Celebrity Nannies Share What It’s Like To Take Care Of Hollywood’s Most Famous Kids
In 2011, when actress and comedian Amy Poehler won at the Time 100 Gala, she decided to personally thank her two nannies in her speech. She said just how grateful she was to have someone help her balance being both a mother and a working woman in Hollywood.
It's clear that for many women in Hollywood, having a nanny is an essential way of keeping sane. While helping an A-lister raise their kids might seem like a fun and exciting job but there's more to it than you think. It may sound like a glamorous job until you're forced to wear specific clothes and follow the same diet as the celebrity.
Bey's Nanny Needs To Know The "Single Ladies" Dance
Blue Ivy is one of the biggest celebrity kids in Hollywood because she comes from music royalty. So it's no surprise that Beyoncé and Jay Z make sure she has the best nannies possible. One requirement for the Carter's nanny when Blue was young was that they master the choreography the "Single Ladies." Apparently, doing the dance was the only that that would settle her down.
Just imagine having to learn and do the same dance with Beyoncé watching you.
Every Nanny Goes Through A Rigorous Background Check
Almost every parent would do a background check on their nanny. They want to make sure they aren't leaving their child with a potential murderer but celebrities take them very seriously. There are actually nanny agencies that will provide the stars FBI-level background checks. The checks even include DMV records, drug tests, and rigorous references.
If you can pass through all of those things then you get the chance to meet the star in person so they can see if they even like your personality.
The Celebrity's Diet Is Now Your Diet
For most celebrities, they expect their nannies to make it a 24/7 job. The nanny likely lives on-site and is part of every moment of their child's day. When you spend that much time with a celebrity, you're expected to follow their rigorous diets too. For Gwyneth Paltrow, her nannies have to adhere to her Goop lifestyle.
One of Paltrow's former nannies said that she wasn't allowed to have any alcohol, coffee, wheat, dairy, or sugar.
Gwen Stefani Had Her Nanny Dress In Costume
Being a nanny means getting to be with kids all day and bring out your own inner-child. A former nanny for Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale's kids were required to play dress-up as part of the job. Apparently, the Rossdale children love comic book heroes and were happiest when they're nannies dressed up in superhero costumes.
That meant the Rossdale nannies would take the kids for a walk in the park dressed like Batman or Superman. Cool.
If The Kid Gets In Trouble, It's The Nanny's Fault
We hate to break it to you but half of a celebrity nanny's job is taking the blame for a kid's mistake. Suri Cruise's nanny knows this better than anyone else. After Katie Holmes divorced Tom Cruise and received full custody of their daughter, she insisted that Suri express herself creatively.
When Suri wanted to let her creativity flow but painting an all-black mural on her bedroom wall, the nanny let her. Katie wasn't very impressed though and fired the nanny. Sorry, Suri, that was a little too creative.
Jessica Simpson Doesn't Want A Nanny That's Better Looking Than Her
This isn't exactly surprising when you hear all the nanny horror stories. Men like Ben Affleck and Jude Law have both ruined their relationships after having a young, hot nanny around all the time.
Jessica Simpson doesn't want to risk it so she makes sure not to hire any nannies that look like her or better than her. That means Simpson's nannies can't be blonde bombshells. It might sound crazy, but she's not entirely in the wrong to be a bit nervous.
On The Other Hand, Julia Roberts' Nanny Has To Look Like Her
While Jessica Simpson wants her nannies to look completely different than her, Julia Roberts wants the opposite. When Roberts is away from her kids she requires the nannies to wear a wig that looks like her hair. The idea is that the kids won't notice their mom is actually gone.
Roberts actually took a break from acting to raise her children when they were born, so we can tell she takes things very seriously.
Celebrity Nannies Don't Just Take Care Of The Kids
To be a top celebrity nanny you have to have a very specific set of skills that go past just child-rearing. Kate Gosselin from Kate Plus 8 naturally relies a lot on nannies and will often ask them to go above and beyond just cooking and cleaning for her.
Single-mom Kate not only asked her nannies to help with raising her eight kids but one former nanny said she was asked to do weird jobs. One former nanny said Kate made her take care of the family chicken coop.
The Kardashians Have A Strict Cell Phone Ban
Phones are a big no-no with most celebrity nannies but the Kardashian moms take this rule extra seriously. Since magazines and tabloids will pay thousands for photos of celebrity kids, the Kardashians don't want their nannies betraying them and selling off photos of the next Kardashian generation.
Usually, that means nannies have to check their cell phones at the door or swap it out for a one that's completely controlled by the Kardashians.
