How do you hire Rihanna or other stars to perform at your party? Riri’s show at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding may have cost millions, but Lady Gaga and Elton John have done ‘privates’ too
- In the era of Apple and Spotify streaming, pop stars make less money from music sales, while tours involve months of promotions and travel – so they’re more likely to accept private bookings
- Mukesh Ambani got Beyoncé to perform at his daughter Isha’s wedding, and Coldplay’s Chris Martin for his son Akash’s nuptials – while Andrea Bocelli made an appearance at a Kardashian bash
The performance – on night one of a three-day affair in Gujarat, India – did not come cheap. It’s speculated she got paid between US$5 million and US$9 million for the 19-song set, though that hasn’t been confirmed. Rihanna’s spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
A-listers typically nab fees in the low to mid seven figures for “privates”, as they are known, experts in the entertainment and luxury experience space told us. That varies based on location, length of performance, and demand, and artists can charge more for add-ons like meet-and-greets and photo ops. Plus, hosts have to pay for travel – typically, a private jet is required – production costs and lodging.
Having A-list performers at an event, whether a wedding, bar mitzvah or corporate retreat, is nothing new – and can be an ultimate flex.
“If you can afford it, why wouldn’t you fly in your favourite artist to perform your favourite songs rather than simply listening to covers?” Stuart McNeill, the founder of luxury concierge company Knightsbridge Circle, said.
One of McNeill’s clients flew R&B singer Craig David to the German spa town Baden-Baden last year to perform his wife’s favourite song for a group of eight, he said. The company has also hired Elton John for a Christmas party, Nile Rodgers for a 50th birthday, and Lady Gaga for a Vegas gig.
Flo Rida has performed at a Chicago bar mitzvah and a New York private equity party in exchange for reported six-figure sums. Sting and Andrea Bocelli have made appearances at Davos and Kardashian weddings, respectively.
Mukesh Ambani is no stranger to shelling out for singers. He had Beyoncé perform at a celebration for his daughter Isha’s 2018 wedding, and the next year had The Chainsmokers and Chris Martin at his elder son Akash’s wedding festivities. While it’s not public how much Mukesh paid for those “privates”, Beyoncé earned a reported US$24 million last year for a controversial one-hour performance at a hotel opening in Dubai.
