One question I’m often asked is, “Have you ever massaged a famous person?”
Yes, I have.
Celebrities are, in many ways, just regular people with very unusual jobs. They arrive wearing ordinary clothes, speak normally, and look much like anyone else. Well, almost anyone else. I have to admit, one of them was phenomenally handsome. He was wearing a guest robe, and he looked exactly as he does on television and in magazines, right down to the perfectly groomed hair and brows and beautiful skin. I have even had the opportunity to provide massage therapy in the homes of some of my celebrity clients.
Of course, the next question is always, “Who?”
Wouldn’t you like to know?
Only my closest friends and family get the details. I believe strongly in maintaining my clients’ privacy, and that is especially important when working with public figures. Celebrities have to be particularly careful about whom they allow into their personal space because of their visibility, finances, professional connections, and public status.
I will simply say that, throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with A-list and B-list celebrities from a wide variety of professions, including professional baseball players, both active and retired; poets; UFC fighters; authors; stand-up comedians; professional surfers; professional skateboarders; singer-songwriters; producers; film actors; choreographers; commercial actors; and news anchors.
I have been a massage therapist in Southern California since 1998 and have worked in clinics, spas, high-end hotels, and private practice. Over the years, my career has brought me into contact with people from all walks of life, including some whose faces are instantly recognizable.
I do not ask celebrities for photographs or autographs, and I don't even make a point of telling them that I know who they are. I keep the experience as low-key and professional as possible. After all, massage therapy is ultimately about relaxation. They came to me to decompress, not to talk about their careers.
So, yes, I suppose you could call me a “celebrity massage therapist.” But my approach to every client remains the same: professionalism, discretion, respect, and quality massage therapy.
Because at the end of the day, celebrities are people, too. Just like you, they sometimes need a massage.
