Complaint Review:
East Coast Starz
So you want your child to have a shot at modeling and you find a fashion road show claiming to make all your dreams come true. Let me tell you what is true! This fashion road show is nothing more than a ripoff they lie about having connections to the modeling industry yet all you get is a cheap crown for your child. I spent hundreds of dollars and so have a lot of my friends and nothing comes out of it. Starz is just putting on a big party show, which is fine however taking peoples hard earned money then promising them a dream they can not for-fill is just wrong. The fees they charge are outrageous!. I felt the need to warn the public of their scam.
They have now added to this road show a boutique called stargazer, which is extremely overpriced. The worse part is that they invite you to a stargazer show for free as they say but then expect you to buy a $350 dress for your child. This company needs to stop selling a dream that they know they cannot make come true to all those participants. So many have left, never to return, disgusted in how they run this big road show scam. The only way to get your child into modeling is to do it yourself or through a great agent none of which they have the ability to provide through their road show. Stacie pushes the claim that she has pull in the industry when she is nothing more than a mother of children who model as well. Stacie uses her children to sell you a dream!
She speaks of go-see's which anyone can attend for free, she speaks of children that went to her show and show up on a segment of Good Morning America, however she leaves out the part that anyone can stand outside the glass and if you wait long enough you too can be seen on TV. Starz cannot get you into modeling; they cannot book you for the GAP, H&M or any other company! You as a parent have to do it all. It takes time and persistence, save your hard earned money you'll need it for expenses. They need to stop lying to participants and ripping them off by getting them to come to the shows with a vision in their heads of big time bookings and scouting from agents that do not exist.
if you want a chance at modeling DO NOT go or support STARZ, this road show will do nothing but take your money. Go to reputable agencies that can provide you with guidance and don't take a dime until you actually get booked.
Real agencies do not tell you to gaze at stars they make you one! They do not put on roadshows and sell you a dream.
9 Updates & Rebuttals
fiehnphoto
Milford,Connecticut,
USA
Stacie IS the real thing
#10Consumer Comment
Tue, April 19, 2016
I've been in this business as a photographer for many many years and am also a model mom in NYC. And what you have to realize in that not everyone is model material nor do they live within the proximaty of a market area. Please read my blog article at www.catherinefiehn.blogspot.com Don't pay to walk, let your kids watch others walk instead. I've know Stacie for many years and she is a wealth of advice, a model mom and a well known stylist in the children's modeling indusry in NYC. She is the real thing. If you want your kids to model you can send snapshots to agencies or go to open calls or submit online these days. But I will tell you one thing. It can be a "who you know" business at times and Stacie is a great person to know. You can submit to agencies and come up for the summer. Stacie events are full of working NYC models and some kids who just want to have fun! That is what is important!! NOT A SCAM but not a sure thing either (that depends on you and your child).
#blessed
Bangor,Pennsylvania,
Disagree 100%
#10Consumer Comment
Wed, November 26, 2014
EastCoastStarz has 2 different types of events.Starz & Stargazer.
Nobody is guaranteed to break into modeling industry.
Real agencies do attend the larger event Starz and have meet and greets.
Not everyone gets a follow up call you have to be realistic
But a lot of kids have been successful from these opportunities
Stacie does know the agents she is more than a model mom
She is top sought after Ny kid stylist
To get a meeting in person with an agency is a great opportunity.
All the kids are kind and friendly.
It is a fashion runway show
crowns for all? yes because kids love them! (@big show not Stargazer)
It is not a scam!!!!
Kids have a blast!!!
We have done at least 6 events & are signed up to do Stargazer in Dec
Here you get outfit , professional photos with hair & makeup for lilltle over a $100
Honestly photos cost more than this whole Stargazer package
The large event costs more But is way more to it. 2 days of fun team competitions winners get day in NYC with a pink limo as a ride!
* this where you can meet top NY agencies
Do your research look on fb- they have tons of satisfied clients who are already top NY child models and they too keep going back for the fun experience Lauren & Stacie host at both of these events.
All continue to return For the Fun- Friends- Experience!!!!
Not only to break into show biz..this is not just what Starz is .It is also confidence building. Friends.Fun!!!
.
Nobody can promise success as a model.Not even a top NY agency. Be realistic!!!
Model4girls
NY,New York,
It is so true
#10Consumer Comment
Thu, April 10, 2014
It is true, I just found this by accident and gosh this report hit the nail on the head. That road show is a rip off, all you do is spend and spend. My child never got a dam thing out of it. Starz is in no way any help to any potential model. If you want to model do go there. Stacy is a fast talker who wants to be 16 again and its sad that she is the way she is. Lauren is the shy and behind the scenes person with the money, all of your money. its nothing more than a glorified Pageant. Yes the girls look good but for the price its better that you book a weekend stay on your own with a group of your friends, you'll have a better time and not feel robbed. Complete waste of time, Go search for your own reputable scouts starz can not do anything for you
Toddler Loves Starz
Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania,
Starz is a Wonderful Event!
