11.8K views
New Reviewer
182 comments

well I had been thinking about getting into acting or modeling. I sent out my picture to a few of the local talent agencies. The very next day I recieved an email from john casablancas. The email said they were currently looking for new models or potential actors and that I should contact them immediately. The very same day they called my cell phone. I dont know how they got my number, but I was excited that an agency had interest in me so quickly. They said they wanted me to come the very next day for an audition. I was so excited I couldnt refuse. It seemed like just the opportunity I was looking for.

So the next day I got all nervous thinking it was going to be a bigtime audition. When I got in there nobody was at the desk. Then finally this trashy looking lady came up to the desk and didnt even acknowledge me. She picked up the phone and totally ignored me. I was expecting for them to be waiting on me to get there. Then finally she hung up the phone and told me to sign in. Apparantly I wasnt the only one auditioning. I filled out a couple forms and she gave me a 5 sentance script that I was supposed to practice. I said "thats it?! seems really short?". At the top of the page it said "for ages 12+". I am 25 years old. So I waited for fifteen minutes and in the meantime about 20 people showed up for the audition. Most of them were little kids and their parents. So since I was first to get there I was first in line to go through the "audition". So first they lead me over to a "photo room" which was basically nothing but an empty room with a backdrop and a table in it. A "professional photographer" was going to take a few shots of me. I was suprised when she pulled out the camera and didnt even use a tripod. She then told me to get into a very odd pose and took 4 pictures. They looked like something I could have done at home.

Next quickly I was rushed to the second room. In this room was a cheap wooden runway and they were playing cheap britney spears music in the background. I sat there and practiced my script with all the other people until the "agent" came in. She was accompanied by two other young sleezy looking girls that were supposedly a professional movie director, a runway model, and a *** black guy that was supposedly a model also but his face looked like rocky road. So at this point I was suspicious, but the thought of my dreams coming true were too strong to have any doubt about anything. So they told me to first walk the runway, which I did. Then they had me read the script, which I did an amazing job at. So everyone else did the same thing and after everybody was done, she said that there would be people who wouldnt be called back. She said that they would need me to come back the very next day to discuss starting a modeling career. I was so excited.

So the very next day I went back and they still hardly even knew my name. The "agent" took me in her office and was very nice talking to me. She started talking about all the possibilities I could have, everything I could become, and how much money i was going to make. I got so excited that they were interested in "investing in me". But then she started talking about I would need to take classes before they could start marketing me and making money. I then found out that this would be a 10 month process and the course would end up costing $2200. She said that if I wanted to get started in my career that I would need to go and get $340 out of my bank account to get the registration and pay for books/supplies. I told her I just didnt have all that money. Then she said I could just pay $100 to get the registration done, and I could pay the other $240 on the day of the first class. Foolishly I agreed and paid her $100 cash. I didnt like the idea of paying her, but I though it would eventually pay off in the long run if I could find some good modeling jobs. My parents told me they were scamming me, but I couldnt accept that possibility.

After thinking about it I got online and did a search. I didnt even get the whole name typed in before "john casablancas scam" popped up in the search field. So I clicked on it and my dreams suddenly fell through the roof. I saw about a hundred scam stories. I immediately felt cheated and realized that everything my parents had said was true. I couldnt feel any stupider in my whole life. So today I went right up there and as soon as I walked in the office the "agent" said "let me guess you changed your mind?". She already knew what I was there for like she had already seen it a million times. I told her I wanted to cancel the contract. She said I would have to make it in writing so I took a piece of paper and wrote it down. She said that they had already took my money and made in into a cashiers check paying john casablancas. So then I would have to wait up to 45 days before I would recieve a refund from the corporate office. I asked her why because I had just given her the money not even 24 hours ago. She said it was because they dont keep any cash in the office at any time. She told me that I "completely wasted her time yesterday", and seemed like she wanted to argue with me or something about it. I dont even know this lady, I just wanted to cancel it and get out. So she made a copy of the cancellation letter and gave it to me, then said "goodbye". I never felt so cheated and violated in my whole life. Im just glad I got out before I gave them any more money, and that I cancelled the contract within the unusually short 3 day period so they cant keep my money. As long as the money comes in ill be fine, but if it doesnt come within 45 days im going to file a lawsuit. I dont care if it is just $100 dollars. A REAL modeling agency sent me an email yesterday and wants to speak with me soon. I did a full background check on them. So that makes me feel better. I will become something one day. JOHN CASABLANCAS IS A COMPLETE SCAM!!!! DO NOT EVER SPEND ONE SINGLE DIME THERE!!!!!! I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE JOHN CASABLANCA!!!!

Reason of review: Bad quality.

