John Robert Powers DON'T TRUST TAMELA HAMILTON OR ANY JRP EMPLOYEE, THEY'RE LIARS! Corona California

I am not here to speak bad about JRP. My dealings with them are very brief, however like the original poster, we were very misinformed. A young boy approached us at a movie theater and mentioned a free drawing. I'm all about anything free, and of course, my daughter saw the Hannah Montana picture on the spinning wheel (I wonder if they had permission to use that?). We did not win anything, but did receive a call a couple of days later where they said that they were from JRP and that their talent scouts had spotted my daughter and they wanted her to come in for an audition. Yes, that is exactly what they said to me. I have two daughters, and they called for each, so I got to hear the same thing twice. They told us that the 'National Director' was in town and was looking for new talent and they wanted my daughter to audition with him. Hmm... sounds great! Well, I asked all of the questions.. cost, time, what do they need to do. It didn't seem like it was going to hurt, so we went to their 'audition'. We ended up in a room with a bunch of other people, watching a recorded video designed to get the kids excited. My 6 year old ate it up! We were herded like cows through different lines before being invited into a room. We talked to another 'director' (of what I don't know) and he (who was very nice) asked alot of questions, gave my daughter's lines from a commercial to read and sent us to another room. They had about 30 seconds to read over their commercial before going into another room with a camera to audition. Being the type of mother I am, I insisted that I go into the room with my daughters. They did not want me to at first, but did not fight it. There was one girl in there with a camera, no one else. No 'National Director' no one instructing the kids, nothing. The girl couldn't guide the kids or anything. She really looked out of place (but again, was very nice and very sweet). Then we were rushed out of the office and told to call the next day to find out about our call back. ?? When I called the following day, they were very unorganized. Called my daughter (who has a gender neutral name) 'He' and said that they wanted to see 'him' back for a second audition with the National Director. Uh.. I thought that was what the first audtion was supposed to be? After this they said they thought that my daughter would be an appropriate fit for their level 2 or 3 class and how they take payments. Great that they are a school, have no problem with that... but don't lie to me and my kids about the possiblity to have a real audition. I have no idea what JRP does for the money you pay. I have no idea about the actual training that one may get from this school, it may be wonderful. But I do not agree with how they lie to people in order to get them in the door, or how they glamorize eveything to try and 'buy' the kids. This is a scheme like any other... buyer beware... and good luck to those who do.

I used to work for JRP and they do take your money and run! I have seen a lot of pissed off parents go in and out of that place! Also, their teachers are a joke. One day I watched a modeling class. and it was an absolute joke! They had an overweight girl(I felt SO sorry for her) on the run way, and you know she won't get anywhere in modeling being over weight. Yes, now they have plus size models, and plus size models ARE proportioned. This poor girl wasn't. She was bulging out all over the place. And they were setting her up to be doomed for accepting her into the class. JRP accepts EVERYBODY who are willing to pay. One day I was asked to teach an acting class because the teacher couldn't make it in. I was shocked because I had no teaching experience. Let me just say this... and this to to everyone: parents, kids, and adults, anyone who wants to be an actress, actor or model. First you DON'T have to pay thousands of dollars for pictures and training. acting classes can range from $120 a month (even lower) to $350 a month depending on where you go. and just because a class is more, doesn't necessarily mean they are better. Basically if they are more expensive, you are paying for the name and their recognition. I went to a commercial acting class in LA and it was $250. a very good class. Now I believe JRP charges like $500 and up I think. Also pictures. you can get pictures for like $75-$350 again depends who you go to. The more expensive photographer are the "names" recognized in the industry. I have gone to several photographers who have charged anywhere from $75-$250, and my pictures that I paid $75, where just as good as the more expensive photos I purchased at $250. Now children, you don't need a headshot . Agencies will take children who have snapshots or polaroids. With modeling, you don't have to have training. My niece was a model with NO training. She was represented by LA Models which is a very good agency in LA. The best advice I can give to you is DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!! (I'm not shouting, I'm just stressing the importance!) Get savvy about the entertainment industry. Network, make contacts because that is the nature of the business, who knows you... not who you know, but "who knows you." And don't spend an arm and a leg trying to get their either. It is not necessary. I believe you either have it or you don't.
Good luck to you all. :)