#10General Comment
Thu, December 05, 2013
My daughter has competed in Starz and will compete in future Starz events. Nowhere does Starz claim to be a modeling agency. It is a runway competition where the kids can go, have fun, and make new friends. Yes, there are agencies that attend. Each contestant has the opportunity to meet with the agency for the possibilities of having representation. And yes, children can be scouted there. However, it isn't promised that EVERY child will! Stacie and Lauren really put a lot into each show and make the girls all feel like models, no matter if they are 1 or 16! They make sure each child goes home with a crown and a swag bag. Nobody leaves that stage empty handed, which is great, especially for the little ones because they all receive a crown. It is not a rip off. Sounds to me that the person who originated this post is just an uphappy mother or father whose child did not win. Not everyone can win the Starz title. It depends on how well the girl does in all of the areas of competition. My child didn't win the first time, did that discourage us and have me sit down and write a Rip Off Report? No! I registered her for the next event, and now for the event coming up again in May. Also, Star Gazer isn't what this person puts it out to be. You pay your deposit, receive a gift card that can be redeemed for your outfit. If the outfit is only $100, that is all you will spend. Nobody needs to spend $350, unless you personally want to. Instead of trying to give Starz a bad name, maybe try to learn to be a team player and be happy for the other contestants!
Susan
Medford,New York,
East Coast Starz is not a scam
#10Consumer Comment
Sun, December 01, 2013
I am a mom of a teen who competed in this competition two times. The first time she did not win or place, but we loved the way this show was run, and how it was different than other pageants. We went back a second time, not expecting much, and we did win. The win was just an extra plus. This show has to be one of the most exciting shows we have ever experienced. My daughter did many glitz pageants when she was younger and many of them called themselves "model search pageants, etc.... it never went further than that though. This competition does offer real opportunities. My daughter did book 2 modeling jobs and one was a paid runway show in NYC. I really loved the fact that East Coast Starz offers interview because that is something that all kids need to learn in real life. You will also leave the competition with wonderful photos for your portfolio. Both of us actually preferred this competition over other pageants we have done. The directors, Lauren Handler and Stacie Fitzgerald work hard to make each show even better than the last one. I am glad that we found Starz and kind of sad that my teen has aged out, and will no longer be able to compete anymore. This is one show that any person involved in pageants should definitely try.
Pageant Mom
Delaware,Disagree with this report
#10Consumer Comment
Sun, November 17, 2013
I took my daughter to Starz 4 and it was amazing. We were not promised anything. While my daughter did not win or got scouted, she had an amazing time. They do not promise that the children will "make it" in the industry or that they will get scouted. It is definitely a possibility, but doesn't happen for everyone.
I know for a fact how hard the ladies (Stacie Fitzgerald and Lauren Handler) work for the kids. I see their constant efforts on Facebook and at their events.
I can't wait to take my daughter to a Star Gazer event. Yes, you do have to purchase an outfit, but there are different prices. Then you get to model, get pictures, keep the outfit and great memories.
Too bad people misunderstand or do not read all the details. Starz rocks!
A dad
New York,East Coast Starz
#10General Comment
Fri, November 15, 2013
We just went to our first East Coast Starz event last weekend, November 9th and 10th, 2013. We decided to give it a try because my daughter likes fashion and loves to dress up.
We didn't spend our money ($400) to go there to get picked up by an agency, nor were we mislead into thinking that we would be picked up. That being said, my daughter, who has no experience with modeling, was chosen for a follow up interview with several reputable New York based model management companies and picked for a photo shoot with a great children's photographer. I don't want to get everyone's hopes up by naming names, but we really had no idea this was even possible. We also received a headshot from the photo portion of the event that we are very proud of. There is too much to list one by one, and I felt compelled to set the record straight about East Coast Starz.
My point is, the reason's to do it are for the experience. They treat the girls nicely, they make friends, and they build confidence by getting on stage in front of the crowd. You can learn about the industry from parents that have been there (pageants, modeling, TV, films, etc..) and come out of it having learned a good deal if you wish. I am glad we did it, and my daughter is already asking about Take 7.
If you are going there to get found, it is definitely possible, but there is no promise.
Granny12
Pennsylvania,Not true
#10General Comment
Tue, November 12, 2013
I do not find this to be true. We paid a small fee ($100) to attend, and that amount could be put towards an outfit, but we were never made to buy anything. Some were low cost, some were high cost, but there was no pressure to do so.
We never expected this to be a place to be discovered, either. What we read in the information was it was about the experience and fun. Friends were made and it's something many of us do, every year. Just fun.
Mom of child model
Pennsylvania,Do not agree
#10Consumer Comment
Tue, November 12, 2013
They do have connections in the industry, and have gotten kids into the industry, with their connections. This is a model pageant, plain and simple. Many pageants, and events like this, are scouted by agents.
People who want an agent, can just submit to one, but kids have also been found for the industry, this way. That being said, I have never seen stated that they promise you anything more than is advertised.
We have never done the event, but have many friends who have, and all of the info is out there, about it. I disagree, with the poster. It's not a rip off, but with anything, where you are entering your child, read all the info and ask questions, so there is no surprise.
Thanks.