BARBIZON: Dateline NBC’s Scathing Expose
April 13, 2009 by Sean Kelly
Filed under Business
Dateline NBC aired a scathing undercover report on Barbizon Modeling and Acting Centers and paid modeling talent showcases like the IMTA’s New York convention. 
View Matt Lauer’s interview with Chris Hanson, which includes excerpts from the Dateline NBC report, complete with undercover camera footage.
The show features an interview with a father who spent more than $30,000 with Barbizon and the International Modeling & Talent Association, which holds a convention that helps young would-be models, actors, and actresses become discovered by top talent scouts.
The father recounts how he was paid Barbizon more than $3000 per girl for modeling lessons, $4700 per girl for them to attend the “exclusive” IMTA convention, and $2800 for his wife to accompany them to New York (among other expenses). Throughout the process, Barbizon allegedly pumped up the egos and hopes of the children and parents with fake praise and the promise of lucrative modeling, recording and acting contracts.
The most interesting – and damning – parts of the Dateline NBC report are the undercover segments featuring their planted participant being praised for her mediocre (at best) performance, and the Barbizon employee explaining how they accept and advance everyone, no matter how little potential, as long as they pay.
The head of the Elite modeling agency emphasizes that legitimate agencies do not charge or require a fee to review potential models. In fact, all one has to do is email them pictures to be reviewed. And they won’t charge them a cent; but of course they won’t tell children or their parents what they want to hear.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
LOGO: Barbizon
While this expose by Dateline, NBC, is interesting, this is not the SAME as the deceit and “fraud” in franchising that starts at the big TRADE shows that go on throughout the country and the world.
Why doesn’t NBC, Dateline, do something REALLY useful and look at the deceitful manner in which franchises are sold in this country, as well as at government regulatory policy and Internet Policy that permits franchisors to sell unviable and unprofitable franchises to the public and emotionally and financially destroy innocents –with immunity under our laws?
But, would big media touch the franchising scandal and fraud that we have today that favors BIG CORPORATE? Probably not! Big Corporations watch out for other big corporations. Maybe Public Television would take it on but they can’t afford to offend their doners, many of whom are probably small and big franchisors.
This Barbizon model deceit is directed at people who are willing to risk “discretionary” money for their future, or, as, in this case, the parents, who were willing to put up this money thinking that this would help their daughters to get careers as models. The Mom and Dad loved the girls and wanted to help them along and could afford to help them, apparently. But these people didn’t lose their homes or their life savings as so often is the case in franchising.
Franchising deceit is different and particularly ugly because it is aimed at innocents who are looking for a way to make a living and to support their families and the one-unit Mom and Pop franchisees are not using discretionary money, generally, that they can afford to lose. They are using their own savings and homes and 401’s, etc.. as collateral to borrow to become self sufficient, to become self-employed, and to support themselves and their children.
Franchisors take advantage of their need and lie, cheat, and steal, as needed, to feed their bottom lines and they do it under cover of government regulation. You’d think that some network would think that this was a big story that would be product that they could sell to the public, wouldn’t you?
its the parents fault, the truth is if your kids are ugly, deal with it
open your eyes…this was a slander againt Barbizon (founded in 1939) a 70 year old company that belives in young women…The director (Neal Hamil) of Elite agency never mentioned that Elite agency was founded by John Casablanca who also founded John Casablanca modeling and acting centers this school patterend their business plan after Barbizon in 1979. Barbizon is John Cassablanca’s biggest competitor. Barbizon is up 70% in a bad economy not only in enrollment , but with success storys of many models and actors that have graduated from barbizon. This was delibrately aired to hurt Barbizon for the benifit of another training center. Dateline did not reserch this story or maybe they were paid to do this because Neal Hamil is also involved with NBC reality TV! Not one other traing center was mentioned and their are many accros the country that charge money for training. A matter of fact look up Neal Hamil he also owned a traing center himself that he chared aspiring models to attend.
this story is a total joke…one sided inaccurate info!!!the only agent appearing in the show was Neil Hamil of elite. what they forgot to mention was that elite has been at every imta convention scouting for the last 20yrs!! They have found a lot of their top models at imta. Also Neil Hamil got his start in this industry with his own chain of modeling schools!!!THis story also focused on high fashion models. they guy with the 2 girls neglected to mention that they did not go for modeling only acting and did not participate in any modeling competitions at imta!! Obviously those girls are not high fashion material and were directed by Barbizon to compete in acting. Barbizon has a foundation with confidence building and professional skills as well as modeling and acting. All barbizons are independently owned and operated. With any franchise you get the good and the bad. this show was misleading and no regard for the truth. shame on you chris hansen!!! go back to catching real predators.
