What is a Non-Disclosure Agreement?
A Non-Disclosure Agreement is a legal contract that establishes a confidential relationship between the parties involved. Those signing the document, agree that any sensitive information they may obtain will not be shared with others. NDAs are typically used to protect proprietary information in business settings, but their usage has expanded into a more personal and intimate sphere, particularly among celebrities.
Why Do Celebrities Opt for These Legal Agreements?
Celebrities opt for NDAs to protect their private lives from becoming fodder for tabloids and social media. With the rise of digital media and the insatiable appetite for celebrity gossip, any personal detail can quickly become public, leading to unwanted attention and potentially damaging repercussions. NDAs offer a way to maintain a semblance of control over one’s personal narrative.
NDA: A Growing Trend in Divorce Proceedings
The use of NDAs in divorce proceedings is becoming increasingly common among Hollywood elites. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, once the epitome of a glamorous Hollywood couple, are now embroiled in a bitter legal battle. Recently, Jolie accused Pitt of attempting to “silence her” by pushing for an NDA that would cover allegations of abuse. This high-profile case highlights the complex dynamics of celebrity divorces, where financial matters and personal reputations are at stake. The couple’s ongoing disputes over the French winery, Chateau Miraval, adds another layer of complexity to their legal entanglements. Jolie’s legal team argued in support of a motion compelling Pitt to disclose information, which his lawyers decried as “wide-ranging and intrusive” in a separate filing.
On a quieter front, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness are navigating their own divorce after 27 years together. Reports in October 2023 suggested that Jackman was prepared to offer $100 million to his estranged wife Furness, in exchange for signing an ironclad NDA. According to reports, this step is less about the money and more about maintaining control over personal information. A source told The National Enquirer, “This move is less about the financial aspect and more about retaining control.”
The insider further dished, “They do not have a prenup and he is poised to be exceedingly generous with his $100 million fortune, provided she accedes to his stipulations.” Shortly after news of the NDA went public, US weekly reported the actor’s plans to release his ‘healing’ memoir filled with ‘big bombshells’.
Are Bollywood celebrities signing NDAs behind closed doors?
Advocate Mrunalini Deshmukh, a senior matrimonial and family lawyer known for handling celebrity divorce cases in India, tells us, “I am aware of nondisclosure agreements being signed. It’s not just celebrities, but even those who have a big name.”
Why are celebrities opting for this legal agreement?
Deshmukh explains, “Parties who are from well-known backgrounds find themselves in the middle of a divorce for reasons ranging from infidelity to substance abuse, they later reconcile and mutually consent to say ‘We were incompatible’.”
“There are cases where there is adultery on the part of the wife or the husband, which caused the breakdown of the marriage, but obviously, they don’t want it to come out because they’ve settled the matter. So they do sign a nondisclosure agreement before the divorce. It is more of a way to keep the cause of the divorce under wraps,” she says.
Elaborating further on reasons behind the breakdown of high-profile marriages, she says they range from either physical or emotional violence, adultery, or even substance abuse. “But, when they reach an agreement, it is just not on paper, but it also means that there would be an NDA stating that this part of their lives will not be brought up anywhere. So at any point in time, you ask them, what was the reason for your divorce? They’ll say, ‘Oh, we were not getting along’.”
Celebrities and NDAs: A Broader Perspective
Earlier this year, Lukas Gage spoke a few words on his 6-month marriage with Chris Appleton, revealing, “There’s a three-letter thing that I signed.” When asked by chat show host Andy Cohen if he signed an NDA with his former husband, he gestured that his lips were sealed.
While it is unconfirmed whether Gage signed an NDA, it’s plausible given that he married Kim Kardashian’s hairstylist. Back in 2016, it was suggested that those appearing on ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ signed NDAs. During Rob Kardashian’s bitter split with Blac Chyna, ABC News obtained an NDA dated June 10, 2016, from Kim’s representatives after the network sought comment from the family.
According to a copy referenced by People, the NDA stipulated that Chyna “shall not at any time disclose, publicly or privately, any information which is in any way, fashion, or manner related to, associated with or connected to the Kardashian family/Jenner family/Disick family/West family and/or their personal relationships, their business activities, plans, operations, finances or employees.”
Other stars are less hush-hush about making their partners sign these contracts, in order to protect their privacy. Former “That’s So Raven” star Raven-Symone revealed on the ‘Howie Mandel Does Stuff Podcast’ that she made anyone she was dating sign a non-disclosure agreement. “All of my relationships, when I started dating, I had to get people to sign NDAs,” she explained. “It took me a while to wrap my head around it because it’s just very impersonal. But someone in our position needs to do that.”
