A woman who worked as a seat filler at the 2024 Grammys has shared insights about the unique role, how she landed the job, and how to identify seat fillers in the audience.
Events like the Grammys and other major award ceremonies are known for having full audiences, even when celebrities arrive fashionably late. This is largely due to the work of seat fillers, who ensure that the venue never appears empty, particularly on camera.
Katelyn McLaughlin is one individual who has served as a seat filler at the Grammys.
Representing OLBG, Katelyn discussed the necessity of seat fillers during star-studded events.
“It’s to keep the audience of an event looking full on camera,” she explained.
“During commercial breaks, people are constantly getting up to go to the bathroom, grab a drink, or talk to someone at another table, and producers don’t want empty seats showing to the audience at home.
“Once the show starts back up again, everyone has to stay seated where they are until the next commercial break, so seat fillers step in to fill those gaps if there are empty chairs.”
Katelyn also shared details about the specific rules that seat fillers must follow, especially regarding their dress code.
She stated: “They give pretty specific dress guidelines. You have to wear formal attire in dark colours like black or navy. You can’t wear anything with a long train or cape that drags on the floor, and comfortable shoes are a must since you’re on your feet a lot and moving quickly.
“They recommend avoiding super high heels, even though some people still wear them. I chose a small heel. Dark colours work well because you look polished but don’t pull focus on the camera from the actual celebrities.”
While seat fillers are intended to blend seamlessly with the audience, they can be identified by a specific ribbon pinned to their clothes.
“They’re usually wearing a special ribbon pinned to their outfit,” Katelyn noted. “If you watch an awards show closely, you can often spot them.”
To secure this highly coveted role, Katelyn had to create an online account and upload a photo ID for identity verification. Both she and a friend applied.
With thousands applying each year, Katelyn felt incredibly fortunate to have been selected just two years ago.
Reflecting on her excitement upon receiving the news, she shared: “About ten days before the Grammys, I woke up to an email telling me I’d been picked. The craziest thing is that my friend also got chosen. I couldn’t believe our luck!”
In past years, the Grammys have had their fair share of memorable moments. In 2000, Jennifer Lopez turned heads in a green, deep plunge Versace dress, which sparked so much online interest that it led to the creation of Google Images.
Another unforgettable moment was when Lady Gaga arrived at the 2011 Grammys in an egg, remaining inside until her performance of ‘Born This Way’. It remains a puzzling yet iconic moment in Grammy history.
Nicki Minaj’s 2012 performance of ‘Roman Holiday’ featured an exorcism-inspired scene that left the audience startled. While some regarded it as an artistic choice, others found it uncomfortable and shocking.
Taylor Swift’s near-win moment in 2014, when she thought her album Red might win Album of the Year, turned awkward when the presenter announced “RRRRRRR-Random Access Memories” instead.
Finally, Kanye West’s infamous interruptions also made headlines. After interrupting Taylor Swift, he did the same to Beck in 2015, suggesting Beck should hand over his award to Beyoncé, leading to yet another awkward moment in Grammy history.