Some celebrities have asked for $100,000 to perform at the college. Another celebrity, Andrew Jenks, MTV personality and star of World of Jenks, said his price was much more affordable – he only asked for a small amount of money, a turkey sandwich and a coke.
The cost of bringing a celebrity to campus depends on the actual celebrity said Jake Akehurst, Student Activities Manager. Once they get to campus, there are even more demands to be met – and the process to secure them can be long and tedious.
“We look at their price range, and it’s a lengthy process depending on their level of talent,” Akehurst said.
First the college must contact the celebrity’s agent and agree on a contract. According to Akehurst, someone the college seeks out will usually have their own contract, although the college offers its own seven-page contract.
This is done anywhere from as much as two years to as little as three months in advance, said Emily Behrmann, manager of the Performing Arts series.
“Some artists prefer to work six months in advance or less to allow room for other opportunities,” said Behrmann.
However, the efforts are usually worth it.
“They [celebrities] are typically very nice people when you get an opportunity to chat with them,” said Akehurst. “[They’re] pretty much just like you and me.”
If something comes up, there is a place in the contract stating the celebrity has a certain number of days to notify the college. Otherwise, the college either does not have to pay the celebrity or is refunded for the deposit.
However this leaves some gray area. For instance, a severe storm early last spring caused school to be cancelled at the beginning of February. A performance was scheduled for Feb. 1.
“The artist could not perform, but we covered their expenses without paying their fee,” said Behrmann.
When all is said and done and the contracts have been signed, Akehurst and Behrmann said some celebrities have very specific requests about their accommodations: from special types of equipment to specific brands of gum and even green M&Ms.
“Natalie Cole asked for sandwiches. We only had mayonnaise, but she eats Miracle Whip. We had to run out and buy her Miracle Whip,” said Behrmann, laughing.
At times, Behrmann said, the audience gets a close-up look at the show. Such was the case with famed animal trainer Jack Hanna. Because the college had no space backstage, “the [caged] animals were all in the wings, so we could check them out,” Behrmann said. The smell of animals also wafted through the wings. Behrmann said Jack Hanna even stated he did not enjoy traveling with an anteater in the show because “he just smells so bad.”
The college draws the line at some requests, though.
“Most [celebrities] will have at least a page of requests for food and drinks,” Akehurst said. “Nothing crazy, but those are the things we will usually cross out…Bands will have alcohol [as part of their requests], which we don’t provide.”
Contact Ashley Jenks, special to the Ledger, at ajenks@stumail.jccc.edu.