Oh, You Might End Up Testifying In Court Against Your Former Employer
A nanny can quickly become an integral part of the family, but that also means having to go against them. Int he case of Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain's nanny, they had to go to court in support of their daughter Frances Bean Cobain. After her father's death, Frances filed a restraining order against her mother Courtney.
Frances was still in her teens and the court required the nanny to testify that Courtney Love was an unfit mother. According to the nanny's testimony, Courtney has addicted to drugs, had hoarding issues, and even once fell asleep with a lit cigarette that started a fire.
Or Sometimes, You'll End Up As The One Being Sued
On the flip side, being a nanny might mean you're the one getting sued. Michael Jackson's eldest child Paris was required to testify in court during the wrongful death lawsuit against Jackson's doctor.
During Paris' deposition, it came out that the Jackson had a family nanny named Grace Rwaramba that was obsessed with the King of Pop. Grace would apparently even sneak into bed with the star. Needless to say, she was fired and sued in a civil lawsuit.
Halle Berry Doesn't Want Her Kids Getting Too Much Affection
Halle Berry is very strict about keeping her kids out of the public eye. She even helped pass a law against photographing celebrity kids for tabloids. Despite all the good she has done, some of Berry's former nannies say she is almost too protective sometimes. The star's nannies are banned from showing any affection to the kids. That includes hugging, kisses, or cuddling.
To each their own, but it might be weird tucking a child into bed and saying goodnight with just a wave.
The Kardashians Make You Walk In A Specific Formation
If you're a Kardashian nanny then be prepared to get in formation. The family makes their nanny and entire entourage walk in a flying V formation. That means the Kardashian and their kids are at the front and the nannies, assistants, bodyguards, and friends fall back in line behind them. The rules might bend a little when they're out of the public eye.
Other stars a little more lenient on where their nannies can walk when they're out and about in public.
SJP Has A Long List Of Very Specific Rules For Nannies
Just like her Sex And The City character, Sarah Jessica Parker has high standards. When it comes to her nannies, they are expected to follow a long list of highly-specific rules. One former nanny revealed that she had detailed instructions on how to administer eye drops for the kids. It was even specific about how the kids should be blinking.
The same nanny said there were even dishwashing instructions for a spoon used to refill a 1.75-ounce container of vaseline.
Mariah Carey's Nanny Also Has To Dish Out Compliments
Being a nanny for a celebrity A-lister is already an over-the-top job but of course, our favorite diva Mariah Carey takes it a step further. If you're hired as a nanny to her twins Moroccan and Monroe Cannon then you're also kind of a nanny for her. Carey's nanny is required to compliment the star.
But that's not all. The nanny also has to remind Moroccan and Monroe to complement their mother. The nanny brings the twins into Carey every night to tell her that she is "beautiful and talented."
Say Goodbye To A Good Night's Sleep
Being a parent means forgoing a good night's sleep, but celebrities can't exactly afford to do that. They're paid to look good and nannies are not. So when it comes down to who is getting a full eight hours of sleep, the celebrity wins. At least, in the Jolie household, they do.
Before Angie married Brad Pitt, she was a working, single mom to her adopted son Maddox. Angie hired a nanny specifically for night-duty so she could get her beauty sleep.
Don't Speak At All If You're Charlize Theron's Nanny
Celebrity nannies will either become the celebrity's best friend, or they're expected to fade into the background and be invisible. South African's actress Charlize Theron is supposedly in the camp of having her nannies be non-existent. Theron's nannies aren't even supposed to make eye contact with the star.
We're not sure how the nannies are expected to communicate or receive any instructions from Theron, but just do what makes her happy and move on.
Kris Jenner Had Nannies Walking On Glass (Figuratively)
For Kris Jenner, being a mom of six with more step-children on top of that, a nanny was a necessity if you wanted to build an empire. The notorious mom-ager was said to be a complete micromanager when it came to her nannies. Jenner's ex-nanny Pam Behan said the breaking point for her was when Kris freaked out because she forgot to buy broccoli from the grocery store.
Behan didn't quit though because the highs outweighed the lows. Pam was consistently gifted expensive hand-me-downs and even dated Sylvester Stallone thanks to her celebrity connection.
You'll Probably Be Micromanaged By The Celebrity Mom
Kourtney Kardashian seems to have followed in mom Kris' footsteps because she is known in the nanny scene for being a notorious micromanager. One former nanny to Kourtney and Scott Disick's three kids says she is extremely over-protective and is constantly checking up on the nanny.
