Pop Stars Who Demanded Insane Backstage Riders on World Tours

Music icons often travel the globe with massive productions and equally substantial lists of requirements for their dressing rooms. These backstage riders range from specific dietary needs to unusual requests for decor and furniture. Production teams must source unique items and maintain strict environment controls to satisfy the world’s most famous performers. Understanding these demands provides a glimpse into the high pressure world of international touring and the comfort measures stars require to perform.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez reportedly requested that her dressing rooms be decorated entirely in white during her various public appearances and performances. This included white flowers and white candles alongside white furniture and white drapes. These specific requirements were intended to create a serene environment before her appearances. Such demands for monochromatic aesthetics have become a trademark of her tour riders over the years.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey famously asked for twenty white kittens and one hundred white doves during a 2009 Christmas tree lighting event in London. This request was reportedly denied by organizers due to health and safety concerns for the animals. Her typical rider also includes specific requirements for two dozen white roses and vanilla scented candles. The singer further specifies that her dressing room must be set to 75 degrees Fahrenheit at all times.

Katy Perry

Katy Perry has a very strict policy against carnations being present in any of her dressing rooms. Her ‘Prism’ tour rider detailed that her floral arrangements must consist of white and purple hydrangeas or pink and white roses. The document also requested a specific set of furniture including two cream colored chairs and a custom coffee table. She requires a staff member to prepare her fresh fruit and vegetables according to a precise list.

Beyoncé

Beyoncé requested that her dressing room be maintained at exactly 78 degrees during the ‘Mrs. Carter Show World Tour’ schedule. Her rider also famously included a demand for red toilet paper and hand carved ice balls to soothe her throat after performances. She requires that all her staff wear one hundred percent cotton clothing to prevent any allergic reactions or static. The singer also asks for heavily seasoned chicken and alkaline water served at specific temperatures.

Madonna

Madonna travels with a massive entourage of two hundred people which includes personal chefs and a dedicated acupuncture specialist. Her ‘MDNA’ tour rider specified that every dressing room must be fitted with a brand new toilet seat for each venue. She also requires thirty bodyguards to be on duty at all times to ensure her privacy and safety. The singer demands thirty clones of her home furniture to be shipped to every location to help her feel at ease.

Adele

Adele included a requirement for several packs of cigarettes and a lighter in her rider for her second world tour. Her document also specified that any beer provided must be European and should not include any North American brands. She requested a selection of small bite sized sandwiches that must not contain tomatoes or citrus fruits. The singer also asked for a kettle and a variety of herbal teas to be available before she took the stage.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga requested a mannequin with pink pubic hair to be placed in her dressing room during the ‘Monster Ball’ tour. Her rider also called for a long straw to be used for drinking tea so she would not ruin her elaborate makeup. The singer asked for specific snacks such as organic tortilla chips and salsa alongside various types of cheese. She also required the room to be decorated with glam rock posters and silver satin drapes.

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber requested ten luxury sedans and a massage table for his personal use during his 2017 visit to India. His rider for the ‘Purpose World Tour’ also listed specific snacks like organic honey and Swedish Fish candies. He required a private jet to be on standby at all times for his travel between different cities. The singer also asked for a yoga casket which is a specialized container used for relaxation and meditation exercises.

Britney Spears

Britney Spears requested a framed photo of Princess Diana to be placed in her dressing room during her 2011 tour. Her rider also included specific food items such as cheeseburgers and fish and chips. She asked for an assortment of snack foods like corn chips and various types of candy to be available for her team. The singer also required a private telephone line that allowed her to make international calls without restriction.

Rihanna

Rihanna demanded that her dressing rooms be outfitted with animal print rugs including cheetah or leopard patterns. Her rider for the ‘Last Girl on Earth’ tour also specified that the room must have dark blue or black drapes to create a specific atmosphere. She requested several specific forest scented candles to be lit before her arrival at the venue. The singer also asked for specific food items like hard boiled eggs and green olives with garlic.

Kanye West

Kanye West required that all vases in his dressing room be cylindrical and that no square containers be used. His rider for the ‘Watch the Throne’ tour also demanded that the towels provided be one hundred percent black cotton. He asked for specific imported snacks and a bowl of pistachios with the shells removed. The rapper also requested that his driver wear attire made from one hundred percent cotton to avoid synthetic materials.

Prince

Prince famously required that all the furniture in his dressing rooms be covered in clear plastic before he entered. His rider stated that the room must be kept at a specific temperature and that no one was allowed to speak to him unless spoken to first. He requested a variety of herbal teas and specifically asked for jasmine scented candles to be placed around the space. The singer also demanded that the lighting be dimmed to a very specific level to maintain a calm environment.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift requested a very specific coffee order which included a large iced caramel latte with two sugar substitutes. Her rider for the ‘Red’ tour also included demands for several types of fruit juice and a specific brand of butter. She asked for a variety of snacks such as popcorn and chocolate chip cookies to be available for her dancers. The singer also reportedly requested that kittens be brought to her dressing room for stress relief during certain tour stops.

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera requested a police escort to navigate through traffic so she would never be delayed for a performance. Her rider also included a demand for chewable vitamins and specific types of organic fruit. She asked for a large selection of tea including chamomile and honey to be served in ceramic mugs. The singer also required that her dressing room be stocked with specific types of bottled water that were not chilled.

Cher

Cher requested a separate room specifically for her wigs during her ‘Dressed to Kill’ tour. This room had to be climate controlled and kept at a specific temperature to maintain the quality of the hair pieces. Her rider also specified that her dressing room must be filled with various types of lilies and white roses. She required several comfortable couches and a large area for her personal wardrobe team to work.

Drake

Drake requested four dozen incense sticks of a specific scent to be burned in his dressing room before he arrived. His rider for the ‘Away from Home’ tour also included demands for several bottles of high end champagne and vodka. He asked for specific snacks such as gummy bears and various types of fresh fruit platters. The rapper also required a large supply of white t-shirts and socks to be available at every venue.

Joe Jonas

Joe Jonas once requested twelve puppies to be brought to his dressing room while he was on tour with his brothers. This request was actually fulfilled at several tour stops where local animal shelters brought puppies for the band to play with. He has stated in interviews that this demand was born out of a desire for companionship and stress relief during long tours. His other rider requirements are generally modest and include standard snacks and hydration options.

Please share which of these celebrity backstage demands you find the most surprising in the comments.