Calgary families spend to pursue dreams of Disney stardom, receive uncertainty

Aspiring stars await their chance to perform for the Model and Talent crew on Sunday at the Coast Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre

Several parents are questioning the legitimacy of a self-described ‘commercial networking company’ following weekend auditions at a hotel in northeast Calgary that ended with promises and fees.

An estimated 1,300 families attended Model and Talent’s casting call after radio advertisements indicated it would connect talented children with careers in the entertainment business.

“We came to this audition and I tried out,” said aspiring actress Ellery Evans “She gave me a callback saying we want to see you again on Sunday.”

“It made me feel like these people see potential in me, that I am star quality. It got me really excited.”

The company’s enticing sales pitch included actress Jennifer Veal, star of the Disney television show Jessie, and other household names and current Hollywood projects. The fine print in Model and Talent’s brochures indicates the company is not affiliated with the pictured celebrities.

Veal, who plays Agatha on Jessie, was not discovered by Model and Talent.

Successful candidates received callbacks for a second audition complete with thousands of dollars in fees.

“That’ a red flag right off the bat,” explains Gerry Evans, Ellery’s father. “That's why we said absolutely not, we're not going to pay any money for anything when we don't know what we're going to get out of it.”

In an email to CTV Calgary, a representative from the Model and Talent legal department says the company is a “commercial networking service designed to assist those seeking opportunities in modeling, acting, or other careers within the entertainment industry to get internet exposure, networking resources and tools to match their talent with available listings of auditions and casting calls.”

The Model and Talent disclaimer on the company’s websites and brochures indicates the company is not an employment agency, school, performing arts academy, management company or a talent agencyand it does not guarantee work to its clients. According to Model and Talent's website, the company is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ellery Evans says she will not allow her experiences with Model and Talent to end her love of performing, but she does offer advice to other children who may audition for the company.

“They’ll take your headshot and they’ll post it on the internet. You might as well sing and dance on YouTube.”

According to consumer organizations, families of aspiring child performers should pursue reputable talent agencies that don’t charge until the child lands a paying gig. Reputable agencies seldom advertise casting calls on television, radio or online.

With files from CTV's Bridget Brown