ComplaintsforUrban Talent Management

• Initial Complaint

  02/22/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I signed up for urban last year or so ago they destroyed and coved up many criminal activity attempted to destroy my image and attempted to destroy a large lawsuit. Allowing unprofessional people handle media

  

  Business response

  03/14/2024

  To Whom it May *******
  
  **************** was signed as an Actor with ********** on May 3 2022 after coming into our office for a second appointment.  **************** did not uphold his contract with the agency and with Style Incorporateds training and development program as well. As a result **************** has his contract with Style Incorporated sent to a collections agency.  ********** does not engage in anything criminal or illegal. We represent professional models and actors providing audition opportunities and casting opportunities in the divisions of print, film, commercial, and television.   

  Customer response

  03/17/2024

   
  Complaint: 21243714
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  They and there other contractors employees along with ******** talent and casa ****** have not only tried to put me in pornagaphy but also tried to pimpe me out I do not do pornagphy . one actress called my a ********* along with other harassments including using acting or teleprompting to humiliates and destroy my image and reputation. I don't know exactly how to explain this other than I sent a email quite his talent agency and he stated before this that we would have to revise contract due to the amount of money. my mother do to actress and afflicts ****** something stole money and bite coine. money other discrepancy's including interference with law cases that have nothing to do with his their agency.    
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

• Initial Complaint

  02/21/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I filed a complaint here about this same company before but they chose to ignore it. I have now been sent a debt collectors notice from them to pay money for something I never received. I was scammed into signing with this modeling company and when I looked closer at the contracts, I could not move forward with it. They required me to pay $2000 just for training. They said I could not get model jobs without the training. At first they were very kind to me but after I called them and tried to work out what they were doing and claiming, they became aggressive and I could not say anything that would help. Now they are saying I am $2800 in debt for the training, but I NEVER DID ANYTHING WITH THEM OTHER THAN THE INTERVIEW. I had paid $100 for a headshot, but I did not get that either.

  

  Business response

  03/14/2024

  To Whom it May ******************************* was signed with our agency on November 14th 2024. Within two weeks of ************ signing her contracts she was given email and text communication to reserve her spot for training and development.  She was provided 7 text messages requesting her to reserve her spot for training and development, and not one of the 7 messages was responded to.  ************ complaint to never receiving anything is by choice of hers and not by the company that provided the opportunities and communicated they were available.  ************ chose to not communicate therefore she was not in attendance. ************ was provided the opportunity to also visit with our local director to provide some assistance with the contract that she signed. What ************ fails to mention is that during her interview what she did do is sign two contracts.  Those contracts provided ************ with agency representation for castings and auditions and also with the ability to receive professional training and development.  ************ did not follow through with her responsibilities on those contracts by her choice. ************ claims that she also did not receive her headshot as well. What ************ fails to mention in her complaint is that she no showed her scheduled appointment on December 12 2023 at 2:40 PM. Our agency had been willing to work with ************ and followed the contracts that she had signed. ************ is welcome to reach back to our agency to create resolve for her.  

• Initial Complaint

  12/22/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I made a complaint about this company In the summer time regarding them. Just taking way too much money and not providing much of the service when I did that. They reached out to me and explained that that can work on the payments with me and just to stick it out. So they lowered the payment. And I did try to stick it out a little bit longer. Then one of my part time jobs shut down so I was down six hundred dollars a month. When my car declined for payment. And I told them really didn't seem to care much other than they wanted to get their money. When I had to miss their in person class because I had to work extra hours at my other job to try to make up for the money. I was missing not only did the head lady in charge of the class. Give me and told me that I knew. I was supposed to take this class that it was mandatory. I told her that my priorities are about keeping a roof over my head and food on the table. And making sure I can get back and forth to work. I stated that this company is on the bottom of my list. Especially since only money is Going Out and they're not doing anything to help bring money in. I even had to pay for my own photography. Shoot for their website which was ****, because I've worked with better photographers of the past. They only just tried to reschedule me for the in person class a couple weeks ago when I started reaching out to the company to let them know. I'm completely uninterested And being a part of this company anymore. I feel like no one is listening to me. Because I have told many people with this company that I am not interested in working with them anymore. Me and my Director have been playing phone tag going back-and-forth trying to get this taken care of but even she's not listening and keeps pushing me to stay with this company that leaves a horrible taste in my mouth.