While all mothers can be protective, Kourtney's nanny said it's harder to handle with the Kardashians because they can be rude when they do it. Kourtney isn't one to mince her words, so we can see her instructions coming off a little harsh.
Nannies Need To Make Sure The Kids Aren't Outfit Repeaters
If you want to take care of a Kardashian kid then you need to be an amateur stylist. Not only are you as a nanny expected to always look your best, but the kids have to also. Kim and Kanye are style icons and their kids need to look the part.
An ex-Kardashian nanny revealed that Kim actually has a digital wardrobe database that makes sure North is never seen in an outfit twice.
Don't EVER Let The Baby Wake Up Kim Or Kanye
Just like Angelina Jolie, Kim and Kanye value their beauty sleep. The power couple really values their peace and quiet together so they have a strict rule that the nanny needs to be sure the kids don't wake them up.
They take this rule so seriously that one time a nanny couldn't keep their child quiet and Kanye got so upset he cut their pay. It might sound harsh but we're sure Kim and Kanye are excellent parents once they've had their morning coffee.
Kate Gosselin Makes The Nannies Follow The Same Rules As Her Kids
The world has watched Kate Gosselin put her nannies under a ton of stress. Not only do they have to care for the chickens and eight children, but did you know they're also expected to follow the entire set of household rules?
One of the weirder Gosselin rules that the nanny and all eight kids must follow is to walk lightly around the house. Apparently, Kate really hates people stomping around. Tread lightly in the house and around your boss.
If You're Madonna's Nanny, The Kids Are Your #1 Priority
Madonna is the Queen of Pop and as such, has very high expectations for anyone on her staff. If you want to be a nanny to one of Madonna's kids, then you're going to have to uproot your entire life.
Madonna expects her nannies to live in the household and attend to the kids 24/7. There is no downtime off. If you're a nanny for Madonna then don't even bother RSVP-ing to that wedding, having a birthday party, or starting a family of your own!
Madonna Wants A Multilingual Nanny
On top of being available 24/7, Madonna also requires that her nannies speak more than one language. Specifically, her nannies must speak French. Considering the fact that celebrities love to adopt children from different countries who speak different languages, it makes sense that they want someone who can keep their child's culture intact.
At least Madonna only requires you know on language. If you're a nanny for a multicultural family like the Jolie-Pitts, you would have to be the Rosetta Stone.
The Beckhams Need A Nanny Who Is Also A Seamstress
Victoria and David Beckham are practically royalty in the U.K. and they're definitely considered fashion icons. Both of them have clothing lines and are always looking their best when they step out. All four of the Beckham children have to follow in their parent's footsteps by looking their best and so does the nanny.
The Beckhams' daughter Harper is notorious for playing rough so their nanny needs to be able to fix and sew up any clothing disasters.
Yep, Affairs Happen
When Jessica Simpson set out beauty standards for her nannies a lot of people could understand why. More than one celebrity couple have been torn apart by a hot, young nanny. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Graner filed for divorce after it was revealed that Ben slept with their nanny.
But it wasn't even a one-night-stand! After their divorce was finalized, the nanny in question was seen bringing a bottle of champagne over to Ben's new bachelor pad.
Just Accept That Blue Ivy Is Cooler Than You
It might not be an easy pill to swallow but if you're a celebrity nanny then you'll have to accept the fact that the kid you're watching is already more successful than you ever will be. One former nanny to Blue Ivy revealed that she has a wind machine available to her at all times so she can also strike a pose.
The same nanny also revealed that Blue has a full-time yoga and meditation instructor on hand to keep her body healthy and happy.
The Kardashians Nannies Are Also Pet-Sitters
If you're a nanny for one of the Kardashian-Jenner sisters then you'll probably end up watching the pets of multiple other Kardashian-Jenner sisters. Maybe that doesn't sound too bad at first but the family has a shockingly high number of pets.
Most of the pets belong to Kylie and Kendall and are adorable four-legged friends. Not all the pets are so friendly though and Kendall actually has a pet snake. Hopefully, you're fine with no-legged not-so-furry friends.
Honestly, The Pay Isn't Even That Good
With all these crazy demands and expectations coming from celebrities, you might think that at least it's all worth it because you're getting a celebrity-level paycheck. Think again. Even though these people have millions to spare, the hourly rate is pretty average.
The bright side is you get to spend every day with a celebrity that you probably idolize. You might also get some pretty sweet tips and gifts.
Don't Question The Celebrity Mommy
This one should be obvious to anyone working as a nanny whether it's for a celebrity or not. What mom says is the final say. You might think you know what is best for the child but newsflash, you don't. Especially when it's a celebrity's child.
