Better Business Bureau Warning About Child Talent, Modeling Screenings

The Better Business Bureau has issued a warning to the St. Louis area about a talent and modeling agency that has held screening events in St. Charles and Chesterfield in the past two years, resulting in several consumer complaints.

In a press release, BBB president and CEO Michelle Corey said,“This business advertises extensively on St. Louis radio, making it appear that it holds some kind of magic key to unlock the door to fame and fortune. Unfortunately, that may not be the case.”

The BBB warnings about The (pronounced “Tay”), a trade name for New York Studio, Inc., urge consumers to exercise caution in dealing with the agency, which is scheduled to hold interviews and preliminary talent and modeling screenings this weekend at the Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel downtown.

“I wanted to do something special for my grandkids,” said a grandmother from East Alton, Ill., who said her family paid more than $4,700 to the business last summer. “It’s heartbreaking.” Consumers have also said that they were misled into thinking the agency was affiliated with Disney, that they were pressured into signing contracts and that they were not told that $1000 of their deposits to the agency were not refundable.

The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips for families interested in pursuing modeling and acting careers for their children:

• Be careful about any requests for up-front payments in the form of registration, consultation or administrative fees.
• Understand that this is a very competitive business and a paid seminar or event may not be the best way to get agents and others to notice your child.
• Be wary of any promises of guaranteed employment or high earnings.
• Be cautious of companies that try to convince you to pay money by throwing out names of known celebrities, motion picture studios or recording companies.
• Check for BBB Business Reviews at www.bbb.org or by calling 314-645-3300.