The real stars never walk the red carpet alone. In the wake of Cillian Murphy, Christopher Nolan and Emma Stone, so-called talent escorts follow at the Oscars – dressed in black and out of the picture as much as possible. They are part personal assistant, part press supervisor and part babysitter. Throughout the evening they ensure that the stars are in the right place on time and look their best.
Most escorts have one star under their wing. They meet them at the dress rehearsal or when the nominee, presenter or performer steps out of the limousine. And they stay by their side all evening. Some escorts, the floaters, wander around and help where needed.
They know exactly what to do for the show. It has been prepared and rehearsed down to the last detail. The escorts know the requirements. How long can the stars stay on the red carpet? How many interviews do they want to do? Which media do they want to speak to and which do they prefer to avoid? The star decides, the escort executes.
‘No pictures’
If you have to describe the function in one sentence: the connection between the star and the production of the awards ceremony. That’s what Caitlin Williamson (25), experienced talent escort (Emmys, Grammys, People’s Choice Awards) says. “We are the only ones who have both interests in mind. A journalist or star can ignore the rules and planning, but then a live show would definitely go wrong. So we’re like babysitters. We must know where the stars are at all times; letting the producers know if they are even in the building, something serious has happened, they are in the toilet, have moved to a different place or are exactly where they need to be to get their cue.”
Tonight, Williamson’s dream comes true, she will be on the red carpet at the Oscars. The road there was quite smooth. Williamson studied entertainment and communications in California and gained red carpet experience during an internship as a production assistant.
However, the work is not easy and not for everyone. There are extremely many rules. You must adhere to the dress code: black, and not too casual. You are not allowed to share overheard conversations from behind the scenes, including your own anecdotes. And you are absolutely not allowed to take photos. “Not even if they offer it,” says Williamson. You’re even told how to hold your phone when sending a text: flat and camera-side down, so no one can suspect you’re taking a photo or video anyway. Production keeps a constant eye on you. If you break a rule, you will be blacklisted: you will not be asked back.
“In a rebellious moment, I once took a photo of Will Smith and Sarah Jessica Parker,” says Sachiko Tiana (38), who worked at the biggest award shows for years. “Unremarkable, I thought, but then I heard a producer in my earpiece telling everyone that we should not forget that we were not allowed to take photos. I never did it again.”
At the same time, a talent escort must guarantee the comfort of the star. For this you must have communication talent. Williamson discovered this when she coached cast members of medical soap Grey’s Anatomy. “When Jake Borelli (Dr. Levi Schmitt in the series, ed.) arrived, I noticed that he felt uncomfortable walking the carpet alone. He didn’t say it, but he did get very nervous. I inquired where his colleagues were, so that I knew how long we had to travel and sought some shade. When he knew he was no longer alone, he completely recovered.”
“But the most important thing I learned is that you should never communicate too directly. Saying that someone now has five minutes to pee is too limiting. They must have autonomy over their time and body. If you hear in your earpiece that the show starts in fifteen minutes, I say that if they still want to go, now is a good time. Then the decision is theirs.”
