New Talent Management

To Whom It May Concern:

When I was 14 years old (I am 25 now), like many young girls I had aspired to be a model.

My mother had a close friend who was a photographer and said he would do a photo shoot for me for free.

The pictures came out great and our next step was to find an agency or someone to get me work.

We saw an ad in the paper for New Talent Management - 590 Route 70, Brick, NJ 08723 (732) 477-3355. They claimed to be a management agency for actors and models.

My mother brought me there and I was interviewed by a man who thought I was the best thing since sliced bread, or so he made it seem.

We were told that he would have to give my information to some of his colleagues, and he would get back to me if they were interested.

About two days later, we got a call back saying they were interested.

So we went back with my portfolio from the photographer that I used prior, but we were told that the photos were not what they wanted, and that we would need to use their photographer.

These were professional photos that we had; they came out beautifully. That should have been a red flag, but we continued to fall for their crap.

Next they said that I would need modeling school before we used their photographer, and that they had a modeling school conveniently located next door.

In short, my mom ended up paying $1,500 for me to attend this stupid school, which was taught by people who were once "models" for this "agency."

I was supposed to receive a certificate, but never received one, and I was supposed to start getting work.

Well, I was called back for one modeling job, but here is the kicker: the woman who interviewed me for the job was the director of the agency!

It was a bogus interview; there was no modeling job.

We never heard from these people again.

I thought that no one wanted me as a model and it hurt my self-esteem.

But I am older now, have my own photographer, all my own pictures that I send out, and I market myself.

I have been taking small modeling jobs, but I sent pictures to some people, and recently received the good news that in two weeks I am doing a photo shoot for a popular east coast magazine.

The magazine is supplying the photographer and it doesn't cost anything.

I know this New Talent Management is still in business, and I know that they do not offer any jobs. They trick you into going to modeling school, and then they trick you into believing that they will find you work.

I wish we would have known more about the business back then, because I would have saved my mom a lot of money.

I know there is nothing I can do about it now, but maybe if you post this, other people can be spared the trouble of going there and having their dreams crushed and wallet emptied.

P.T.