Covermodels Management Lucas Nault, Studio Four30 SCAM, exploiting, sexual abuse, glorified pimps Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I am the girl who posted this note about Covermodels Management originally. After reading everyones notes above I would like to express how sorry I am for having written this. As I was considering getting involved in modeling, I started to look up stories about models and their experiences on Google to show my parents that  it was OK. I came across a bunch of stories that were very bad and named some of the foreign agencies that Viresh Pujara had mentioned. I panicked. I have no direct experience with these companies and simply believed what I read, which I now know was very stupid. I got very scared and was scared for other girls who might get involved with these companies. I dont understand business at all and how these companies are not all the same. I now know that you cant  assume that what you read on the internet will be accurate and that you should check things out first hand before you make a statement or, better still, not make one at all if you have nothing good to say.

It was wrong for me to say what I did about Viresh Pujara, Covermodels , Giovanni, Empire models, Justin Perry, Ryan Colby and Studio Four 30 and I retract everything I said. I did not have any reason to be angry with Viresh . After I read that stuff on the internet, I just wanted to help protect people from what I had heard about in other countries. I made Viresh and his company sound bad and awful and frightening. I should never say things like that about anybody and I have never been more regretful of something Viresh seems very nice and Im sure he is a Good Man. You can see from his picture that he is nothing like what I said.  I copied the text about the other agencies from other internet posts and I dont know those people at all so I should not assume that what they said is accurate.  Viresh, I am really, really sorry if I have hurt you, your models and your business partners in any way. I honestly did not understand what the true facts were. I have read all the notes from the other people who have posted and now know that they are right. Covermodels Management is NOT A SCAM and Viresh and Covermodels are not  hurting or exploiting the models they are involved with in any way. I am so sorry that I wrote these things.

I am the father of one of Vireshs models.  Since she is 16 years old, she must be accompanied. On each occasion when I had the pleasure of seeing Viresh, I was warmly welcomed, and made to feel comfortable.  He is a polite, well dressed, smiling, gentleman,  who spoke to everyone in a gentle, caring fashion.

Eventhough the place was very busy, he took the time to explain things to me and share some of the shoot results with me.  Viresh  was involved with all aspects of the work surrounding us, consulting with, and advising, the other members of his team.

Our daughter has only been involved with Cover Models Management since September, but so far her experience has always been positive. We wouldnt hesitate to recommend this agency or its owner to other parents.

My name is Debbie B.  I am the mother of Andrea B a model with Cover Models.  The mere suggestion that Cover Models is a scam modeling agency and that Viresh Pujara is a bad man, is ridiculously proposterous!   The young lady that has posted this blog should be ashamed of herself for posting such lies in an attempt to damage the reputations of so many hard working people. 

My daughter Andrea was scouted by Cover Models in December of 2007 at the age of 14.  In the 2 years that we have  been working with Viresh Pujara, I have found him to be a very dedicated individual who displays the utmost professionalism with all of his models and their parents, his business partners and other industry agencies.  Andrea's book has been built up entirely with the help of Viresh and the many professional photographer's, hair stylists and makeup artists that are in Viresh's business network.  All of this has been done completely for free and I can tell you that many, many hours of hard work has gone into every one of these pictures by all those involved in the process.  Modelling is like a family where everyone chips in to do their part, as everyone can benefit if their joint efforts are recognized in the industry. Other agencies charge big dollars to teach their girls how to runway walk, move and express themselves in front of the camera. Viresh Pujara does not make his living by charging girls thousands of dollars to teach them how to be a model, he first and foremost knows how to pick the girls and young gentlemen that will make great models and works with them on their natural abilities and talent.  

My daughter also works with Giovanni's in Montreal and Toronto and with Empire Model Management in New York City.  I accompany Andrea on many shoots and jobs and the professionalism displayed by all of the employees of these agencies is outstanding.  The best thing about Cover Models, Giovanni's and Empire Model Management is that they honestly care about the models they represent and do treat them with respect and kindness
In July of 2009 I spent 2 weeks living in New York City with Andrea at the model apartment of Empire Model Management and working with Justin Peery.  It is absolutely discraceful that this young girl is trying to discredit yet another entrepeneuer she has no first hand knowledge of or personal involvement with.  It was an amazing experience to see how Mr. Peery worked with his models. Like Viresh, if the model is committed to their goal, Justin is committed to the model in promoting them with his many contacts in the industry.  The experience was so positive that we were comfortable with Andrea living in New York City for the month of September to work in the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Show Week, where she walked in 10 a-list designer shows, and completed 2 weeks of full day showroom and magazine work, before returning to Ottawa.  Then she went onto Montreal with Giovanni's, working in the Montreal Fashion Week Show with one of Montreal top designers. 

