From humble beginnings in Toronto’s east end, Lauren Walters has worked with some of the biggest names in the biz, from Drake and Justin Bieber, to Jay-Z and Beyonce.
“Scarborough is where it all began for me,” Walters recalls. “It’s my foundation. Along with my Jamaican roots, it made me the person I am today; my values, the way I see the world. It all comes back to being that Jamaican kid from Scarborough.” – Lauren Walters
Although Scarborough, Ontario, the eastern suburb within the City of Toronto, seems like a world away from the stars, palm trees, and sandy beaches of Hollywood, it has produced some of the biggest names in entertainment, from Jim Carrey, Mike Meyers, and John Candy to Lilly Singh and The Weeknd, to name a few. But with such a impressive track record, it’s difficult for anyone to narrow down why Scarborough has produced and exported so many stars over the past 50 years.
One of the names which has slipped under the radar is Lauren Walters who has been quietly making a name for himself in the industry for over 20 years. This is because Walters isn’t a musician or film and TV star; he’s the man who stands beside, or behind, them keeping them safe. Through his Los Angeles-based company Coterie Advisory Partners, he has worked with, and been trusted by, the biggest stars on the planet.
But before being introduced to the glitz and glamor of Hollywood, Walters came from humble beginnings. The former West Hill Collegiate student grew up in Toronto, Scarborough to be exact, the son of immigrant parents from Jamaica. He surprisingly came from a long line of bishops and clergymen, but his calling would take him down a completely different path. Still, his faith in God continues to be at the center of his work and life.
For the past 23 years, Walters has been working in the close protection industry, protecting high profile clients all over the world. But it all started with his first company, King’s Court, in Scarborough. While working with executives, entrepreneurs, and faith leaders in the Greater Toronto Area, he would find his footing in the entertainment where he remains today. Among his first clients was Toronto’s biggest ambassador and musical export, Drake, with whom he worked for five years as a member of his security team. He then spent 14 years as Chief of Staff for Justin Bieber, eight years as Head of Security and Operations for Jhene Aiko, and seven years as Head of Security and Operations for Partynextdoor. He even accompanied PND and Drake on their recent 13-city Some Special Shows 4 U tour.
After the years, he’s also worked with kind-of royalty. Among his clients were Reggae royalty, Ziggy Marley, and the Marley family during the Bob Marley: One Love global premiere, press, and awards ceremony run. He also worked with Jay-Z and Beyonce during their 2019 trip to Jamaica.
His business has taken him the world over, but still, the now Los Angeles-based entrepreneur and family man doesn’t forget where it all started.
“Scarborough is where it all began for me,” Walters recalls. “It’s my foundation. Along with being Jamaican, it made me the person I am today; my values, the way I see the world. It all comes back to being that Jamaican-Canadian kid from Scarborough.”
So what’s left to accomplish for a man who has already traveled the world and worked with the biggest names in show businesses?
“You’ll have to wait and see. At some point, I’ll want to slow down, but there’s still so much for me to do—new ventures and industries to explore. Just wait and see.”
Kevin Bourne is SHIFTER’s Toronto-based editor and Senior Entertainment Reporter focusing on Black music and film & TV. He was named one of 340 international voters for the Golden Globe Awards and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
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