When asked when she would bring up the paperwork, she replied, “Before the naughty times come.” She even mentioned having a filing cabinet with all the forms in a folder marked ‘relationships.’ “You pick one up, date it, sign it,” she said. “I still have them. I still have all of them so nobody can say anything.”
Rapper Jack Harlow has incorporated NDAs into his lifestyle so frequently that he even rapped about it in his song “21C/Delta.” In his son, he raps, “First name, last name, date of birth / make a bad b***h sign the paperwork.”
In 2021, Harlow explained to GQ Hype that he used NDAs to ensure privacy when hanging out with women. “I wanted to establish that, ‘Hey, my texts aren’t meant for your friends. Our time together is for us.’”
Similarly, Oscar and Grammy-winning singer Billie Eilish referenced NDAs in her song “NDA,” which touches on the challenges of celebrity life: “Had a pretty boy over, but he couldn’t stay / On his way out, made him sign an NDA.”
Taylor Swift, known for her chart-topping hits about personal experiences with failed romances, reportedly uses NDAs to ensure her exes remain discreet about their relationships. Many have noted how the singer has sold out stadiums with songs allegedly about her love life, but her exes, who seem to be thorough gentlemen, usually don’t kiss and tell their side of the story. Why is that? “Taylor Swift has settled a number of scores in song, yet cleverly ensured her ex-lovers rarely become liabilities,” legal expert Emma Gill told MailOnline. “By definition, we’ll never really know what conditions are imposed by non-disclosure agreements, but you can find templates for ‘Relationship NDAs’ online,” she added.
What are the plus points of this agreement?
“The pros are that ultimately when you close a matter, it is locked away forever,” Deshmukh says and explains, “Even if you must have gone through hell, when you decided to take that step and end the relationship in a peaceful manner, either for money or for peace or for good or for kids, you have obviously been compensated for it in whatever manner. Some call it ‘alimony’, others call it ‘financial settlement’, so then, there is an understanding, which is also a little commercial in nature, and you are bound to that. Then the two can’t come back and publicly run each other down. This contract, in a way, stops them.”
Would this be considered in a court of law?
Advocate Mrunalini says, “Yes, it would be considered by the court.” While admitting that she has not yet seen this legally binding document being put to the test in a court of law, she says, “In the situation of a defamation case, if despite the NDA, the partner goes and starts saying things, then they can be sued not only for defamation but also for a violation of this contract.”
Is this a new trend among the rich and famous?
“Yes, it’s a new trend,” Deshmukh says and highlights the digital media age as one of the primary causes. She explains, “Now, social media has become a big hindrance to privacy. Of course, it has its positive, constructive, side, but even if a celebrity’s personal matter goes on social media, it goes viral.”
“When people feel that their relationship will be misused on social media, they opt for this to take care of their personal and family reputation.”
No Disclosing Wedding Deets
NDAs are not just handy for divorces, separations and not-so-serious relationships but they are extensively used as a tool to keep all wedding deets private too! So much so that celebrities throw in a mix of information, confusing all those involved in orchestrating their shaadis.
A source who has been a part of several high profile Bollywood weddings reveals, “Most times we are approached by managers or agencies who maintain secrecy about the celebrities involved. Despite signing NDAs, we are not given clarity about the wedding dates either. Numerous wedding dates, destinations and requirements are provided to maintain ambiguity and assure double privacy. Even after the wedding is over and covered by the media, we are not allowed to speak about it. Phones are also not allowed at the venue during festivities as celebrities want the highest level of secrecy. But not all Indian actors go to this extent.”
A Legal and Cultural Phenomenon
NDAs have become so ingrained in celebrity culture that they have made their way into popular media. The film Red, White & Royal Blue, which explores a romance between a British prince and the son of an American president, playfully incorporates NDAs into its narrative with the double entendre: “My NDA is bigger than yours.”
NDAs have become so prevalent that they’ve even made their way onto the big screen. Nearly a decade ago, the erotic film Fifty Shades of Grey, starring Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson, made a notable impression with a scene where Christian Grey takes Anastasia Steele to Seattle in his helicopter. At his penthouse, he requires her to sign an NDA to keep their intimate encounters private.
Is an NDA the answer to all celebrity privacy problems?
While it seems like this little agreement is watertight, Deshmukh advises, “To have this agreement, there should be some checks and balances. There are always going to be practical difficulties because there may be nothing stopping a friend from revealing details. They can say they’re not bound by that contract. You will always find loopholes like these.”
The use of NDAs among celebrities offers them a way to safeguard personal information, manage public narratives, and protect relationships from becoming public spectacles. As the trend continues to grow, this legal paper is likely to remain a vital tool for public figures to navigate the complexities that come with living their lives under the spotlight, all while retaining control over their personal narratives.
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