Origanally posted January 16, 2012 @8:40 pm…
UPDATE: January 17, 2010…
Ms. Bailey seems to be having problems with sites that are reporting inaccuracies re the Bailey Agency model search. I certainly hope that Ms. Bailey is not referring to SH and this post from yesterday.
I have requested Ms. Bailey to point out any inaccuracies… am waiting for a response.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Cynthia Bailey is launching a five-city model search…here.
“I feel like the South has less access to the possibilities of getting discovered by scouts,” Cynthia said recently. “It was very difficult for me getting discovered. I really didn’t have a lot of information about the business, and I definitely didn’t have any real access to figure out how to get into the business.”
The search for young talent (ages 13 and up) will begin in Cynthia’s hometown of Birmingham, AL before moving on to Charlotte, NC, Nashville, TN, Jackson, MS, New Orleans, and back to Atlanta.
NOTE: Cynthia is really interested in finding and helping young modeling talent… isn’t that great???
“It’ll be a two-day seminar,” Cynthia says about her model search format. “The first day will be the model search. For that day, we’re just looking for someone who has the look of what it takes to be a model. The second day is the seminar process, and they will get an opportunity to talk to industry professionals—photographers, bookers, agents, hairstylists, makeup artists.”
One finalist from each city will compete in Atlanta for the ultimate prize: a $10,000 cash reward, a contract with a model agency, and a photo shoot with celebrity photographer Derek Blanks. “If I hadn’t had the ambition and the courage to leave my little, small city in Alabama and go to New York City, I think my life would have been very different,” Cynthia admits. “I know that one choice led me to where I’m at right now.”
Here’s the deal… Cynthia is giving hope to these teen-aged would-be models and their parents. For a price… $418.62! Let’s add in transportation, meals and hotel; and the kid and her parent(s) are looking at $1,500 at least…
OH, let’s not forget the photographer! These kids usually don’t walk around with a portfolio, and all models need photos… so Cynthia will have a “professional” photographer on hand… probably another $1,000 to add.
You can choose from the above menu… prices from $25.63 (and don’t forget that “fee”) to $199…
Registration info… here.
After collecting these fees from the six-city search…
Model Search 2012 cities and dates are as follows:
January 2012 – Birmingham, AL
February 2012 – Charlotte, NC
March 2012 – Nashville, TN
April 2012 – Jackson, MS
April 2012 – New Orleans, LA
May 2012 – Atlanta, GA
…and being judged by a panel including Usher’s ex-wife, Tameka… ONE potential teen model will get $10,000 cash….
NOTE: These “model searches” go on ALL THE TIME. There are parents who will pay anything to see their child considered as modeling material. Parents want to see their children happy and these modeling searches prey on that emotion. Cynthia’s model search falls right into the model-money-making scheme.
If your child wants to model, send photos to established, legitimate NYC agencies, casting agents and/or production companies. They will look at the photos and tell you immediately if your child (or you) have modeling potential. Legitimate modeling agencies NEVER ask for money… and do NOT require you to pay for training.
Listen to what Cynthia herself said: “If I hadn’t had the ambition and the courage to leave my little, small city in Alabama and go to New York City…”
NOTE: Years ago, SH was approached in a department store and was on the runway within a week. I had no photos… no portfolio. Photos were taken, but SH never had to put out one dime for anything associated with my modeling career! Any ‘agency’ or modeling ‘school’ requiring payment from you to ‘learn the ropes’ or promises you that the money you paid the agency/school will give you an edge in getting a modeling job just want your money… it’s as simple as that. If you are ever in that situation… RUN!
Terrible copy writing, awkward quotes by Cynthia. Is it a cash ‘reward,’ or a cash prize? “I feel like the South has less access to the possibilities of getting discovered by scouts,” Cynthia said recently. Is it the South that has less access, or people in the south? Getting discovered? She needs to hire a professional to write up her pr materials. No excuse for incoherence.
I like when she was trying to Emcee and she said there was big words that she didn’t understand, she was doing the head interview when she was saying ‘tenacious”
They have these schools everywhere. They usually don’t charge you until after you get picked. Then they sign you up for the school. I went with my girls. The truth is if they have any potential they don’t charge anything but make you sign a contract to represent you. Not a smart move.