Location: Hermitage, Tennessee

Do You Have Something To Say ?
Write a review

Comments

chat-icon

Please avoid publishing any personal information and promotional content

You will be automatically registered on our site. Username and password will be sent to you via email.
Post Comment
Guest

This company is a racket they have unemployed actors who are not getting anything from the producers be at TV screen or stage so they hired these people so that they can get their cut and make a fool out of people that are new to the business what an actor or actress is not getting anything they called it Liberty which means that out of work so they go into places like John Casablancas Barbizon or other agencies to make a fool out of the American public each and every day and if they're not doing that they're writing children's books or being teachers to teach you how to act and model remember do not give in to these people if they're agents you're not supposed to pay them you do not pay an agent or a casting director these are actors that I drank getting work in the business so they make a fool out of the American public each and every day

Guest

100% true . Like an *** I paid 2150 and an still waiting on the refund John Casablancas is garbage

Guest

What agency was it because casablanca contacted me already I haven't given them any money but I was wondering what agency contacted you because I still wanna model

Guest

Hello! Ok, so I am currently going to John Casablancas.

I just started the other day. Lance my director told me I did wonderful on my runway and commercial. He is working on currently getting me in to do a commercial on actual television. I also work for them.

They have me working as a sponsor so I can pay for my classes that way. I love this place. They have me placed in the plus size ladies. They have working hard with me and I really appreciate it.

Please do not bash them. They are not scams!

I am represented by Model Talent Management of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Thank you!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1134167

Wow! Sounds like an employee leaving a good review to discredit all the bad ones.

If she is so happy with them, why didn't she sign her real name to this post? People BEWARE!!!

Guest

***, i had the exact same interview...

Guest

Do you have to pay for anything on the first audition?

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1010316

No you do not.

Guest

*** that agency they got me for almost1000 dollars and I only went to two classes they charge you without you knowing they are straight trifling and need to be locked up all of the scammers I want my money back *** that anyone else with me it's payback time

Guest

One huge question did you get your money back I have them 470 & I'm waiting for it back

Guest

I just went there yesterday and as soon as all the information was done. Snap!

She went write into the contract and money.Thank God we did not pay!! JOHN CASABLANCA IS A SCAM!!!!!WATCH OUT!!!!!!!

Guest

sweetheart I am in the Casablanca program and I am doing pretty well these little scam stories are lies. I am graduating in febuary and I will be in the agency and going on auditions. so u shouldn't have listened to your parents or the internet because they are lying.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-918941

I am starting out in the entertainment industry. If you go to an audition and they talk about money and say you have to pay all this then it's a scam.

I have an amazing agent. The first thing agents do is see your talent. Make sure you are serious and responsible with your time life and money. No agent with ask you to pay money upfront.

Agents get money from you only when you get jobs. If an agent is going to even take interest in you then you won't be needing classes. Before going to an agent to become an actress or model you will have already needed to be trained and know what your doing. Agents won't come to you like that.

You go to them. Or if they see you in a film then they would come to you.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-976497

Who is your agent??? I feel that if you have the talent, YOU don't have to pay!! Simple as that - I took my daughter to the Cincinnati location and felt the scam as soon as we sat down, and then when we got home, I started doing my homework - yes, she has a "second audition" that we aren't bothering with -

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1086767

you Pay for the training and to attended the classes plus your daughter has slim chances of finding work by herself and jc just helps with that

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-918941

Nina Nina, who is lying to whom? I think you are an employee of this trashy place and are trying to defuse all the bad press you are getting with this lame attempt at building up this place.

I too, went to a school like this for broadcasting. And, I graduated! I am still after 17 years, looking for a job in the industry and lost nearly $7,000 to them. So don't try and say this school is not preying on people who want to make it big in your industry?

Why are there so many flags against Casablancas with the BBB? And, so you know what that is Nina, that stands for the Better Business Bureau. There are so many flags there against your school! Who is lying to whom?

I say that more outweigh the few in this case. So take that *** your shovelin' and fertilize my lawn with it! You can say you are graduating. That is part of these elaborate schemes to defraud.

A scam looks more credible to those it is being aimed at when words like; success, graduation, and career placement are all included in the interview process. All I can say to all of you is BUYER BEWARE!

Guest

What agency did you wind up going through?

Guest

I had found them online and filled out the form and every thing ,the next morning the called me and told me to come in the next day for an " audition " and they would see if i need classes or not .If not then they would put me to "work"should i go ? because im really looking for agencies that will take a teen with braces.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-837592

I went to my yesterday

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-837592

they take anybody I wish u the best of luck because they areb doing great with me and they will with you too braces or not

View more comments (162)

John Casablancas Modeling Reviews

  1. 28 reviews
  2. 4 reviews
  3. 1 review
  4. 0 reviews
  5. 5 reviews
John Casablancas Modeling reviews