Wilhelmina Philadelphia
Reviews and Complaints

Please disregard last post, my mistake.

Then your best friend is a thief, i ordered 3 dog collars on Sept 21, 2012 and my credit card was charged $110.00 on Sept 24, 2012. Every attempt to contact Tammy is useless obviously a scam, no other choice now but file a complaint with the Internet Crime Center.

Then your best friend is a thief, i ordered 3 dog collars on Oct 21, 2012 and my credit card was charged $110.00 on Oct 24, 2012. Every attempt to contact Tammy is useless obviously a scam, no other choice now but file a complaint with the Internet Crime Center.

Okay, I am sharing this because instead of half-A$$ed reports of this company I am going to give the full break down. From beginning to the end, for everyone to understand the process. At the end of this report I will have answered every single question.

Step one: I attended the Wilhelmina casting call. A lot of beautiful men
and woman there to audition (unless they were promotional actors) .
There was a runway show with very skilled models (?), and the director sat at the end taking notes after a brief talk about about her son being a successful model. After that there were acting auditions being held in a private room.

Step2: Sent home.So I got the news a day later, My child was accepted into the child modeling and acting division. There is a "marketing" fee of $1255, this includes marketing on their website and photographs oh and "training". So then the red flag went off. I asked the agent if I can use my own photographer...and she said yes just as long as they are professional photos, along with training. So then my red flag turned to greenish yellow. No problem, I know you have to pay for comp cards and portfolios but let me read the package further.

Step 3: Review and compare the contract package along with the others and see if this agency is the agency I would like to invest in for my child.

Step 4: Review MANDATORY fees before representation?
$95-One time messenger fee
$595-Photo Shoot (was told I can use my own)
$195 Composite Cards
$385/$285 Website Fee (understandable)
$60 Mandatory Orientation Meeting
Total: $2400 Adults and $1880 Children
$75 Professional Wilhelmina Portfolio Book
$370 Mandatory Photo movement Workshop
* $625 Acting workshop

Alot, aint it?

Step 5: Scratch your head and re-read the entire package to confirm that you read that all these fees are indeed required before representation.

Step 6: Send email, and get clarification on these mandatory fees. Because you do remember reading a FAQ which states : Do I have to pay a fee to be represented by Wilhelmina Philadelphia?
Absolutely NOT. The Agency receives commission on modeling or acting jobs booked. Please click the link to visit our FAQ's on our website: http://www.modelingpa.com/FAQ.php

Hello ****,

I have reviewed the package and have listed a few questions below:

1. Although you say no fees are required to be represented, under representation requirements it lists 4 paid requirements that must be met in order to be represented.
2. I am having photos and comp cards done here in **, will that affect the amount of auditions he goes on because we opted to get our own photos?
3. Mandatory Orientation Meeting: I HAVE to pay $60 for an orientation in order for him to be represented? (why in the world must anyone pay for a mandatory orientation, is this administrative fees?)
4. Photo movement Workshop: REQUIRED, in order for my son to be represented I have to pay for this ONE time workshop? Will my son remember what was learned in this one time workshop months from now if he doesn't get work within the next few months? (I may be able to understand if it were a one time fee for continuous training, or perhaps a recommendation from a casting director, but mandatory even for the most experienced model and actor)
5. What type of jobs do you suspect my son will be sent off for? (Umm, give me some motivation...examples, history, something!)
6. What type of "look" should we be going for in our photos? (Why pay all this money and you cant give me any advice as to how you are going to market this child)
7. Does local training suffice for the required training? (I'm paying top $ for continuous training here in my town, why isn't that good enough?)

In the initial advertisement, it states that Wilhelmina will not ask for upfront payment, however all of these fees must be paid in order to be represented. I do plan to get my own photos and acting classes for my son. I Know if you all really wanted to represent my son as an actor/model within your agency, there would not be a lot of these upfront fees.

please advise.

