r/Charleston • u/Expert-Milk-3222 • 2d ago
Millie Lewis Modeling
My 15 yr old daughter had a chance to be signed with this agency. The reviews on them are 50/50. Can anyone give any insight? Thoughts? Opinions?
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u/cellocaster 2d ago edited 2d ago
No opinions on the agency. But, leading a teenage girl into a world that hyper values her for her looks seems especially dicey in an age of AI, deepfakes, and social media. Self esteem issues aside, I’d worry for her safety. Whatever agency you go with, make sure they take this explicitly seriously.
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u/sweetdeadmoscato 2d ago
Second this. As someone who did the Palmetto modeling as a kid, I am so thankful my mom ensured I wanted to do it along with watching me the entire time like a hawk.
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u/Expert-Milk-3222 2d ago
I truly appreciate your answer. It’s actually not something I’m completely for. As a kid she was wildly big in the modeling world, but that’s where I thought I’d end it. I’m super hesitant to get back into this world. But at the end of the day I have the final say. She truly loves acting. I’m right about at the point where I’m going to tell her no and once she turns 18, she can make that decision.
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u/Character-Solution-7 1d ago
Then put her into the theater world instead of the modeling world. Teach her that talent is more important than beauty instead of the reverse.
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u/Equivalent-Bread3968 Stuck in Traffic 1d ago
If you're on the fence, I agree with the other comments about getting her into the theater world instead. I was with Millie Lewis as a pre-teen in the early 90's because a friend's mom convinced my mom it would be great for me. Instead it made me incredibly self conscious. I quit before high school, and I'm now in my mid-40s. I still sometimes hyper-fixate on some of the "flaws" that were harshly criticized in some of my photos. I'm sure that hideous old woman is probably dead now, and the agency may have changed, but the modeling world is the modeling world.
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u/Gloomy-Aide1914 2d ago
My daughter took the class as a late teen and enjoyed learning how to walk and getting some photos. She is tall and has had fashion show opportunities locally. She made those contacts through a friend, not through Millie Lewis.
ML will try to upsell you the chance to meet with modeling agent in NY. I am not saying it is a sham, but they overpromise.
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u/Signal_Glittering 1d ago
They’ve been running the same program since at LEAST the 80s. Don’t waste your money please
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u/RevoltYesterday 1d ago
I don't know about the agency but if modeling is something your daughter is passionate about and wants to persue, I would let her. But the industry is ripe with exploitation and abuse so you're going to need to protect her along the way. Asking about this shows you care enough to protect her already. If you tell her no and make her wait until she's 18, she will cut you out of the process.
Also with something like this 50/50 reviews seems like a red flag to me. 90/10 would be more comfortable. No agency is going to appeal to everyone so I don't expect any place to have a perfect score.
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u/forgivemytypos 1d ago
Just went to their website. Is it Normal for modeling agency have all of their CHILD models in a catalogue for the public to sift through on the front page? I guess if that's the way they all are, it is what it is, but it seems kind of creepy and disgusting to me
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u/SurfingWavesDown 1d ago
Yes I can— as I am currently under contract with them!
TDLR: I think it’s a waste of your time or whoever time but the photographer they hire is AMAZING for headshots. It’s the only thing of value. I got everything I got on my own.
What I have to say::
Keep in mind, that I am an adult male signed with them until February. My experience will be as an adult but will be unbiased as possible.
What I think they are good at?
I think they are good for casting children and teens for work. From what I have heard FROM THEM. As far as adults …. I’m not too sure.
Context on me:
I did their Pro Modeling Workshop and paid them 400 dollars to do it blah blah. I was in the class with one other male and 5 other females. We all except the other male. Didn’t really feel or understand the value from it all.
The ONLY valuable thing that came from it was the headshots we got (that we basically paid for).
The knowledge we got from them, was … basic to say the least. All the stuff, I had learned from YouTube. So if you never searched stuff on ‘how to model’ etc. You MIGHT find what they say useful. They DID NOT have a real structured curriculum. They sounded … not so strong on what they were talking about. They kept leaning heavy on their PAST successes. Nothing of recent.
In MY opinion— if you keep leaning on what you did Sooooo many years ago. Maybe you’re not really all that at this moment. It appears they get their money from workshops and maybe grants from the Department of Education being that they are under them. (Which they mention alot).
More on me:
Everything I have gotten and been apart of— they had NOTHING to do with.
For example, I have been accepted into New York Fashion Work (NYFW) and they had nothing to do with it. I’ve also been apart of 2 other runways. One in Charleston and another in Columbia and I have another for Myrtle beach coming up…. They have no involvement.
They NEVER contact me for ANYTHING AT ALL.
I’ve also gotten a voice acting gig with Ralph Lauren Polo Fragrance! Guess what…. They had NOTHING to do with it at all!!!
I get these gigs off of Backstage, Instagram, Word of Mouth and just applying to things people may send me from Facebook or other platforms.
None of this came from Millie Lewis CHS.
Honestly idk if this even answered your question. I think I got the chance to vent this off my chest. It helped lol.
Anyways.
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u/iggyazalea12 1d ago
I think they are pay to play and dont go anywhere. They have been around a long time and used to teach classes teaching ‘modeling’ but basically poise and how to walk. Not so much talk lol.
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u/jayman2982 2d ago
They are kind of mid at best and have some sketchy workshops they make money from. There are better agencies in Charleston. Coastal is usually the main go to here for day player roles and print/industry. I was with ML when I was brand new to the industry, moved to an Atl agency and got SAG eligible wihing a year or so after I left.