Andrea is now in Seoul Korea working with View Management who spent considerable time with Viresh at Cover Models and myself, providing me with the information and comfort level a mother requires to allow their 16 year old daughter to go half way around the world to work.  Viresh tirelessly negotiates with the agencies abroad to see that his models working and living conditions are safe and secure.  He is in daily contact with the models he represents when they are away and is excellent at contacting me as Andreas parent to ensure that I am kept up to date on all of her activities.  

            
We are fortunate to live in the technologically advanced world we live in as it enhances ones possibilities and abilities, but it definitely has it's drawbacks, and the fact that a very, very immature teenager has chosen to discredit some incredible professionals using an electronic public domain is disheartening.  If she had to stand face to face with these people and verbally utter the words she wrote I am sure she could not have gone through with her slanderous quest. 

For the record, I, Debbie B am very proud to know Viresh Pujara and all of the industry professionals he works with as they have all made the modelling world a wonderful experience for my daughter and myself.  There is nothing sketchy about Cover Models, only pure professionalism and the desire for everyone involved to succeed.

CoverModels Management is not a huge scam agency in Ottawa, Ontario.   Hello,
I am Andrea Brouwer, current model of CoverModels Management, Giovanni
Models Toronto and Montreal, Empire Model Management NYC and View
Management Seoul Korea. I have been with CoverModels, my mother agency,
as well as Giovanni for almost two years now and I am adequately
educated in the industry from various aspects such as self research
from liable sources and mainly and most importantly through personal
experience. Personal experience gives one 100% truth on a topic being
tested, so what comes out of my mouth is valid and in no way a lie, or
pieces of fragmented information that I pulled off some webpage I dont
even know who the composer is or where the information is coming from.
Why would you try to fight, defend, or backup information you yourself
dont even know is true? To me that seems like an extremely foolish,
unthought-though decision that is just going to set you up to get stuck
badly.
 
          To
start off, you claim that CoverModels studio (Studio Four30) to be
located on the edge on Vanier, in a pretty sketchy area. Studio
Four30 is yes, located near Vanier, but is rather situated in a very
nice area as stated from www.ottawaliving.ca ;
a lovely and rejuvenated neighbourhood, Beechwood Village is situated
in the central north east section of Ottawa, with the neighbourhood of
Rockcliffe Park to the north, and Vanier to the east, Beechwood Village
sits on the banks of the Rideau River. It is an exclusive area, on the
doorstep to all the amenities of Beechwood Avenue. Quaint shops, select
restaurants, and plenty of green space open to an eclectic mix of older
homes, heritage buildings and newer towns and single units. I dont
think that the definitions of lovely and rejuvenated are needed to be
given as necessities of better understanding. Viresh is the only booker
at CoverModels and he does an extremely good job at his work. As I type
I am sitting in my apartment which is the cutest place Ive ever seen
in Seoul Korea here on a contract with View Management until the end of
Janurary (and yes I am working, started working on the second day I was
here, lots of castings and shoots as well.) Im sixteen years old and
just recently became allowed to travel alone without my parents tagging
along, which is why I am now in Asia. So yes, Viresh Pujara does in
fact get his models to international countries to model and pursue
their careers in the industry close to the beginning if that is what
the models wants or at a later date when that model feels comfortable
and ready. Nobody asked you to come to the open call, you chose to do
so, therefore if all of this is sketch enough, once again nobody
asked you to come. Also if youve wanted to be a model for a long
time and have taken time to research Covermodels, Giovanni and Empire
I respectively assume you have also taken the time to research
information about the industry in greater aspects and depths to come to
the basic understanding of a models career. Models travel,
internationally to work, so of course you are going to be told you can
travel abroad, thats why you walked into the room isnt it? You wanted
to model, and be considered, and if you from previous research knew
that models travel but thought that was sketch I do not see why you
even went to the open call.   
 
