, but he was getting pulled from pillar to post, so it wasn’t easy for him,” Simon continues of the late singer.
Alongside Michael, Simon’s former employers include Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid, Rita Ora, Kendall Jenner and Halsey – all of whom he was solely responsible for as their bodyguard when they travelled from the US to the UK.
Having worked alongside Bella often, including during several London Fashion Week appearances, Simon describes the supermodel as ‘amazing’ when we probe whether she’s down to earth or high maintenance.
He says, “Bella was always amazing, to be honest, she wasn’t high maintenance at all. And Kendall was amazing too. I had a good time with them and we never had any issues, I was quite liberal and didn’t let them not do things, so if I said no to somewhere they wanted to go, they would listen, since it was rare.
“Models and people like that are no different to you or me, they still get upset, they still laugh, they still need the bathroom and sleep and food. The fundamentals are the same, but they need more protection.”
Did he get much downtime with the rich and famous, we wonder? “Most of it was photoshoots, so we didn’t get much downtime, but there would be the odd relaxed day where we would go shopping or to the beach,” explains Simon.
Despite having given up his work as a bodyguard, Simon still owns his own security company Askari Security, which provides security for major celebrity events, multi-million pound homes and TV streaming giants. While he also has his own clothing company, Simon Newton London.
However, these days, Simon is trying his hand at acting and has recently gone back to basics by training in drama school – something he describes as ‘scarier’ than the life-threatening work in the army and in bodyguarding her has done previously.
“I worked as a bodyguard and I worked in Afghanistan and Iraq for quite a long time, so obviously that’s quite dangerous, but it wasn’t as scary as acting school. Being out of my comfort zone used to mean It could get me killed, but now at least I know nothing is going to happen to me. I’m not a natural actor, but I’m not the worst and I really enjoy it,” he says.
But already off to a good start, Simon has recently wrapped up filming new film Retribution, which is set to be released in November this year. But with a tough exterior, he says his image makes it difficult not to be cast as ‘tough guy’ characters, and would like to branch out.
“I’m always typecast as a security guard, police officer, gangster, boxer, or something like that. I get all the same stuff, but, you know, I’m 46, so, if that’s what they want to give me, it’s fine,” Simon continues.
But admitting he would like to branch out, Simon says the dream is to be in a James Bond movie. And while the leading role of 007 may be too ambitious, he would be keen to have a smaller role in the franchise.
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