I guess I am naive! I though it was a reporters job to cover BOTH sides! My daugther went thru Barbizon and LOVED it! The confidence and self esteem she got from her classes made her the successful law studetn she is today! No fear in her presentation style!!
During our time there the success stories from fellow classmates who DID want to register with the agency and keep moving forward, was astounding! Commercials, film work, print work.
I will NEVER watch this one sided show again!!
I posted this on another site:
I am not personally affiliated with Barbizon or IMTA in any way, although I have a friend who went through a Barbizon training center and attended an IMTA convention in LA (the Barbizon school she went to paid for her to attend, which apparently they do from time to time – she had no disposable income and desperately wanted to go… she tells me they told her she was a natural and had faith in her success there). After attending IMTA, she was signed by Elite Model Management and is currently living in LA, working as a model in print (she was just in Allure and the UK Vogue) and on the runway. As a matter of fact, they (Elite) flew her to New York for fashion week and have been flying her all over the country for various jobs. She is modeling full time and loves it. I’m kind of jealous actually. :) I thought maybe Barbizon was raking in something of her success, but she said that they aren’t making any money off of her. Anyway, I guess she knows a lot of people who have gone through IMTA or Barbizon and are currently working in “the industry” with nothing but good things to say about their experiences. She still keeps in contact with them (her Barbizon training center) to update them on her success.
Now, no doubt there are people who have had negative experiences, but you have that with every service or good you pay for. How many people do you know have doled out tens of thousands of dollars on a top-notch education and are currently working in retail or the food service industry with their degrees hanging on their walls collecting dust? I know quite a few. I did not attend a university because a) my father made too much money for me to be considered for financial aid and b) not enough money to send my siblings and I to university. I wasn’t really inclined to go to college anyway, so I’m not complaining, I’m just saying that there was nothing in particular that I wanted to study, so I felt that any further pursuit of a university education would have been ill conceived and put me into unnecessary debt.
Regarding the Elite rep that was interviewed in this “expose”… I find it funny he works for a company that was founded by John Casablancas. Their schools are considered scams or what have you, as well as JRP and I’m sure others. However, there was no mention of them in this story, or the fact that they also send hundreds of people to the IMTA convention.
Hey, I did my homework. Perhaps Dateline will hire an uneducated peon with no degree to her name as a research assistant for their upcoming stories. I’m all for exposing people who prey on the stupid and take advantage of their ignorance and lack of common sense to make a profit, but I like my opinionated diatribes to be factual and unbiased. Oh wait, that’s an oxymoron. :)
My name is Melody Woodin. I work full time as a fashion model in NYC, working for a plethora of designers from Saks.com to Christian Dior. I also shoot a wide range of fashion editorials here in NYC, and across the world. I have shot two televised TV commercials, nationally and internationally. Please google my name and see the range of work I have done. I say this not to brag, but to give credit to Barbizon of Philly and IMTA for discovering me and moving me in the right direction. They opened many doors for me, and for that I am extremely grateful. I would have exhausted my time, money, and good efforts attempting make the connections they made for me. IMTA gives you access to HUNDREDS of top names in the industry.. photographers, agencies, etc., all in one room. It is an unbelievable opportunity for someone with a REAL interest in this industry. As terrible as this will surely sound to some people, and truly I mean no offense, these corporations aren’t set up to give out honorable mentions. IMTA is a competition for legitimate upcoming models and actors, and Barbizon is the tool for those who wish to get there.
umm guys who do i beleive cuz i went to oneof there meetings and im not sure if i shuld sing up that cost alot..nd i met a famour model ther named michelle ross…nd idk help me out!! please email me i rilly need to kno this…plezz help!!
Well let’s see. I just got back from a MTA in Ma. This is the one you have to pay for and hopefuly someone likes you and you get noticed. I guess like with everything in life you have to have what they want at the time. The thing that bothers me is that my daughter figured out the scam. Don’t get me wrong I am not one of those mom’s who say they did not pick my daughter. On the contrary, she did get call backs. But as my daughter found out, the ones you would never ever look twice about had more praise than any one. It is the little things that make people stop and say, WOW. The hair and makeup, we had to pay $75.00 for, was horrible. They made my daughter look worse. Any day of the week my daughter has done better. Of course they tell you it would be beneficial to have it done. I say No! Do not pay the extra money, your daughter can and will do a better job. I never have anything horrible to say about anyone or anything, but it really upsets me that they allow this type of thing to go on, especially in this day and age. More and more parents are putting themselves into debt so that there kids can have more than them. So they can never want. And then we have them on the outside praying on that. It is such a shame.
