The Unseen World Backstage in the Entertainment Industry

The entertainment industry can be a glittery, glamorous universe where dreams are made. But, like from any other universe, there are also some bizarre stories that echo from the backstage, the realm that is often hidden from the public eye. Let’s delve into some of these remarkable anecdotes.

The Challenge of Van Halen’s Brown M&M’s

One of the most famous backstage stories involves the rock band Van Halen and their peculiar concert demand for brown M&M’s. Contrary to popular belief, the band didn’t make this Norske demand out of sheer rock star quirks. Instead, it was a test for the promoter.

The no brown M&M’s clause was kept deep within the band’s contract to ensure the promoters were paying attention to every detail, including the important technical aspects of the show. They reasoned that if the promoter missed the M&M’s clause, it was likely they missed some crucial guidelines too. Such diligence probably prevented Van Halen from experiencing accidents on stage.

Mariah Carey’s Special Moisture Provision

Mariah Carey, the ‘Queen of Christmas’, has a particularly interesting rider: she requires a room full of dehumidifiers before her concerts. But the purpose behind it is practical rather than bizarre.

Known for her five-octave vocal range, Carey needs her throat in the best condition. She uses the dehumidifiers to prevent her vocal cords from drying out, keeping her pitch perfect for performances.

Cher’s Physically Challenging Wardrobe

Cher has always been known for her elaborate, stand-out wardrobe choices. However, wearing such costumes can be burdensome. For her ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’ music video, one outfit was so physically challenging that it left her with permanent physical marks.

The tight fit of one of her outfits is rumoured to have left Cher with a marked ribcage. This goes to show that, sometimes, artists put themselves through extreme discomfort to achieve the perfect look for their performances.

Coincidental Costume Catastrophe in the Theater

In 1989, actor Kevin Kline starred in a stage production of “Hamlet” at the Public Theater in New York. During one performance, while Kline was delivering the famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy, his tights suddenly split down the middle.

Instead of panicking, Kline embraced the embarrassing situation and continued delivering the monologue, completely unfazed. The audience loved it and applauded his professionalism.

Alice Cooper’s Unanticipated Prop

Alice Cooper, known for his theatrical horror-style performances, once had a surprise visitor on stage. In Toronto in 1969, he thought a fan had thrown a rubber chicken on stage, so he threw it back into the crowd.

Shockingly, it wasn’t a rubber chicken at all, but a real one. The audience reacted, and the aftermath was quite messy. This bizarre incident has remained an infamous piece of rock ‘n roll history.

Michael Jackson’s Unfortunate Hair Incident

Michael Jackson, the king of pop, suffered a serious accident on the set of a Pepsi commercial in 1984. During a pyrotechnics scene, the singer’s hair caught fire. Despite the tragic incident, Jackson managed to spin a positive take from the misfortune.

He used his personal injury settlement to establish the Michael Jackson Burn Center for Children. Thus, this strange backstage incident became a catalyst for a compassionate initiative.

The world of entertainment has its share of oddities, making the backstage just as intriguing, if not more, as what happens in front of the curtains. These stories show the resilience, quick thinking, and often, a sense of humor required of those in the limelight.