In a hilarious revelation that mirrors a plot from a new film, Hollywood icon Julia Roberts has announced plans for a major reset of her professional rider, citing an overwhelming and unexplained abundance of almonds at every event she attends. The actress was inspired to take action after watching her friend and co-star George Clooney's latest movie, 'Jay Kelly'.
The Almond Avalanche That Sparked Change
Julia Roberts told Deadline that she is constantly met with a massive quantity of raw almonds wherever she goes for work. "There is either a huge bag or a huge bowl of raw almonds. I have no idea why. I like them, but not in bulk. I mean, they're everywhere I go. It's so funny," the actress shared. The situation reached a point where she felt compelled to intervene directly.
Prompted by the themes in Clooney's film, Roberts has already taken the first step. She sent an email to her team requesting the immediate removal of almonds from her rider. She elaborated on her decision, stating, "I just recently sent an email since watching 'Jay Kelly', since seeing all these almonds, I sent email and said, 'In the new year, one thing I would really like to do is review any and all riders that pertain to me in this world, because I think it might be time for a little reset on the almonds'." Her goal is to implement this full review and reset by 2026.
George Clooney's Cheesecake (and Apple) Connection
The film that sparked this introspection, 'Jay Kelly', features George Clooney as an ageing actor who finds cheesecake waiting for him everywhere because it was mistakenly added to his rider, despite his dislike for the dessert. Clooney revealed to USA Today that this subplot resonated deeply with him due to a similar real-life experience.
He recounted a story where a simple, offhand comment about liking Fuji apples spiralled out of control. "I remember I was in New York and the driver, he was p***** at me... He goes, 'Look, George, I looked everywhere for Fuji apples. I can't find them anywhere'," Clooney said. The request had become a permanent, burdensome part of his rider, forcing people to go to extreme lengths. He immediately ordered its removal, calling the situation "crazy."
When Good Intentions Go Awry
Both stars highlighted how these odd rider items often start accidentally. Clooney explained, "A little bit of it happens accidentally with people trying to make everything nice." He contrasted this with the infamous demands of some actors, distancing himself from that kind of behaviour. "There's some actors that are literally: 'I only eat green M&M's' kind of b*******. I grew up in Kentucky, we try to stay out of trailers," he stated, emphasising a more down-to-earth approach to life on set.
The experiences of Julia Roberts and George Clooney shed a funny yet relatable light on the world of Hollywood riders, showing how a minor detail can become a major, repetitive fixture through sheer momentum and a team's desire to please.