  

  Business response

  01/25/2024

  To Whom it May ****************************** signed two separate contracts with two different companies.The first is our talent agency Urban Talent Management.  That contract highlights her receiving representation from ********** for potential casting and booking opportunities.  Those opportunities are available to her based on her skill and experience.  She is a signed talent as an independent contractor.  As an independent contractor a signed talent has a responsibility to have proper industry tools along with necessary skills to be prepared when a casting and audition becomes available to her. While ************** has not been able to fulfill her contract with her development and training. she has been able to receive casting opportunities and auditions that are available.  

  The second contract that ************** signed was with a separate development company that teaches ************** the necessary skills in how to be a professional talent or model.  That contract does require an investment to learn via workshops, and includes a full portfolio shoot when the necessary skill has been developed and talents are prepared.  *********************** does contract out workshops for the talent or model to be in attendance to begin learning a skill.  ************** was given more than one opportunity to work with her schedule and her payments to continue to have the opportunity to learn available to her. *********************** has been able to create a resolution with ************* and her situation in her life now. 

• Initial Complaint

  11/11/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  November 1, 2023 I had an interview and had an agent swiftly read over a contract not explaining the cancelation policy. I did not see that part as well as a lot of the requirements until after signing and reading over it more carefully myself. After reading over I decided I wanted to cancel the contract due to a medical condition I have making me able to complete their requirements. I have seizures that are continuous and unable to be controlled. With my seizures being a risk everyday, it would be useless for me to work with them. They told me I needed to grow out my hair, but with my seizures, I have to shave my hair completely all the time for tests done on my brain. I contacted them explaining me seizures, and they ignored me, basically telling me my seizures do not matter. If I had a seizure during a shoot or something, they would charge me more money for leaving early or interfering due to something I can not control. All I want is for my contract to be cancelled for my safety.

  

  Business response

  11/15/2023

  To Whom it May Concern
  
  Ms. ******* met with our agency in our Las Vegas office and interviewed with our directors. During the audition and interview Ms. ******* showcased her excitement and interest in modeling and acting. With that excitement Ms. ******* accepted representation with the agency and invested into the starting phase of her development.  During this audition and interview Ms. ******* did not disclose to her director she was meeting with the medical condition that she does have. In her first email after signing, Ms. ******* states she needs to have some work done with a medical condition that did pop up but adds she would like to continue to work with the agency.  The first email is attached. After having a few conversations back and forth Ms. ******* then emails stating she did not mention her health concerns during her appointment. This email is attached.  
  As an agency had we known that Ms. ******* did have her medical condition in our first interview and audition our agency would have taken a different approach to her signing contracts.  Our agency would have first made sure that Ms. *******’s medical condition would not prohibit her from being on a set that could trigger or activate her condition. Our agency is working on creating resolve with Ms. ******* now knowing her condition, however her full transparency from the beginning with the agency would have benefited everyone involved. 

  Customer response

  11/15/2023

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ********* *******

• Initial Complaint

  10/25/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I recently with Urban Talent. I was not made fully aware of the commitment I was making, and I was not mentally in the right headspace to make any commitments and was rushed and improperly persuaded in my decision. Only after signing was I given the chance to fully read and understand the contract. I found that the terms of the contract hold me to unconscionable terms. I felt extreme anxiety and panic about the contract, and was in a dissociated state when I signed. The company is taking their time to get back to me and help me terminate, but I need to terminate my contract before I am charged.

  Customer response

  09/25/2023

  The business also violates the FTC rule that a contract can be canceled within 72 hours. I tried to cancel within hours and they did not work with me.

  They also had me sign under false pretenses. I was only allowed time to read the contract thoroughly after signing, and it was only then that I realized that they wrote in their contract that they did not allow for the 72 hour cancellation.

  I signed without knowing this, it is a direct violation of my rights.

  Customer response

  10/05/2023

  I canceled my card while trying to cancel my contract, however, the business went into my account and took out more than they said they would anyways. They took out $257.50 from my account without me authorizing it. This is a money grabbing pressure sales company, that cheats young vulnerable girls out of their money.

  They have taken out my money without me having received any services fully knowing that I intended on ending my contract. Please help.

  

  Business response

  11/15/2023

  To Whom it May Concern -

   

  Ms. ***** was provided the opportunity to review and understand the contracts that she was signing.  There are 7 pages that our Directors thoroughly cover when in the signing process.  Ms. ***** does sign and initial in more than one place acknowledging the terms of the contract. Our Directors did have more than one conversation with Ms. ***** following the signing of her contract and though those conversations they were able to reach a resolve with Ms. *****. 

   

   

  Customer response

  11/15/2023

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is (although unsatisfactory), ultimately complete. The logistics of this case may have come to a close, but my gut feelings are anything but that. I found that in the entire process of this case, I personally felt manipulated by the agents, I personally felt coerced, and I personally felt like I was wronged. It is my personal opinion and feeling that this business does not operate on moral grounds. In my personal experience with this business I feel that I lost substantially more than I gained, and personally felt a major lack of respect. 
  