I suppose Cynthia and Peter need additional funding to support their lifestyle – this screams rip off.
Will the HWs stop at nothing to make money? I guess Cyn doesnt want to sell shoes,underware jewlery so she came up with another way to make money off the show. I got it. They all went into this to make money. What I hate, are the ones who try and make it sound like they are being charitable by offering such wonderful gifts to us poor stay at home HW. Its like the rest of us real housewives should feel we can be just like they are if we buy or wear something they came up with. Frankly I would rather stick with my walmart tennis shoes and my twenty dollar watch then buy something they have and become just like them……Fake,drunks, addicts and married to men I wouldnt trust with my babysitter…..
I will probably still be on crutches for the NOLA stop, but I wish I could show up in MeGo’s hot pink fat suit & whole get-up.
I am furious after reading this, this women is scamming people for money. Young girls/boys will be putting pressure on their parents to enter thinking they have a chance to become a model. No legit model agency charges their clients in fact it even states that on their websites. My brother is a model for Elite, they scouted him on the street and he never paid one penny to get photographs taken etc. This should be illegal.
gertie: Thank you… looks like Cynthia is running a lil scam. And, she brought in “judges”… for what??? If she wants a “legitimate” modeling agency, this is not the way to do it. TFC!! SH
I would agree that this is another scam produced by another Housewife…. However, Cynthia is just too dumb for words and I’m not convinced she is smart enough to pull this off alone, maybe this is where her a Peter comes in…..?????
Cynthia please! You model for the plus size catalog Woman Within! glad you still have work …no shame in that..but it’s not necessarily a prestigious brand either…
I agree it’s the same ‘ol “I can make you a model, but first you have to buy my photos and attend my school” scam. The rule of thumb is: If they want you, they’ll sign you; you pay NOTHING–for composites, portfolio, NOTHING.
Ms SH~ Is the “all inclusive early bird special” an ALTERNATIVE to the above two items? It seems like it might be. If so, it looks like Cynthia needs some up-front cash to get this event rolling.
Who else is gonna teach Housewife-wannabes to pout and pose with their hands on hips for Facebook photos? Or look off to the side while snapping their Twitter pictures? We should be thanking Cynthia for bringing artificial beauty and fake posing to the masses!
If I didn’t know better I would say this was a way for Peter to meet young women—errrr, or men! He can give ‘modeling lessons’ on how to stay thin by smoking crack……
I am one of the big dummies who like Cynthia… but DAMN! Back to my cave I go.
cynthia just won my vote for stoopidest housewife 2012. i like cynthia, but seriously, come on! brought to you by the PETER THOMAS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP…exactly :/
sara: Glad you caught that! LOL!!! TFC!! SH
Dear Cynthia,
Love,
Mabe
p.s gonna go vote for ya again.
lol!
Omg, BSL! I love your gravatar.
I just changed my gravatar and saw yours… Dayum (hangs head in shame)
I love Chemistry Cat! Would you like me to pull up a chair for you to join me and my friend?
Yaasss! Please?
Ooh, is there such a thing as Editor Cat?
I don’t know, but if not, you should.
Should what? If I’m being daft, forgive me!
You should start an Editor Cat.
Okay, but none of your chemistry stuff. We keep it light. The pool boy can get you some sunglasses before he mists you with sunscreen. I’ll be back later, time to flip sides.
Damn, I was just packing up my periodical table of elements… Gimmie a sec to unload.
MP, how about you bring your moon shine video…we’ll make some sort of fruit drink with it. I swear, though, if MT brings that periodic table, it is ooooonnnnnn!
You are so white, you are gonna burn. I hope you are bringing the SPF 250.
Poor Cynthia….I think Pheadra had it right with her comment about models are to be looked at not used for thinking. If Cynthia had paid someone to write this piece or even had someone (a professional) help with the whole project (there are organizations that help women start business for free), it would have been so much better. Instead the whole thing comes off cheep and not well thought out. Successful models get paid so much money and it sometimes make them think they know a lot more about business then they really do. I always thought of Cynthia as being top drawer, but this is just amateurish (I hope) or scummy.