I used to work for JRP and they do take your money and run! I have seen a lot of pissed off parents go in and out of that place! Also, their teachers are a joke. One day I watched a modeling class. and it was an absolute joke! They had an overweight girl(I felt SO sorry for her) on the run way, and you know she won't get anywhere in modeling being over weight. Yes, now they have plus size models, and plus size models ARE proportioned. This poor girl wasn't. She was bulging out all over the place. And they were setting her up to be doomed for accepting her into the class. JRP accepts EVERYBODY who are willing to pay. One day I was asked to teach an acting class because the teacher couldn't make it in. I was shocked because I had no teaching experience. Let me just say this... and this to to everyone: parents, kids, and adults, anyone who wants to be an actress, actor or model. First you DON'T have to pay thousands of dollars for pictures and training. acting classes can range from $120 a month (even lower) to $350 a month depending on where you go. and just because a class is more, doesn't necessarily mean they are better. Basically if they are more expensive, you are paying for the name and their recognition. I went to a commercial acting class in LA and it was $250. a very good class. Now I believe JRP charges like $500 and up I think. Also pictures. you can get pictures for like $75-$350 again depends who you go to. The more expensive photographer are the "names" recognized in the industry. I have gone to several photographers who have charged anywhere from $75-$250, and my pictures that I paid $75, where just as good as the more expensive photos I purchased at $250. Now children, you don't need a headshot . Agencies will take children who have snapshots or polaroids. With modeling, you don't have to have training. My niece was a model with NO training. She was represented by LA Models which is a very good agency in LA. The best advice I can give to you is DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!! (I'm not shouting, I'm just stressing the importance!) Get savvy about the entertainment industry. Network, make contacts because that is the nature of the business, who knows you... not who you know, but "who knows you." And don't spend an arm and a leg trying to get their either. It is not necessary. I believe you either have it or you don't.
Good luck to you all. :)

You can say whatever you want in your defense, but you're all about money and sales. I understand that you're running a business and that you need to make money and take care of four kids, but that doesn't excuse the poor recruit tactics of JRP. The things I said about Philip were completely true and if they had not been, you wouldn't have apologized to me about it.

You're right, I AM computer savvy, and you could learn a lot from me. You had NO idea that people were even coming here compaining about your former employee who was scamming people out of their money. I told you on that phone that you had complaints, RECENT complaints and you didn't believe me.

When I called to cancel, I told you that I didn't wasn't comfortable after reading these compaints, and all of them are quite recent!!

You told me you only get about ONE complaint a year. Ha!! have you read them all, Tamela? Some of them are from a few days ago and the others within the last two months.

Nothing you say is going to change the way I feel about your company. You're supposed to be the PRESIDENT/CEO of that JRP, and yet you had NO CLUE that your own employee was taking advantage of your students.

You should ALWAYS know what's going on. It's your JOB to know. And if it's too hard for you to keep up to date on what's going on under the roof of your OWN business, maybe you shouldn't be running it.

Ms. Monica Bryant, I do have a response to each of your accusations and lies. First of all for being 25 years of age you are one smart intellectual lady. We did NOT seek you out, you seeked us out by searching the web and emailed me through our web sight. You stated your passion was acting and wanted our help. (We still have your email at the office for viewing) Our web sight John Robert Powers net clearly states we are a SCHOOL ! (Hellooo ) That is how we make money. That is what we do ! We train people from 4 years of age through adult. (So your first lie is we did NOT cold call you ! ) Second, My employee Philip stated he is director of new talent. Not a casting director. (That is your 2 lie) All my directors go by a general script. That is their title. They invite new possible talent into our studios for an audition. Our auditons are free. There is no cost to come in and find out about us ! As you have done your homework, before EVER walking through our front door, you clearly knew, you would need training. (We are a school) Yes, Our presentation includes you doing a short commercial for us. We need to see your present confindence, personality, and ability to fit into character. Monica, We are the LARGEST, MOST PRESTIGIOUS modeling and acting acedemy in the world ! We are selective of whom we accept ! That night you came in we had 19 familys and I offered to train 4. (All applications and ability to prove this is now in your file at the school ) Any one can now view that also. I do boast of my accomplishments. Absolutely ! This is my life ! This is what I have been doing for 22 years ! I Love this industry with a passion ! How dare you defamate my character ! As you stated, we have you call back the next day to find out if we want to work with you. ( I never force nor pressure anyone into anything, EVER ) When you called, I was excited to see you enroll in our acting workshops ! (Not modleing, runway, life skills, nor our elite program) Only our acting. I had researched ALL your "YouTube" Videos. I thought you were funny and had potenial. We talked about the workshops , we went over the schedule, and worked out your investment. Upon your arrival, Ms. Pamela went over your registration. I could have done that myself, but I assumed we discused all this on the phone. (As with all business , tasks are delegated) When you asked Ms. Pamela what goes on in the classes she handed you a week by week detailed curriculum syllabus of exactly what happens. ( Another Lie) Yes, We do give you 72 hours to cancel. You read the contract. You knew this. You signed this . I still have a difficult time believing someone (with precedence of lying) What the real reason is of the cancelation. Especially when you spend sooo much time online and extremly computor savy. Anyhow, You forgot to state. I immediately accepted your cancellation and invited you to at least try a couple acting classes for FREE ! WOW ! Monica, we are known for teaching Modeling, Acting, and Life (Life skills). We do Not have 100% success in each individual going on to work in the industry resulting in them bringing home a weekly paycheck. BUT we do have the Most Amazing successs in improving, focusing, influancing, developing, and helping each and EVERY individual become the best they can become in life ! (Hundreds of past and current student evaluations are on file to prove this) ! Truly Ms. Tamela

In regards to my report above, I was contacted by Tamela Hamilton. She offered me free classes and also apologized to me about the misunderstanding.

I explained to her that I did not want to take any classes but would instead like to receive a full refund which she agreed to.

I sincerely apologize for the defamation of character and insults toward Ms. Tamela and her staff and school. I am very happy with the final outcome of the situation.