Michael Jackson’s former bodyguard, Simon Newton, has opened up about the challenges of protecting the pop icon during a 10-day trip to London in 2006. Newton, who has also worked security for Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Middle Eastern royalty, described guarding Jackson as a “consistently horrendous” experience due to the overwhelming fan presence.
Newton recalled that fans would go to extreme lengths to follow Jackson, even keeping taxis on standby all day just to trail his movements. Crowd control was the biggest issue, with security having to position vehicles as close as possible to entrances to shield Jackson from overzealous fans trying to grab or touch him. Despite the chaos, Newton said there were no immediate threats—just an intense level of devotion unlike anything he had seen with other celebrities.
After years in security, Newton eventually shifted his focus to acting and fashion. He appeared as an extra in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and has since launched his own clothing line, Simon Newton London. Reflecting on his career, he acknowledged that no other client ever attracted the same level of attention as Jackson.
Jackson passed away in 2009 at the age of 50 due to acute propofol intoxication. His personal doctor, Conrad Murray, was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Despite the controversies surrounding Jackson’s life, Newton’s experience highlights just how intense and relentless the superstar’s fanbase was until the very end.
