Modeling Agency News: American Modeling Industry Headlines

"Charlotte has become a national hub for modeling scams. The Carolinas' largest city is hardly considered a fashion center, but about 20 percent of all modeling-agency complaints made to Better Business Bureaus nationwide last year were about Charlotte companies."¹

1. Andrew Shain, "Clients criticize modeling agencies," Charlotte Observer, Apr. 16, 2003.

(Face National Models and Talent, Model Select International, On Track Modeling)

Questions About a Modeling Agency

"Kerry Killowitz, a talent scout for Face told us, "the individuals that we're interested in, that we bring aboard, will actually do some work in this area and in the Pensacola area also, within the next year." Killowitz said he hoped to sign up about 70 models during his two day stay in Mobile, and he said his agency would try to get them work as models. But we heard from others who say getting work through this agency may be a longshot. Brooke Wood, who now lives in Mobile, signed on with Face over a year ago in Seattle. "They had some pretty big name clients." said Wood. "They had Elle Magazine, some top names, Vogue, so the stars were in the eyes when I got there." But since Brooke signed with the agency, she hasn't worked even once, despite what she says she was told at her interview with these same Face representatives in Seattle. "At that time we were told that we have the potential, he chose us and we should get out pictures taken, with the understanding that its a five hundred dollar put down but its worth it, because there's an 80 to 85 percent chance you could work." said Wood. In the end, Wood said, the cost for her pictures, along with her composition cards, slick cardboard brochures with multiple pictures and other information, came to almost a thousand dollars. And face offers the photography service for anyone who doesn't have the wherewithal to find their own photographer. Kerry Killowitz said, "We can shoot 40 to 45 models because our photographers will be here for two days, excuse me five days, two photographers. How many will we end up shooting? thirty, thirty-five." Even if only thirty models were photographed, that would equal about 30 thousand dollars for the agency. The problem is, industry experts say modeling agencies and photographers should be separate entities.... While Kerry Killowitz explained to his crowd of model wannabes that they could use any fashion photographer to take their pictures, Brooke Wood said she was pressured to use the agency photographer. "To my understanding it was to go through his company to get the Face logo on it and the Face name because they'll get the percentage of the work." Wood told us. It's the work that so farm has been elusive to her. Killowitz says, however, his agency is different that others in terms of lining up jobs and models.... The operation of this agency has caught the attention of Attorney's General in at least two states; New York and its home state of North Carolina. And in the past 36 months, the Better Business Bureau confirms some 62 complaints have been filed against the agency, prompting New York's A.G. to issue a consumer alert. Killowitz explains, "we have 62 complaints in our BBB over the past three years. I have 87 agency rosters across the country. 62 complaints over the last three years--that's not a lot of complaints."¹

1. Bill Riales, "Questions About a Modeling Agency," WKRG News-5 Mobile, Jan. 15, 2003.

Woman Charged with Running Phony Modeling Agency

"The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office announced today that felony charges have been filed against the owner of a Campbell modeling agency that allegedly swindled a numerous would-be models. Mary Reyes Valencia was arrested on Wednesday and charged with multiple counts of grand theft and violating a state law covering modeling and talent agency operations. If convicted of all charges against her Valencia faces a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison, according to Deputy District Attorney Robin Wakshull. Valencia is charged with gouging nine victims, mostly young women in their late teens and early 20s, between $2,190 and $2,895 for a photo shoot, professional hair and make-up advice and other elements necessary for a modeling career. Most of the victims believed they were signing up with a modeling agency that would get them work. None of the victims received help getting jobs, most never received any photos from a photo session and some never even had a photo session, Wakshull said. The offenses occurred between May 2000 and July 2002. Neither Valencia nor her business, Models International, has a license to act as a talent or modeling agent. Valencia is currently free on bail. She is scheduled to make her first appearance in court on Feb. 26."¹

1. "Woman Charged with Running Phony Modeling Agency," Bay City News, Feb. 13, 2003.

'N Sync's Pearlman probed

"Boy-band hitmaker Lou Pearlman is the target of a state probe into complaints that hundreds of aspiring models and actors were duped into paying up to $1,500 each for spots on his company's Web site. Clients say they were led to believe that Pearlman's company, Trans Continental Talent Inc., would help them find work--not just post their pictures online. The investigation, which began in August, has turned up "hundreds of potential violations" but no one who actually landed a job through the company, Assistant Attorney General Jackie Dowd said. Pearlman, best known for launching the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync, issued a statement Friday saying he was unaware of the investigation. Florida law prohibits talent agencies from collecting fees upfront, but the promoter said Trans Continental was exempt because it is a "scouting" company that finds talent without marketing it. The company's Web site warns hopeful models that "chances of becoming a superstar in this industry are slim" and the company "will not book you directly." But Trans Continental claims more than 1,000 agencies and clients are registered with it."¹

Trans Continental Talent: An I-Team Investigation

"In September, 2002, Options Talent was bought by another company and the name changed to Trans Continental Talent (TCT). The new owner is Louis Pearlman, an Orlando-based music promoter credited with creating popular music groups like the Backstreet Boys and O-Town."¹

1. "Trans Continental Talent: An I-Team Investigation," Fox 5-Atlanta, Nov. 14, 2002

Controversy surrounds modeling conference

Dozens of Idaho parents say they feel like they've been had, by an out of state company promising to turn their children into stars. The company is a modeling and talent agency based in California known as "Booking Actors and Models" or BAM. They were here about a week and a half ago to look for local talent and they left behind some very angry people.¹

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