Rick Mendoza is considered one of the most notorious paparazzi in Hollywood. In an interview, he explains why he has no moral qualms – and why the image of his profession is even too good for him.

Britney Spears, Prince William, Johnny Depp, Kim Kardashian – Rick Mendoza photographed them all. But not perfectly lit and beautifully staged in a studio, but in situations where the stars would have preferred to stay alone. Mendoza is considered one of the most famous (and feared) paparazzi in the world.

It is not uncommon for him to stretch the moral standards, following celebrities deep into their private lives. Mendoza doesn’t have a guilty conscience: “If you feel bad about it, don’t do it. There’s no law, I’m not going to jail,” he said in an interview with “Mic” magazine. “If you’re worried about morals, get a new job.” He himself has no such scruples, claims Mendoza.

Rick Mendoza made the most money with a picture of Zsa Zsa Gabor

Ultimately, it’s all about entertainment, Mendoza says: “Don’t think too much.” Even if celebrities sometimes complain about him and his colleagues, that doesn’t bother him: “You’re a star, you’re out on the street, that’s fair game,” he counters. “You belong to the public and the paparazzi have the right to take photos.”

The poor image of his profession bothers him little. On the contrary: Mendoza even wishes that paparazzi were socially ostracized even more – then he would earn more money. Nowadays everyone wants to be a paparazzi and take pictures. 25 years ago, when Mendoza started “shooting down” stars, things were very different: back then there were no cell phones with cameras.

Since then, Mendoza has lived almost around the clock for his job. Everything in his everyday life revolves around celebrities, he says: “When I go on vacation, I try to combine it with the vacation of stars.” The most expensive photo he has ever sold was one of actress Zsa Zsa Gabor on her way to her leg amputation. Mendoza claims he received $300,000 for it.

Britney Spears rubbed his foot

The stars have a split relationship with him. You stay in touch through his photos, some of them only become known that way. On the other hand, paparazzi are notoriously abusive to the privacy that celebrities are entitled to, drawing celebrity annoyance as a result. Mendoza has also become one of the best-known representatives of his guild because Britney Spears ran over his foot in a car in 2007.

At the time, there was no trial for assault. When asked by “Mic” if he had filed a claim for damages, Mendoza replied: “I took care of myself. That’s all there is to say about it.”

Sources: “Mic” / Rick Mendoza on Instagram