How Did John Robert Powers Get My Information?

Question

I just recently got a phone call from John Robert Powers saying that they wanted me to audition for their company. They called on my wife's cellphone, which no one really has, and I told them I never filled out anything saying I wanted to be an actor, neither did my wife. They had all of my info, all the way down to my weight. So I told them I wasnt interested, but I have 3 kids that would probably have a better chance, and took them to an audition. To make a long story short, they only wanted 1 of my kids and said that we have to pay money upfront for him to take these classes. Is this a scam? How did they get my information??

Answer 1

John Robert Powers is a modeling/acting school system. They are not an agency, but unlike Barbizon or John Casablanca, they will actually promote you to agents, managers, and casting directors.

I got signed with two agents in Florida and did some work. Because they offer classes and promotional services there will be an upfront fee, and of coarse they can't promise you anything. Only do it if your kids are serious about it, otherwise it'll be a waste of money. They do have connections that can help, but don't expect anything to happen quickly. As a former student and promotions director, we'd get people sign reference cards about there neighbors or fellow students or coworkers, so you never know who referred you.

Answer 2

My initial thought is that if it was a scam, they would tell you that they liked all three of your kids.

My advice would be to get the persons name and other identifying information and then call John Robert Powers yourself and ask if they have so-and-so working for them. Explain the situation and see what they have to see.

From what I gather, John Robert Powers is a bit like Barbizon was. Acting, modeling, make-up, body movement, posture, etc.

If it is all on the up-and-up, then yes, I would assume you would have to pay money up front for the classes. At least, my parents did when I did Barbizon years ago.

Before you sign up for anything, though, I would highly recommend going in to talk to them and see what the training would entail, maybe even ask if you could sit in on a few classes to see what they're really about.

As for getting your information, who knows how any of these companies get any of our information. I'm always amazed at the calls I get. There's probably some obscure database out there somewhere.

Answer 3

Both 1 and 2 have clues. If you truly believe you NEVER signed your name to anything solicitous, then at the very least believe that LISTS are bought and sold by the millions.

Certainly PAYING upfront is part of the process, just like hooking up with an AGENT.

I offer this other analogy. Publishers Clearing House. I have to believe that millions have considered the DREAM of the VAN pulling up in front of "their" house with the Million Dollar Check, and very likely, actually "bought" magazines, in an attempt to increase their chances.

So many other analogies might apply, such as "you get what you PAY for"

With no offense to you or others who answer, I admit I detest parents who PUSH their children into situations that might not be any more than a Parent Ego thing.

Steven Wolf

Answer 4

Funny, the EXACT same thing happened to me. But I don't have kids and they said I emailed them a year ago. Which I certainly did not.

I went to one of their auditions.... Its the biggest scam I ever saw.
If they want you in their "school" they charge THOUSANDS of dollors upfront immeadiatly. People have successfully sued the 'school' for variois reasons. They pretty much promise that all their students will become famous and all of their success stories are fake. Well they are true but none of them went to the school.

The person who invewied me was SO NICE up untill we declined. Then she turned into this witch who was trying to convince me to buy their "classes". Before the interveiw was a boreing two hour speech about their fake success stories. They didn't even mention the teachers, curriculum, or when the classes are!

My advice is... stay away... stay very far away from jrp.... it doesn't even deserve my capitalization.

Answer 5

John Robert Powers is not a modeling agency. They are "barely" a school. They prey on people that have cute kids and try to get parents to pay thousands of dollars for "modeling lessons." They are similar to Barbizon.

Legitimate Modeling Agencies NEVER ask for money. Legitimate modeling agencies get a commission from models once they start to earn money as a model.

As for how they got your information, perhaps a friend took a child to JR Powers and they were asked for names and phone numbers of friends that have children that could be a model.

Unless you live in NYC you will only run into modeling scams. Be careful. Go to bbb.org to learn more about Barbizon and John Robert Powers.

Answer 6

They called me too. I asked them where they got my information also. I just wanted to know who I had to beat up. If they contact you again the most appropriate response consists of two words.
What they're doing is wrong but it's not illegal. Forget about how they got your information and forget about them altogether. Glad you had the sense to check things out first. I am a professional actor in L.A. I see people get taken in all the time. Tell your kids their old man is smart and they should listen to him.