Wilhelmina's RESPONSE
*************
Hello,

After reviewing your email, it seems as though you do not understand our Talent marketing investment sheet NOR our FAQ's. If you are going to "do your own thing" with regards to shoots and Acting coaching, then you do not need our help for representation. It seems as though you wish to do it on your own. We have procedures to follow. We will ONLY work with talent who will work within our policies and procedures.

We do not negotiate with new or inexperienced talent. The Wilhelmina Name represents a guarantee of "professionalism and excellence" and we will not risk that for any new talent.

Therefore, I think its best for you to seek representation with another agency.
***********************

Now, unless I cannot read or have comprehension problems, this email did not answer any of my questions. I was prepared to invest after I have had all of my questions answered. Instead I got a very rude response.
Observation: Appears that this agency will only represent models and actors with no experience to justify these fees.

Now, you can make up your mind as to the right direction for finding representation. Send me your thoughts!

May be that agency is legit but they make you pay money up front, the photographer did a job but photos could be better. Then promise that they will take care of your career. You believe them and think that it's OK to pay because they are just starting and it is not easy. Then you contact them couple of times, nothing. Then they tell you to look for jobs yourself and mention them so they could take their 20%. The agents change and every time there is a new one, they ask that you get in touch. Nothing happens anyway. Why promise, take money?

So... how were you "scammed" again? Don't come here posting your gripes about not getting work. The fact that you aren't getting work is NOT the agencies fault. It's yours! If your face can't book anything, that's not a reason to call an agency a SCAM. What money did they take from you? What fees did you shell out? See the difference! I get sick and tired of whiny little pathetic "wanna-be" models being so quick to tarnish the rep of a legitimate agency because their feelings are hurt or because they can't book work. Go cry somewhere else! Wilhemina is one of the most legit agencies in PA, point blank!

Wilhelmina- Philadelphia is a 100% legit, there is no scam or anything underhanded going on. They are completely upfront about the costs and you have to spend those at other agencies to get legit photos and etc. I have gotten several auditions and booked jobs through them. I am very happy with them and they have treated me and every other model under them with incredible respect and honesty.

Willy Licensing, I don't buy anything you're saying. Whether you think you're right or you're blatantly lying, no reputable agency charges these fees. That is fraudulent information. I am in contact with veterans in the business, luckily, who told me to stay away from your money grubbing hands. All of those supposed necessary costs are not at all necessary. I'll just do myself a favor and sign with reputable agencies who follow professional code. This is just me doing my part to disparage with this heresy so maybe another newcomer isn't scammed. TaTa, and have a nice Wilhelmina day.

Kelli Walters is a con artist and this company is a scam. Do not give her one red cent. She changed her name from Kelli Harman in 2005 to Kelli Walters because she was being prosecuted by the attorney general for fraud. Google Kelli Harman. This woman and her phony modeling agency are a fraud.

I found them on Backstage (silly me thought that everything on Backstage was legit). I got an email saying I was being considered to be represented by them and it was my last chance since they were not going to be considering people until the next season or whatever so I attended the casting call in Conshohocken, PA. The office seemed kinda shady at first but I went along with it. They pretty much let anyone go to the casting call which was sorta shocking because why would WILHELMINA waste their time with people who are not model/actor material. Anyways, I got an email about 2 days later saying "Congratulations!" and that only 7% of the people at the casting call were chosen. I got super excited and called them for an appt. That's when they said that in the booklet they gave me there was an "Investment Sheet" which stated that for my division I had to pay $2020 when I met with the booker. I looked into it more and never showed up to my appt since I wasn't going to fall for another scam. I'm pretty successful freelancing so until I can find a REAL agency that's what I'll continue to do.

Did anyone got paid yet?

Did anyone actually got paid from them?

