Celebrity Assistants: A Double-Edged Sword of Power and Responsibility
- A former assistant reflects on the toxic relationship between celebrities and their employees.
- The assistant worked for Harvey Weinstein and shares insights into the harmful nature of celebrity culture.
- The experience with Weinstein and the Matthew Perry case continues to haunt the former assistant.
Kenneth Iwamasa, the former live-in assistant to actor Matthew Perry, recently pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, a drug linked to Perry's death. This case has reignited discussions about the precarious position of celebrity assistants, who often find themselves navigating a complex web of power dynamics and ethical dilemmas. The author, who served as a personal assistant to Harvey Weinstein in 1998, reflects on their own harrowing experiences in the industry, highlighting the stark contrast between the two celebrities. While acknowledging that Perry was not the criminal that Weinstein is, the author emphasizes that assistants like Iwamasa are often viewed as enablers rather than victims. This perspective sheds light on the troubling reality that assistants may feel compelled to comply with unethical or illegal requests from their employers, driven by fear and a lack of power. The author’s own experience of being silenced by a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) after a traumatic incident with Weinstein underscores the challenges faced by those in similar roles. The author describes the role of an assistant as a "double-bind," where they bear significant responsibility yet possess little authority. This dynamic creates an environment where assistants are expected to operate in the shadows, ensuring that their contributions go unnoticed. The narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and dangers inherent in the world of celebrity assistance, where the line between support and complicity can become dangerously blurred.