My sister Linda carter lives in Jacksonville was scam by Babizon last year they talk her into putting up one thousdand for her to come out to calif and take classes and walk down the red carpert she got sick and couldn’t go through with it they wanted her money and wouldn’t give her down payment back and here she on a low income they build her hope up till they got her money so she been fighting this over a year now back and fouth .They need to nail theses people that are scaming people and theses young people to look out for your self when people call and make it sound good on the phone they told her it was i pace but she found out it was Babizon up in San Francisco she did a lot tacking theses people down it wasn’t even in Los Angles as her sister that lives here in L A I am mad how they con her I am glad she was smart to close her bank account out ad put her money some were else .If any one out ther call my sister Linda Rice at [del] Jacksonville Fla she wants to get a law suite going about this she heard about the Lionette family lawsuite wish she would call my sister if you read this .Thanks a sister that care about theses scam Pat Forrest, thank to Date line talking about this back in April
Hi im in a barbizon modeling school right now and im going to graduate this weekend, which is the day after tomorrow. i just saw this and dont know which side i should beleive. i am planing to go to the next IMTA in LA. if i have to pay any $ to go to LA then im not going. my mom and dad send me to barbizon is not bc they want me to be a model for my life career. i think all moms and dads shouldnt put all the hope on barbizon to make their kids famous. And i guess right now i can beleive anything i going to the next IMTA and i think i will findout myself…….
I totally agree !! This Dateline story was totally one-sided and very unfair. Our daughter’s runway shots were shown on 3 different shots, without our permission or her agent’s permission. I am on a mission to discover who supplied the film footage and also how Dateline did not research who they were picturing. She attended a local Barizon and competed at IMTA, read below:
4-13-09
To whom it may concern:
Our daughter was shown several times on a Dateline episode on Sunday, 4-12-09, which featured a negative story against Barbizon and the IMTA convention. Contrary to the story line of disappointment and scams, our daughter was discovered through a local Barbizon and did very well at IMTA (last IMTA attended in July 2008). Barbizon of Ardmore, Pennsylvania is the modeling school where she attended her classes.
Since attending IMTA, she has been signed in 4 countries. Has been modeling full time, signed in New York with a top 10 modeling agency, and has traveled to and modeled in Tokyo (4 separate trips to Tokyo), Paris, and currently in Singapore. She has done work for international and national magazines, advertising and has been on famous designer runways. All of this, by the age of 16.
Barbizon of Ardmore, Pennsylvania, has always treated our daughter and managed her career with the utmost level of professionalism that has always gone above and beyond expectations. The owner of Barbizon in Ardmore, Pennsylvania is our daughter’s mother agent who currently handles her travel schedule, world-wide agency placements and provides advice to us when needed, along with many other things to numerous to mention. She has always done what is the best for our daughter and has never given us any bad advice or would ever do so. Our daughter would not be doing what she is doing today if it not for Barbizon of Ardmore and IMTA! She had a terrific time attending IMTA, met a lot of great friends and met with agents from all over the world that are still inquiring for her to sign with them currently. It was at IMTA that Elite saw her and signed her along with many other top ten agencies that are still currently interested.
I have to keep our name anonymous for many reasons but can assure that our decision to use Barbizon and attend IMTA was very positive. There truly are success stories that exist, as we are one of those stories. It is very sad that our daughter had to be shown on national television in such a negative story, as we 100% disagree with the broadcasted show. While perhaps it is a fact there is a small percentage that will get signed or work as models, it can and does happen, we are proof that it really can!
BULLLLL**** UR PROBABLY JUST A BARBIZON EMPLOYEE ACTING LIKE A MOTHER YEA SHUT AND GO LIE TO SOME OTHER KIDS ,U DONT CARE ABOUT THEM ANYWAYS !!!
You are probably from Barbizon! Idiot.
HOW MAY TIMES A MONTH DID YOUR DAUGHTER TAKE THESE CLASSES ?
WELL FOR ME IT WAS TWICE A MONTH FOR 6 MONTHS AND THE COST WAS OVER 2,OOO$
WHICH PRETTYY MUCH MEANS I HAD TO PAY 368 FOR EACH CLASS ! RIP OFF THEY TAUGHT ME STUPID THINGS AND MAYBE ITS BECAUSE HE INSTRUCTURES DONT KNOW ANYTHING THEY ARE DOING BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD TO MAKE UP THEIR OWN WAYS OF TEACHING,WHICH APPARENTLY MY INSTRUCTURE SUCKED AT! I FELT LIKE A BABY WHEN IM ACTUALLY 17 AND SHOULDNT WASTE MY TIME ON A STUPID KIDDIE (MODELING ?) CIRCUS WHERE IN THE END U LEARNED THINGS YOU COULD HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE.
