The tragic death of Matthew Perry on October 28, 2023, has cast a spotlight on the often unseen and troubling world of celebrity assistants. Perry, best known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing on Friends, was found dead in his jacuzzi, having reportedly been administered a fatal dose of ketamine by his live-in assistant, Kenny Iwamasa . The shocking incident unfolded when Iwamasa, who had been working for Perry, was arrested at Le Bourget Airport in Paris upon returning from Azerbaijan.
Iwamasa has confessed to injecting Perry with the drug following Perry's request for a “big one.” His arrest has raised questions about the intense and often perilous pressures faced by those in such roles, reported the New York Post. “The job of a celebrity assistant often means crossing moral and ethical boundaries,” said Merryl Futerman, a former assistant and author of Don’t Make a Scene: Struggles of a Celebrity PA.
“You’re expected to be discreet, but sometimes the demands can be downright dangerous,” quoted the New York Post. Hollywood insiders reveal the harsh reality behind the glamorous façade. “It’s challenging to refuse a star’s request, especially when they’re powerful,” a veteran Hollywood boss explains.
“Assistants are often put in positions where they have to make impossible choices.” Iwamasa’s arrest has left friends and family reeling, highlighting the extreme pressures that come with working closely for celebrities. Despite the high salar.