To anybody that has been scouted by a TC Talent rep or hopefully I will catch you before they do.
Recently, while out at a college bar in Buffalo, I was approached by a middle age man. His first question to me was how tall was I. I told him that I am 5'8". He then asked me if I had ever thought about modeling and I told him of course I had, doesn't everyone dream of modeling?
He went on to proceed to tell me that I had beautiful facial features and that he thought I would be great for the industry. He even asked me what dress size I was? When I told him I wasn't comfortable telling him my dress size he guessed me at a size 4.
I don't think I am have a terrible figure, but it is quite clear that my size 9/10 figure could not fit into a size 4. This should have been my first clue, but he achieved what he wanted and I took it as pure flattery.
He gave me his card and asked me if I was interested in an interview. I told him that I was interested and he wrote a time and date down on the back of the card.
I was psyched. I told all of my friends, I told fellow co-workers and my one friend, who has modeled came with me to the open call. Like every other article you've probably read so far it was the same thing. You pull up to a nice office building, they put you on an elevator, and once you get off the elevator you are greeted by a friendly and professional staff who has you fill out forms and measures you.
You wait in line to have 3 pictures taken... They even tell you how nice your smile is after the photograph you.
After they file you all into a room to watch a video on TransContinental Talent and Lou Pearlman, they have you wait for an interview.
My interview was about 1-2 minutes long. I faced both walls and showed my ankles and they set me up for a phone interview.
My phone interview was a couple days later and the woman that I spoke with seemed friendly. She made small talk and asked me some questions before she gave me my results. She told me that my pictures were beautiful and I should be eligible for all types of modeling accept for runway because of my height and hip measurement.
She then told me about the payment method and transfered me to someone who was ready to take my credit card number. I unfortunately gave him my credit card number.
I put $595 on my credit card and did a check over the phone for the other $200. I realized that it was quite an investment and I am a college student, who works full time to pay my bills. This was a rather large investment for me.
I was so excited, and flattered, and caught up in the idea, that I disregarded thoughts of a negative checking account and not being able to shop for months. I signed with TC Talent and was told my pictures would be up in 2 days to a week.
My boyfriend was skeptical from the beginning, but after he heard I signed, he checked into the company. I did too, but I went right to the TC Talent Website I was given and he just searched the internet.
While I got the company website, he got the websites that the company doesn't want you to see (probably why you're given their website) the modeling scams.
After I read these the past week flashed before me. I remember all the lines they gave me that should have made me skeptical. The problem is that it is flattering to be approached by people, nobody can deny that. You get so caught up in their glamourous speeches that you forget how big of an investment you're making.
One of the articles my boyfriend gave me was that the Better Buisiness Beareau and Lou Pearlman had set up a 3 day right of cancellation policy. I called 2 days after I signed.
I spoke with a woman and told her that I had signed 2 days previous and that I no longer wish to be involved with the company after further research and I was told by the BBB that I had 3 days to cancel.
The girl put me on hold and then came back on wtih instructions. She gave the address and told me I had to send a letter to the attention of Nina, and it had to be postmarked by 5 pm that night.
I did this. It has been only a week so I don't know if I'll get my money back. Fortunately I had payed $200 by check and was able to put a stop payment for only a $20 fee from my bank.
I don't know if I'll get reimbursed. I would hope so seen as I was told that I was, but this company is obviously not very good at keeping their word.
If you're reading this, I hope that you're reading it before you sign with the company and not after.
I have already stopped one girl by signing after I heard her talking about a talent scout approaching her. Hopefully you'll be the next. Good luck
Elizabeth
Buffalo, New York
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