  Signed,
  
  **** *****

• Initial Complaint

  09/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On September 18, 2023 I signed a contract with Urban Talent Management and Style *** saying I would be managed by them to do modeling gigs for various clients of Urban and Style ***. This contract said I would be managed for 3 years and I would pay $2000 to Style ***. in exchange for modeling classes and workshops. These Style ***. classes and workshops are mandatory in order to be managed by Urban Talent Management. The whole process of being told about these contracts and the requirements took place in one fast paced interview with a lot of pressure to sign. The "interview", which was really a signing meeting, lasted for about an hour and the whole thing was recorded audio and visual without my knowledge or consent. I did not know it was recorded until after I signed the contract. I contacted the business within 24 hours of signing the contract saying I would like to terminate and I wouldn't be a good fit for them and vise versa. I received communications back saying there was no way for me to cancel or refund payments for the Style ***. classes. I have not paid yet, they are set to bill me at the end of the month, but I would just like to avoid paying since I am not planning on attending or working for/with either company ever again. It is currently September 20, ********************************************************************************************************************************** even negotiation. I have not taken any classes or workshops or anything from Urban or Style, I have requested multiple times to cancel, but they have not been compliant. I did more research and I have come across dozens and dozens of experiences like mine, people being coerced into signing these heavy contracts and not being able to exit. I signed under duress and I explained that I would like to make clean cut ties with the company just two days into my contract, and they refused. They cannot keep doing this to people it is a scam and unethical!

  

  Business response

  10/02/2023

  To Whom it May *******
  
  My T***** did indeed sign her contract for representation with our Agency on September 18 2023.  In addition to signing that contract she also signed a contract with Style Incorporated to take development and training courses in modelling and acting.  Throughout the signing process **************** did sign and initial a document stating that there is no cancellation policy to the contract itself.  *************** workshops are only mandatory for a prospective talent that does not possess the necessary skill set to be booked as a professional model or actor.  The designated workshops begin the process of teaching the skills needed for talent. For **************** to be under duress during her appointment she would have had threats, violence or constraints brought against her, which is not the case. Quite the opposite can be viewed from her appointment.  Prospective talents are made aware that for security purposes during the signing process recording does occur. Prospective talents are given the opportunity to go home and think about what they want to do, after signing contracts without having to sign them the same day.  ********** directors can schedule a second appointment for the talent to come back and will hold representation for that prospective talent if they make a request to come back a second day.
  Our agency has been in contact with **************** and is working toward creating a resolution with her. 

• Initial Complaint

  08/01/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Frustrated mother of young talent. At first Urban Talent seemed to go to be true. They Just opened in *********. We did reach out and inquired about opportunities. My daughter was called in to audition. Was selected to be represented by them and all was good. The contract was a lot but normal for any talent agency. They proceeded to tell us about the payments, training and so on to build her portfolio which seem reasonable. My daughter and I agree that this would be ok to manage. But I am a single mother, going through a divorce was hit with financial hiccup that I am still figuring out now. They worked with me which has been ok. We have not attended any of their training due to not being able to afford the cost. But my daughter voiced to me a few months ago that she did not want to continue with acting and modeling. I voiced my concerns and I get in response is oh that is really sad. If she changes her mind she can come back whenever. Please contact Style. I have reached out to style several times telling them my 12year old daughter has made the decision to no longer continue. I was told that regardless of her wanting to no longer continue was fine, but I still need to pay for service, and the contract can not be canceled. All I want is to have my daughters contract removed. Like I stated before she has not done any of the training or events that are included in the training due to not having the financial ability. Plus should not have to pay for services my daughter is not longer going to do or has done. When asked that, response was That is totally fine as to what her choice is. We cannot control that however, you will need to keep current with your payments until her balance is paid off. Still once again no services were used or was she placed for work.They did get payments from me from what I could afford. All I want is my 12year old daughter out of this contract and services. Im not asking for any money back.

  

  Business response

  08/29/2023

  To Whom it May ******* -

  The Style team will be in contact with ************** to create a resolution for her.  Its understandable that there was a change for her daughter and a different path going forward.  Style did begin communicating with ************** about the upcoming workshops and opportunities but not commitment to confirming to them has taken place as there has been a struggle to keep up with payment to the contract.  Style is working to create resolution with ************** and her daughter. 

