Backstage demands from Hollywood’s biggest divas draw fire from a former top producer
Don’t call them low-maintenance: a former producer with years in the industry says Hollywood’s biggest stars come with some unexpected backstage expectations.
The moment that sticks with former Top of the Pops producer Gareth Davies isn’t a performance — it ’s a hallway drill. He says Shania Twain wouldn’t touch a door herself during her visit to the long-running British music show, so her team moved like a pit crew: someone always had to sprint ahead and swing every door open before she arrived.
“It was quite fascinating to see … It was sort of like this regimented, rehearsed line that if someone faltered,” Davies told Page Six, adding, “if someone didn’t get to the door before Shania did, they might be in trouble.”
Davies said Twain topped his personal “diva” list — and he called that no-door routine a little bit “over k***.” But he added that other chart-toppers brought their own quirks when they hit the same stage.
- Jennifer Lopez — According to Davies, she transformed her dressing room into an all-white environment, down to plastic film over the walls, and insisted on a white microphone, which took real wrangling to secure.
- Madonna — He recalls the biggest entourage he’d ever seen arriving with her. In one scramble, Madonna’s stylist allegedly forgot to bring any outfits, forcing a last-minute fix before showtime.
Davies spent years working behind the scenes on the BBC’s weekly chart show — a stopover for the world’s biggest pop acts — and says watching the machinery around megastars up close could be as memorable as anything that aired.
When fans cross lines
Davies also pointed out that it isn’t only performers who push it. Stars have spoken up about boundary-crossing from fans, too, and some moments have made headlines.
- Bad Bunny — Threw a phone into the water after a fan shoved it into his face, later saying respect matters more than a snapshot.
- Justin Bieber — Has argued no one is owed a picture just for buying an album and asked fans lingering outside his home to leave.
- Emma Watson — Says she avoids selfies in certain situations for safety and privacy.
- Lili Reinhart — Confronted people who photographed her while she was eating lunch.
- Chappell Roan and Sophia Bush — Have both described uncomfortable physical contact from strangers.
Davies shared his backstage stories in a new interview with Page Six.