I was 17 years old when I was first approached by a scout from Options Talent (TCT). It was in a super WalMart. Me and my 3 friends were walking down the candy isle. I noticed a man wearing a nice suit kept staring at me. He looked like he was with his wife and kid.
Then he said, "Excuse me how old are you?"I said 17. Then I noticed he took out a business card & he started writing on it. He said that he wanted me to model for MTV & Paramount pictures. I got really excited.
I thought me a model, I'm not pretty enough. I felt so special. Not to mention he only asked me and not my other friends, who I thought were 10 times prettier than me. Then he asked me if I would be able to bring my parents the next day to their office so we could get everything started. I could not stop smiling.
I went home and told my parents about it, and they both said no because it was probably a scam. I was really upset. Then I looked at the card he gave me and realized it said a women's name on it and VP of New Faces. I thought that was weird because scouts should have their own business cards.
Later on that day, I went on their website to see if it was all for real. The site seemed to be well organized. They had this thing where you put the scout's name and ID and it would give you info. About them. I put my scout's name and ID in at it said that he wasn't found. I thought maybe he was new or something. On the site, they made it seem like they discovered all these models and they were God's gift to the music industry.
I wondered everyday for 3 months what would have happened if I went. I felt I missed out on a once in a lifetime chance, until I was in Targets with my parents and I was approached again. This is the funny part, it was the same guy, and he didn't even remember me! He told my parents he wanted me to model. My mom was like well we're trying to get her in college. He said, "Mam, this will pay for college".
My mom and dad said we would consider it. I was so happy, I had another chance until I discovered my parents said that just to get him to go away. Again I got the same card. So I decided to check out the site again to show my parents.
In the process we came across all these complaints about TCT. It's ashame that they deprive people's dreams and hopes like that. I'm just so happy we came across these complaints before we gave in. I'm also saddened because they lead me to think I was beautiful, when really all they would have wanted was my parent's hard earned money.
I just wondered how many people did he approach that he couldn't remember me. Why didn't he have his own business cards? Maybe he is just as clueless as I was. True nothing drastic happened to me but I'm just apalled by the whole thing. I am only 18 but I do know that you do not toy with people's feelings and emotions like that.
I appreciate all those people who shared those experiences and stories. It has helped me not to have made a huge mistake. I spent many days wondering and have lost sleep wondering. ButI don't have to wonder anymore... I know I am beautiful and special, and I don't need a modeling scout to tell me so.
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