Please stay away from Wilhelmina P.A or Any other talent agencies, these Talent agencies are not looking for your talent but your blood, body and soul for there wealth. They love the blood of young kids, because they are innocent and naive. It's not for any reason there open call is full with people, its to make things unnoticed, it's not for any reason they look creepy, they are search for pure blood especially kids and babies. Some people go there they don't even make it back home. The world its coming to an end it's time to look for salvation. Money is not everything, they use MONEY because they know everybody wants to be RICH and everybody wants to be FAMOUS. Give your life to CHRIST THE ALMIGHTY, JEHOVAH SHALOM. Take a look at Justin Bieber and Miley Cirys they don't owe themselves.

So Im a freshman in college who wanted a little side job that would be fun as some what profitable. As a kid I had always wanted to be a model, learning about the legends like Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford an how Tyra Banks and any others like her help change the face of modeling for colored girls, so I thought I could turn to modeling.

After doing a bit of research I found Whilemina Philly. It seemed like a perfect match, close to my home and school. Excited I sent in the few photos I had and my measurements and that was that.

Weeks later I recieved an email asking me to attended an open call! Now while I had waited for a reply to my submission I had had my ex-model aunt check out the agency for me as well as two of my model friends, on who is currently in the business and one who had left a few years prior, and the responses I got from them where a little disconcerting but none the less I carried on.

Showing up for this "open call" was a bit if a nightmare. First there was literally no parking, which ok fine I could walk a bit to get to the agency. And thank god I go there early because I had to fill out papers and decide which ONE photo I would be sending with my SECOND application. By this point I'm a little suspicious but step inside the very nice lobby to be measured. I was old i was 5'9...no big deal really except my current drivers license and physical both state me at 5'10 1/2...

I was then ushered into a room where I had to wait a good hour for everyone file in. Once seated we "meet" Ms. Harrman who told us a success story of Albert O... The entire time she is giving the pitch to us using the words like starting your own business and private contractor I'm staring in horror at the large number on the back page. They wanted $1936 for certain fees.

Now I KNOW that agencies all take out fees but some of them were nonsensical. I was required to take an acting class, but I wasn't looking to be an actress. And also a web designing fee, my uncle is a web designer and had laughed very hard at their web site an fee they are charging for slapping a pic on their page. Before I could actually ask questions I was asked to walk the runway then was dismissed. I left feeling a little disoriented and disheartened after all of it.

Now looking back I see many red flags!

1. The call back email states clearly that aspiring talent is to wear a skirt and heels. I say boots, flats, and pants. In NYC a talent would have been dismissed for not following dress code.

2. When I called the office to ask about heel height, since some agencies demand a certain height or type, I was told whatever I could walk in. Well that's different for anyone. I can walk in 8inchs with no issue but someone else may only be able to handle 3inches.

3. I recieved a call about being represented and they said my name wrong repeatedly. Yes my name is hard to pronounce but I had corrected them six times during the call. I had also asked them if I could call them back because I work to other jobs and needed to see if I could get a day off to meet with the booker. I was given a number and when I called back it was disconnected...I had called the office and they basically told I was SOL.

Now my model friend and I currently live in New York where I'm waiting to hear back from Ford and IMG...now I understand that these also cost me money however I can SEE the proof of work and success. I wish everyone the best of luck out there. My advice is do your research carefully and thoroughly before you sign that paycheck.

I am scheduled to attend the open call this saturday, after reading all of this I do not know what to do! I feel like no one can be trusted, I do not want to pay an upfront fee because I believe that if an agency truly wants you, they would not ask for money. On the other hand, it seems that they are selective with who they book, meaning that if I do not give them the impression that I have $ and do not seem gullible they make take me more seriously, since there is evidence that people have gotten work I am still considering attending...any thoughts?

Also, under the FAQ it states that you do not have to pay a fee for the agency... Is this a false statement? do they treat each individual differently? I am so confused.

Whilamina PA in Harrisburg is a huge SCAM. I wish this post was around when I had to deal with them. Would have saved time, gas and money. She will take your money and run.