          You
went in to see if you have what it takes and the look to be a model.
That leaves Viresh at no fault taking a few snaps of you to see how you
look on camera and to ask that he would like to see you again once your
eyebrows are more grown in and your dyed hair grows out until its all
back to its natural colour. If you are 110 pounds like you say, Viresh
would never ask you to lose five inches off your waist and hips. Im
510.5 and have measurements of 31.5, 24, and 35, thats bust,
waist, and hips. I fluctuate between 110-115 pounds as well and Viresh
has never told me I need to lose weight, or ever in fact lose 5 inches
off one of my measurements. That would be unhealthy and disgusting, if
anything Viresh would only say to tone up a bit with one weighing 110
pounds. He makes sure his models eat, and eat right. He doesnt force
you to eat anything or in any way, that is your choice as a model. If
you want to keep measurements that are going to help you book jobs then
if working as a model is what you want then you eat right.
 
          Viresh
is very busy as you can imagine, and he deals with his current models
first and makes sure they are AOK first, that may be why it took him a
little longer to get back to one who came in for an open call, seeing
as he also has lots of people walking in wanting to model. After your
father took over and you decided to do your own independent research on
the internet, you now also came to think that Giovanni and Empire are
both scams as well. Is it not clear that anyone can write a blog on an
agency and say whatever they want about them just to try and destroy
them? I know and have read the post you are referring to about Empire,
and it was written by someone who is just trying to do what I stated
above. This kind of stuff happens even from girls or guys who have been
turned down to be a model due to their look not being right because
theyre pissed off they didnt make it. And haha what you said about
Giovanni, not true. Like I already mentioned Ive been with them for 2
years, and never paid a cent. The bookers there are amazing to their
models also. Ive been to both the Toronto and Montreal markets to work
through them as well. They are a great agency, and yes they do
represent supermodels and no its not fake. They represent Irina
Lazareanu, discovered by Kate Moss and she is one of the top models in
the world (I know this because Irina and I have the same booker in
South Korea.) As for Empire, I have now been to NYC twice now with them
and I have not run into any problems or any of the things you are
claiming as the truth. I worked when I was there, did a variety of jobs
too including a lot of runway, showroom and magazine work. It is now
clear that the statement regarding empire models dont work is false. I
have also never been forced, threatened, violated, or intimidated with
my whole time spent with Empire. And thank-you very much I did not pimp
as a prostitute to help them make money. Youd think that if models
like Irina Lazareanu were represented by these agencies who are
supermodels of the world would not mess around with scam, fake,
dangerous agencies; they are at the top they dont put up with any type
of bullshit. It only makes sense.
 
          Plus
dear, terms like HUGE SCAM and BAD MAN are a little excessive. Almost
seems like you are trying to poorly convince people of something that
isnt true, but I guess thats what youre attempting to do anyways.
Unfortunately, youre plan isnt going to work, because you have no
evidence that your information is true, please just to humour me, look
back at what I said at the beginning; youre going to get yourself
stuck. You chose to post something on the internet without fully
thinking it though. Its also quite funny that you make your facebook
profile completely private after you posted your blog, are you trying
to hide something? Please next time before you waste more time in your
life trying to ruin other peoples, learn more about the topic youre
dealing with and have some more common sense.

CoverModels Management is one of the best model placement agencies in Canada. Never in my time working with them have I ever seen anything like what this girl is saying happen. Models with this agency DON'T pay for their test shoots, they travel to international fashion markets with the top agencies and work steadily. It is normal for models to go to markets in Asia and Greece, any agency in the world would tell you that. This report is nothing but a false accusation likely from somebody unhappy with themselves. To say that any model with CoverModels is "pimped out as a hooker" is the biggest piece of falsified information I have ever seen.

I Own Lucas Nault Hair Studio Ottawa, and have a satellite hair and makeup area at Studio four 30. Studio Four 30 is not just Cover models Management, but a small community style co-op of local artists including five photographers 3 makeup artists , and myself for hair. My Other Salon located on Laurier ave has been voted number one for Ottawa by Metro news paper twice, and I work only with the best! I have never met this Girl that delt with Viresh , and do not know what she is talking about, we have major contracts with local malls for their ad campaigns, and work internationally. People must realize this is a warehouse studio not the academy awards it is a place of work, and is in an industrial village of other warehouses, so sorry if that is not glamorous enough but it works , and well I might add. Having my name tied to such a malicious attack is unfair, and unjust , and please be advised I am considering legal action !  

