Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite celebrities' tours? Well, buckle up, because the backstage demands of some stars are nothing short of jaw-dropping! Take Queer Eye sensation Jonathan van Ness, for instance, who recently spilled the beans on their backstage rider—a term that might sound fancy but is essentially a list of must-haves for performers before they hit the stage. But here’s where it gets interesting: JVN, who uses they/them pronouns, keeps it surprisingly low-key. No diva demands here—just vegetables with hummus, White Claw (yes, the alcoholic seltzer), Diet Coke, and water. Oh, and salon towels for those days when they arrive with wet hair and need a quick blow-dry. Talk about relatable, right?
JVN’s rider might seem modest, but they admit it wasn’t always this way. Back in the day, their show involved gymnastics in a leotard, followed by a lightning-fast costume change that required a lot more prep. ‘I almost cracked my arse a couple times,’ they laughed, explaining why they eventually ditched the high-risk routine. ‘I realized my stand-up is strong enough that I don’t need to risk my life.’ And this is the part most people miss—even celebrities scale back when they realize less is more.
Now, let’s talk about the wild side of celebrity riders. Over the years, some stars have made headlines for their over-the-top demands. Take Mariah Carey, who reportedly insists on Cristal champagne (around $500 a bottle) and bendy straws to protect her lipstick. Or Pharrell, who once requested a framed picture of Carl Sagan for inspiration. And then there’s The Kid Laroi, who asked for a ball pit backstage—because why not? But here’s where it gets controversial: One A-list celeb demanded ten dressing rooms on The Graham Norton Show, only to use the last one to charge their phone. Yes, you read that right. Ten. Dressing. Rooms. For a phone charger.
These stories raise a question: Are these demands pure entitlement, or just part of the celebrity experience? And where do we draw the line between reasonable requests and outright absurdity? JVN’s approach feels refreshingly grounded, but it’s hard not to be fascinated by the extremes. What do you think? Are these riders a necessary part of the job, or just a sign of stars losing touch with reality? Let’s debate in the comments!
If you’re in Australia, you can catch JVN’s Hot and Healed tour this February and March, with stops at iconic venues like the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne’s Hamer Hall. Tickets are available at TEGDainty.com. Here’s the full schedule:
- February 25: Brisbane - Concert Hall, QPAC
- February 26: Sydney - Opera House
- March 1: Melbourne - Hamer Hall
- March 3: Perth - Astor Theatre
- March 4: Adelaide - Norwood Concert Hall
- March 7: Darwin - The Playhouse
For more on Sydney and other related topics, check out news.com.au.