Kourtney Kardashian is reported to often lets her kids sleep in her bed. Do you agree with the practice? Well, sorry, but your opinion as a nanny doesn't matter.
You Might Be Told To Get Plastic Surgery
It sounds crazy but it's true. We know Kris can be hard on nannies but apparently, so is Caitlyn. Back in the '90s when Caitlyn started getting reconstructive surgery, she would apparently instruct the nannies on what kinds of surgery they should get as well.
We don't know how many nannies followed through on the suggestions and actually got surgery, but hopefully, it was none. Getting plastic surgery just to make your boss happy doesn't sound like it's worth it.
Get Ready To Spoil The Celebrity Child To No End
A former nanny to Katie Holmes said that her daughter Suri Cruise gets whatever she wants whenever she wants it. Remember how it was Suri's nanny who was fired for letting her. be creative? Well, every nanny has to give her that liberty.
When it comes to Suri if she wants ice cream you give her ice cream. If she's on a. no-sugar diet and asks for ice cream, you give her ice cream. If Suri gets a stomach ache after it's your fault, not hers.
Bey Had Six Different Nannies
Hiring six different nannies might sound a little extreme but it might actually work in the nanny's favor. If there are six of you, then you don't have to be doing 24/7 duty for one child. When it comes to Beyoncé's kids, if there are six of you hopefully only one needs to know the "Single Ladies" choreography.
Plus, after hearing the diva lifestyle Blue Ivy lives she needs six nannies. Who else is going to carry her wind machine around for her?
Bodyguards Are Part Of The Nanny Crew
A nanny is just one of many people in an average celebrity's entourage. Most celebrities will walk with their kids, their assistants, family members, nanny, and bodyguards to protect them all. Naturally, those jobs can get intertwined. While a nanny might not be a good bodyguard, sometimes the tough guy ends up doing some childrearing duties too.
Celebrities won't hire regular "mall-cop" bodyguards though. Just like nannies, bodyguards go through extensive background checks and training.
Don't Give Nicole Richie's Kids Any Sugar
Nicole Richie was often criticized for her hard-partying lifestyle but she grew up and turned it around when she met Joel Madden. The pair now have two kids and Nicole is a diligent mom. One of her first rules? No sugar allowed.
In her new lifestyle, Nicole has cut out sugar from her own diet and her kids and Joel have to follow. It might be a strict diet plan but there's nothing wrong with eating healthy.
Madonna's Nannies Have To Follow Her Strict Diet Too
Another celebrity mommy with a hard diet for her kids to follow is Madonna. She doesn't prepare dinner for the kids so she expects her nannies and chefs to make sure the kids are eating well.
Madge's family has to follow a kosher and macrobiotic diet. The nanny's job is keeping sugar and salt away from the kids at all times. At least they'll probably never crave it since they've never had it.
North West Has A Nanny And A Confidence Coach
One nanny revealed that not only does North West get what she wants and to wear the most stylish clothes, but she also has a confidence coach on the family's expense. The coach meets with North West to make sure she never feels down on herself.
The coach's daily duties are to tell North just how pretty and amazing she is and teach her own to carry herself with style and grace. How do we get one of these coaches?
Be Prepared To Watch The Kids Spend More Money Than What's In Your Bank Account
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie might are ridiculously protective of their kids, and try to make up for it by letting spend as much money as they want. One former nanny spilled the beans that Shiloh racked up $5000 on Brad Pitt's credit card and didn't get in trouble.
We guess if you're going to be sheltered by your parents, it's best to be sheltered with as many materialistic possessions as possible. Those kids will never be on the ramen diet when they get to college.
Don't Speak Unless You're Spoken To
A former nanny for Victoria Beckham spilled the beans about how awful it was to work for the former Spice Girl, saying she went ballistic when she caught the nanny talking to a beautician. We're not sure why this is a big deal, but okay...
Reportedly, one of the reasons Beckham was so upset was because the nanny had slept with her husband. The rumors were never confirmed, but Abigail Gibson ended up quitting, citing abusive working conditions as the reason why.
You Should Probably Not Text Inappropriate Things To Your Boss
You'd think this rule would be obvious, but not to everyone. Eva Amurri learned she married a truly amazing man when he fired their nanny after she sent him inappropriate texts. The texts were supposed to look like she was texting a friend about the things she wanted to do to her boss.
Except the text was sent to her boss, who showed his wife, and the nanny was sent packing. We don't know what crazy things the family asked her to do to take care of their kids, but that's not really important for this story.
