The close-knit world of celebrity bodyguards: Towering heavies who protect the world’s biggest stars – and how they steal them away from each other

Whether they’re touring the world or trying to dodge crowds, there is one person who can always be found near an A-lister… their bodyguard. 

But it seems that once you’ve secured a good reputation as human shield to the stars, the line of celebrities desperate to hire you is a long one. 

Sabrina Carpenter was recently spotted accompanied by two burly men on her Short ‘n’ Sweet tour, 7ft tall Mason James and 6ft 4″ Pascal Duvier.

And they have both got a roster of famous clientele, with James formerly looking after TOWIE’s James Argent and Duvier worked for Kim Kardashian – until their relationship soured when she was robbed at gun point in Paris. 

An insider told The Sun: ‘Pascal hit it off with Sabrina and she feels very comfortable around him. He had a tough few years after the incident with Kim in Paris but he is still well regarded.’

But Sabrina isn’t the only star to enlist the help of another star’s towering heavy… MailOnline takes a look at the close-knit community that is the world of celebrity bodyguards.

Professional bodyguard to the stars Peter Van der Veen has worked with all manner of A-Listers – from Lady Gaga to Iggy Azalea and Adele.

He set many Adele fans’ hearts aflame when he burst onto the scene as her protection, towering over most fans and rarely being absent from her side.

It’s little wonder so many big names have turned to him for bodyguard services, as the former bodybuilder was crowned Mr Europe in 2005.

Born in the Netherlands, he has even appeared on backing tracks for Gaga – for whom he was bodyguard to first.

Van der Veen was then lured to work with Adele from 2010 to 2015, before rejoining team Gaga in 2018. 

Another bodyguard to have protected a range of stars is Londoner Simon Newton, who boasts one of the widest portfolios in celebrity protection.

He is known for being a bodyguard to some of the most famous people in the world – including Michael Jackson, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Rita Ora.

Newton formerly served in the British army before beginning his personal protection role in the Middle East for the American oil company KBR.

Other A-listers he has counted as clients include Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Middle-Eastern royalty. 

Alberto Alvarez meanwhile is not the standard celebrity bodyguard with his criminal record and history of being fired by his clients.

In the summer of 2022, Alvarez was hired as head of security for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. But he was soon fired from the role, reportedly after they became concerned due to his past convictions for driving under the influence and domestic violence.

Alvarez has 15 years of experience providing security services to celebs, most notably a five year stint serving for Michael Jackson and his family.

In March 2010, TMZ reported that Alvarez was fired by the Jackson family after it was revealed he had two DUIs and there were allegations of domestic violence against him.

The site claimed that the Jacksons got rid of the security guard ‘after they discovered he had a criminal record and no longer felt he should be near the family’s large brood of children’.

Alvarez had worked as a bodyguard for Jackson for more than five years. He was pictured by the singer’s side during Jackson’s 2004 child molestation trial in Santa Maria, California, and again in Beverly Hills in May 2009 just days before Jackson’s death.

Alvarez was later hired by boy band One Direction for their security. 

Pop sensation Taylor Swift reportedly gave up her personal bodyguard Jimmy for royalty in 2021.

Although his full name is not known, he has been spotted with the star on multiple occasions, including on dates with her former boyfriend Joe Alwyn.

But when Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited the US in September 2021, Jimmy and at least one other member of Ms Swift’s security team were spotted accompanying them instead of the singer.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were driven around and guarded by the security detail, including a former NYPD officer who is also Ms Swift’s head of security.

A tall, balding man in his 50s known only as Jimmy has dealt with stalkers and intruders who made their way into the singer’s apartment in the past.

Jimmy has also been seen guarding Swift, including during her appearance at the 2019 VMAs.

It is not clear if Swift loaned Meghan and Harry her guards during their stay in New York as a favour or if the Sussexes happened to hire them from a company.

Personal trainer and martial arts guru Matt Fiddes protected singer Michael Jackson for ten years – before becoming a multi-millionaire and property developer.

He stepped into the limelight as he defended the star following his death, and even claimed one of Jackson’s sons as his own child.

The martial arts master, who provided protection for Jackson in the UK, claims he gave the star a sperm donation in 2001 after Jackson told him he wanted an ‘athletic’ child – a year before son Blanket was born. 

More recently he has been pictured with Love Island’s Megan Barton-Hanson, who he was seen doing personal training with and accompanying her on nights out.

He has given a number of other celebrities self-defence and martial arts classes, including Saffron Hart and Hayley Hughes. 

At 6ft 3in tall, Justin Riblet towered above a 5ft 8in teen Brooklyn Beckham, who he was frequently seen guarding while employed by the Beckhams.

He is a former US special forces sergeant, having graduated in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University, New Jersey.

Besides guarding members of ex-England star David’s family, he also spent time as a bodyguard for actress Jennifer Lawrence.