Stars' over-the-top backstage demands

On a recent tour, Mariah Carey's list of backstage must-haves included the usual throat lozenges and mineral water. But the 39-year-old singer also required "a bottle of Cristal champagne, chilled, a box of 'bendy' straws and four champagne glasses." Not to mention "tea service for 8."

Jennifer Lopez goes a step further. Her backstage requirements have included "a white room, white flowers, white tables and/or tablecloths, white drapes, white candles, white couches."

But while divas like Lopez and Carey are known for the unusual demands they make when they're on the road, they're hardly the only celebrities with laundry lists of bizarre requests.

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Even Vice President Dick Cheney has a certain request for his "downtime suite" wherever he goes. Stumped? He asks that all TV sets be "tuned to Fox News."

The phenomenon apparently first caught on in the 1980s, when Van Halen began insisting on bowls of M&M's backstage at concerts—with the brown ones removed.

When asked about it, the group's lead singer, David Lee Roth, said the request was nothing more than a quick way to gauge whether their hosts were being diligent about adhering to a contract that also contained many equipment-related requirements. (Musicians typically have a new contract rider for each tour.) The M&M's are no longer on Van Halen's list of requests.

While some stars are concerned with security—Barbra Streisand has stipulated in her rider that "there will need to be a thorough inspection of [the] concert facility by police K9 prior to sound check"—others require provisions ensuring a star stays healthy.

Christina Aguilera has asked for "One (1) Small Bottle of 'Flintstones' Vitamins with Extra Vitamin C." Only fresh fruit will suit Shania Twain; her demands have included "six lemons, three papayas, three mangoes and 18 apples."

Other stars are less concerned with being well. The only way they prefer to stock a backstage area is with cold drinks and smokes. Coldplay retreats to a backstage stocked with "48 cold, strong continental lagers … NOT U.S. beers" while 50 Cent demands "1 Box of Cuban Cigars (Montecristo)."

The kids at heart include John Mayer and Kanye West. Mayer makes sure there is "One box of a 'Kids Brand Cereal' … From the following brands: Captain [sic] Crunch, Lucky Charms, Count Chocula, Cookie Crisp, Cinamin [sic] Toast Crunch" while West wants checkers game Connect Four at the ready.

Perhaps singer Diana Krall is the only performer whose demands ensure post-gig relaxation: She asks for a yoga room.

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In Pictures: Stars' Over-The-Top Backstage Demands