Hi Viresh,

Thanks very much for considering Holly. As you can imagine, she is very excited, not to mention relieved over the mix up!

We are very keen to support her in this, so Im happy to arrange for her first shoot. I have two questions for you first though: 1) Would it be preferable for her to have her natural hair colour before the shoot? She currently has her hair dyed very dark; 2) Can you please email me a copy of your standard contract so that I can review it.

Kind regards,

Michael

--------------------------------

M. E. Rack

Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing

Allen Vanguard

Ottawa, Canada

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Hello Michael,

Thank you for the email and sorry for the mix up. We would like to begin once her eyebrows have come in more and also her natural hair is mostly back. I do not suggest dying it, as it may cause damage. Our contract states that we are the mother agency of the model and will manage their career worldwide, the will get free shoots, they will pay for their prints and will maintain themselves as a professional fashion model in appearance and attitude.

I usually don't worry that models will leave me for another local agency....it's never happened, as I am the best deal in town and the other local agencies have large fees.

We like to review the first test shoot prior to making a contractual agreement. I hope this helps and if you have any further questions, I can answer them for you too.

Best regards,

Viresh
CoverModels
Ottawa, Canada

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Hi Viresh,

I am going to be in Europe next week, so do you need anything from me before then to kick things off with Holly?

Thanks,
Michael

--------------------------------------------------------------

How long will you be there? You may come and see me for digitals snapshots to see how her eyebrows are coming in?

Thank you,

Viresh
CoverModels
Ottawa, Canada

--------------------------------------

yesterday we emailed Holly's father again asking how things were coming along with her hair and her eyebrows. NO ANSWER but today's email from Georgette and this report on the same day makes it easy to figure out what's happening.

The young lady in the above mentioned complaint is a young lady by the name of Hollyl Rack. She goes to a girls private school a block away from our sketchy studio (so she claims). I guess it can't be that bad if it's walking distance from her school.

Yes,  she did come in during an open call. The studio was busy and there was definately more than 10 staff here at that time. We took digitals of her and as she was under the age of 18, we requested that a parent come in. Her dad, and her sister came and sat in our office.

She is short, 5'7" but good for the minimum. She has a horrible box dye job and has dyed her hair black. She thinks it looks good, but it actually looks extremely bad. Her eyebrows have been almost shaved off and right now the look for women is natural brows. We did not try and sell her shoots, as our models do not pay for shoots. Every model on our CoverModels board can attest to that. We are the only agency in Ottawa to offer no courses and also to offer shoots at no cost to qualified candidates. Yes, we did take measurements and yes she did need to lose some inches to meet the industry standards. If one does not want to fit the part of being a model, why come in? She may have been 5'7" only and 110lbs only but that does not mean she was in shape or had any tone to her body.

We do send models to Athens, most of our models have gone there and all have worked successfully. One of our male models is there right now, and he's happy and working. We have never sent models to Egypt, so I don't quite know where she getting that from and yes, Asia is a great market for models.

For a girl that did not want to be part of our agency, she was quick to jump on grabbing a free shoot, hence her email. AND, yes, we did make an error and mixed up her digitals and sent her an email back saying that she was not right for us, until we realized our honest error and replied back to her and her father. Her father, Michael did email us and he was wondering about a test shoot and a contract, but we needed to  see if Holly was dedicated and was willing to grow her eyebrows back, and stop dyeing her hair black, before we made any committment. We also wanted to see how she photographed......ON OUR EXPENSE, not her or her families.

As for the agencies she's googled: we've not had any issues with any of the agencies she's listed. Our models have gone there, worked, and came home safely and very happy, missing NYC. They worked and did get paid. Sometimes people write things about agencies when they had no success there or were turned away. Like Holly Rack did with us at CoverModels.

So now we wil take these slanderous comments that are written with no fact or back up of fact, so we are dealing with her father Michael Rack, the vice president of sales and marketing for Allen Vanguard, here in Ottawa.

It's sad, this girl had a nice face. Yes, a little on the short side, would not have had an outstanding career as a model but would have had some great opportunities. We received an email today from some Georgina who is actually Holly and she wrote this also today. I think she's a crazy little girl that can't accept that she's made herself so ugly and nasty looking with her current appearance. I hope she wakes up.

Thank you,

Viresh Pujara
CoverModels
Ottawa, Canada