You are an idiot Jesse. I can vouch for the letter, believe it or not. Why don’t you calm down a little bit. These pages are set up to create conversation and debate, no need to act like an jackass. Try and be a little civilized.
To Jessie:
So sorry you feel that way ! I am not a Barbizon employee of any kind. My
story is 100% true and not false in any sense. I WOULD NEVER LIE TO ANY CHILD
NOR WOULD EVER ACT THAT I DON’T CARE ABOUT ANY CHILD.
I have attended 2 IMTA’s with my daughter and supported the entire Barizon/Philadelphia team while there.
I had the terrific experience of traveling to Tokyo and Paris with my daughter recently, all due to Barbizon and IMTA for getting her signed and helping her to become a professional full time working model.
Not everyone that attends any modeling school or convention is going to just simply “get discovered”. The business itself is not that easy, it takes an awful lot of support from the right people, the committment from the model or actor to be away from home and thier families while living out of suitcases
and wondering where the money for their next meal is going to come from etc…. etc…. I could go on and on, but your opinion is out of anger from
something that personally must have happened to you from a bad experience.
I do not appreciate you telling me to shut up – I will not. I have nothing to
shut up about, I only speak the truth.
I know of Meloy Woodin personally, who commented to you also. She attended the exact same Barbizon as my daughter. Melody is a HUGE success story, that if
my daughter can keep moving forward in the business and follow Melody’s path, we will be very fortunate and excited.
I would suggest to you, find another avenue into the business if it is what
desire to do, instead of slamming negative comments randomly to people are
happy with their decision to go to Barbizon and IMTA.
Take a deep breath, now hit CAPS LOCK.. There you go.
ok starting out id like to let everyone know i personaly went thru the entire barbizon program. It is a rip off. They claim they are going to teach u things that u should know…do they…hell no! There were people in those classes with me that had no chance at all getting a real working job with anyone not to be mean but its very very true. I have gotten several jobs but not thru this company. They make u pay all this money and in return u get nothing. all that is in these classes is just teaching u how to do things u probably if u have common sense already know. Its the most lame thing i have ever done and i am highly disappointed. I got accepted to imta and they wanted me to pay almost 4 grand just go to up there. And if u dont pay ur in for it bc they bitch bitch bitch til they get what they want. If ur smart ull listen and not put ur child or urself thru something like this. And the video was right…IT COSTS NOTHING TO SUBMIT A PHOTO TO AN AGENT. At least u know ur getting the actual agent when u do it this way. Do it the barbizon way and u get old hag wanna be talent. Hope u understand and listen to me…U WILL GET RIPPED OFF!!!
“umm guys who do i beleive cuz i went to oneof there meetings and im not sure if i shuld sing up that cost alot..nd i met a famour model ther named michelle ross…nd idk help me out!! please email me i rilly need to kno this…plezz help!!”
Tiffany:
Seriously, you should take the money you are thinking about investing with Barbizon and put it toward “Hooked On Phonics.”
Barbizon is the best!! I am a student their and have learned real life skills! It is fun I love it! I am so glad my friend got me into modelling for Barbizon! BTW JESSIE! YOUR A JEALOUS OLD WITCH!
HI Melody,
I have met you in the past. My daughter has had dinner with you several
times in NYC in the past, with Susan. I am leaving my daughter’s name out
of my blog, but I think you are sure who I am.
I wish you continued success, as we have followed your career for several
years. LOVE your commercial for Loreal that is on TV right now too.
We are so very thankful for Susan, the Barizon of Philadelphia and IMTA
for giving our daughter a chance in a million. This entire story is so
unfair, which is the only reason I spoke out in the first place. Our
daughter has been in Singapore for 2 months, and will be arriving in Tokyo
the end of next week for 2 months, all of this would not be possible if
it not for Susan @ Barbizon – Philadelphia and IMTA. It was very fortunate
that we met the correct people that have proven to move her career
forward with agency placements etc… look at all it has done for you!
Good luck submitting that photo.. Agents receive thousands upon thousands of emails a day, full of girls who are ready and willing to throw themselves into the modeling industry. You better have a really good image if you want to make any type of impression on the intern who’s job it is to find a needle in a haystack.
“You better have a really good image if you want to make any type of impression…”
Yes, make sure you impress them with pictures of you and your Barbizon credentials (such as cancelled checks). To be safe, write “Sucker” on your forehead with permanent marker.
By the way, Melody, loved your spread in Vogue this month. And you were my favorite swimsuit model in Sports Illustrated. I bet Barbizon is paying top dollar for your supermodel endorsement! Impressive!