• Initial Complaint

  03/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In this interview, first of all they bring you back have you do some posing and demonstrating then they bring you back one by one they don’t even really ask you anything about yourself besides what brought you here, what’s your goals etc. then they bring you back and They just immediately start telling you that you have the look that they want, your are super marketable and then say they want to sign you straight away and then start asking you for money and telling you about payment plans and pulling out contracts. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you look like. If you’re willing to pay, Urban will take you. Urban requires you to pay $2,000 for headshots, training, building your portfolio etc. Or “you can finance it for $250 a month.” And this isn’t to “them” its to Style INC. which by the way is owned by the same people as urban talent as well as when you look it up on google it has the same address as urban and the same phone number as urban talent. When I expressed concern and asked if I could think about it since $2,000 is a lot of money for anyone especially a collage student the agent’s attitude toward me changed. She more pushy and I was told me if I don’t sign today then there may not be a spot for me, and then the agent started asking questions about my hesitation to pay, and said “why am I letting myself get in the way of something I have always wanted to do” and “you saw our google review we are a good company”, then when I started to get emotional the agent used that to her advantage, and eventually I signed under the pressure and an idea in my head that if I did not sign today then they would not have a spot for me. And 8 hours later I sent a text to cancel the contract and the next day an email also stating that I am canceling the contract. Which under Utah state code Ann 70A-4-201 has grounds for signing a contracts under duress swell as which Utah state code Ann 13-11-4 prohibit business from engaging in such practices.

  

  Business response

  04/10/2023

  To Whom it may concern:
  
  Ms. ******** signed her contract to be a part of our agency on January 27 2023.  During this meeting she met with one of our directors to talk about the Agency, her marketability and to also talk about what her interest is in modeling and commercial acting.  The claim that Ms. ******** was not given the opportunity to talk about herself or goals is invalid as upon coming to the agency she fills out an introductory stat sheet that gives our Directors an opportunity to learn about the people that they will meet with and information to know what questions to ask.  It was discovered during Ms. ********’s audition that she did not possess the skill set necessary to book professional paid jobs with the agency as a model.  As a result, Ms. ******** was referred to our agency’s sister company that is a training and development company. This company Style Incorporated directly works with potential talent to teach them the necessary skill of modeling. The two companies work directly with each other to create the best scenario with each talent individually providing them with an opportunity to be represented and an opportunity to develop a necessary skill to book professional paid modeling opportunities.  Our director did guide Ms. ******** to know that those opportunities may not come again upon leaving and that the agency would not hold a spot for her.  The process with Style Incorporated does have an investment because Ms. ******** would be paying to learn and develop the professionalisms of the industry.  Ms. ******** at this time chose to sign her contract for representation and her contract for development. Both contracts and companies are separate and each serve a purpose as individual contracts. The agency itself adheres to and follows all Utah code guidelines and procedures as well.  
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  02/11/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I was coerced into signing a contract I did not feel comfortable with.

  

  Business response

  03/01/2023

  To Whom it May ********
  
  **************** signed as a Talent with ********** in August of 2022.  Within a week of signing as a Talent **************** chose to attend a portion of his training and development and attended two zoom meetings.  Following those zooms **************** elected to sign up for the next step in his development of modeling and acting.  That next step was to sign up for the in person training sessions.  *************** did sign himself up for the training sessions that were being hosted August 29th and 30th 2022.  **************** did confirm via text to attend his training sessions, but did not show up on the actual date of the training.  Following this **************** was invited to a make up session of his training and never did respond to the opportunity to make up the training and development.  *************** was offered the services that he was contracted for and made decisions to consume some of them, and also made decisions to not consume some of them.
  At no point when meeting with the Director was **************** coerced into signing his contract. Its a decision that he was able to make for himself. He continued in his decision by choosing to attend some of the development that he was contracted for. 

  Customer response

  03/01/2023

   
  Complaint: 19388967
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I was bombarded with a multitude of inappropriate questions such as:

  oh so youre not that serious about your career?

  They said to me:

  oh you need to talk to your dad beforehand? He must not trust you to make decisionsI get it

  ok yeah if you dont sign today I cant promise your offer will be available

  you are short so this actually might not be a fit anyway

   

  I tried to leave and they stopped me at the door and told me if I didnt sign it, it could affect my job offerings in the future.

  At 21, this is first I have ever experienced something like this. They led me along and took my card information, and coerced me into signing without telling me the amount before hand. I tried to withdraw from the contract and the company refused. I dont use the services, nor have I ever.

  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  10/25/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I was coerced into signing a contract I did not feel comfortable with.

  

  Business response

  11/22/2022

  Understanding this was a new office to which ******************** had visited, we have created and offered a resolution of contract with her.  

  Customer response

  11/22/2022

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

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