In July 2015, my 18 year old son was signed with ICON Model Agency in Toronto. At this meeting the agent Riz was asked us to pay upfront a fee of $700.00 for a session with a photgrapher to build my sons portfolio. As a parent I asked if we could read the contract before signing, but the agent Riz, pressured us not to. I unfortunately signed, and lost my $700.00.
My son attended his scheduled appointment with a "professional Photographer" and completed his photo shoot. After a month, we finally phoned to see if they were completed. We attended the agency in Toronto and picked up the comp cards. The photos were very amateurish and cheap looking. When my son went in to the office to pick up the photos, Riz the agent tried to hit him for more money claiming for administrative fees. He declined.
Months went by, no phone calls, no modeling jobs and not even a "go see". I called and asked why there was no more contact with them. Riz claimed that my son almost got a job, but someone else beat him who had a better portfolio.
It has been almost a year, and we have not heard anything from this agency. Nothing! I feel it is the responsibility of an agency to at least try to promote their models. A contract is between two people, not one sided. This agency does nothing for the model, once they have received your money.
If you look at their ICON Face Page, I noticed they took down the ability to comment. Before taking down the comment section, other models were commenting on this agency with negative comments. Their solution to hide the negative comments were to remove the ability to comment.
I also noticed that they use many pictures of international models to promote their business from European countries to promote ICON Model Agency Toronto on their web site and social media pages i.e. Instgram, Twitter and Facebook. However, these models are not with the Toronto Icon Modeling agency they are with European ICON agencies.
As a parent, I am asking you to not repeat my mistake. I should have known better, and went with my gut feeling when I first met with ICON Model Agency in Toronto. ICON Modeling Agency has been previously sited for unprofessional business practices, and unfortunately they have have continued to do so.
I had similar interactions with Icon after I signed up as a male model. Initially, Riz told me how I fit into a male model look and he will be able to arrange modelling jobs representing me for different cultural looks etc. Also I paid $700 upfront for a photo shoot that wasn't even professional. The photographer was an amateur and I am sure Icon had share in that money too. Later Riz asked me for more money for random stuff but i declined. I signed with them about a year and half ago and so far I haven't made a penny. Also, this girl Caroline who handles all management inquiries/castings at Icon is not at all polite. She is very rude over the phone and doesn't know how to handle talent. No ethical code whatsoever. The contract mentioned a 24 hour notice period but they always call within 8-10 hours. Honestly I am sick of these guys. I know bunch of other guy friends who signed up with them around the same time and they have similar experiences with Icon Models Toronto.
Please do not sign up if you want to save your time and money.
Riz is a thief! He charged me almost $1000.00 for absolutely nothing. The photographer took armature pictures and made rude comments too. Riz has a desk filled with pictures of models to make it look like he's actually doing something. Preying on the hopes an dreams of young people is totally wrong. Unfortunately I'm stuck in a contract for 2 years. He was sure to mention that the competition out there is stiff and nothing is guaranteed, but if you sign models , you should promote them on your social media for them to get noticed, but as others have said, he's using models from the European agencies, not Toronto. I wish I had done more research. You should never have to pay anything up front. It seems like everyone who walks in his office is signed. When waiting in the waiting room, you know who has fallen for the scam when you see him retrieving the forms from the printer. I believe in Karma. This business should be closed. SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!
My experience with Icon hasn't been pleasant at all from the time I signed up as a male model. Initially, Riz told me how I fit into a male model look and he will be able to arrange modelling jobs representing me for different cultural looks etc. Also I paid $700 upfront for a photo shoot that wasn't even professional. The photographer was an amateur and I am sure Icon had share in that money too. Later Riz asked me for more money for random stuff but i declined. I signed with them about a year and half ago and so far I haven't made a penny. Also, this girl Caroline who handles all management inquiries/castings at Icon is not at all polite. She is very rude over the phone and doesn't know how to handle talent. No ethical code whatsoever. She tells you how you don't have the face to be a model. I said then why do you guys lure people first to give you the money. The contract mentioned a 24 hour notice period but they always call within 8-10 hours. Honestly I am sick of these guys. I know bunch of other guy friends who signed up with them around the same time and they have similar experiences with Icon Models Toronto.
ICON Models Reviews
In July 2015, my 18 year old son was signed with ICON Model Agency in Toronto. At this meeting the agent Riz was asked us to pay upfront a fee of $700.00 for a session with a photgrapher to build my sons portfolio. As a parent I asked if we could read the contract before signing, but the agent Riz, pressured us not to. I unfortunately signed, and lost my $700.00.
My son attended his scheduled appointment with a "professional Photographer" and completed his photo shoot. After a month, we finally phoned to see if they were completed. We attended the agency in Toronto and picked up the comp cards. The photos were very amateurish and cheap looking. When my son went in to the office to pick up the photos, Riz the agent tried to hit him for more money claiming for administrative fees. He declined.
Months went by, no phone calls, no modeling jobs and not even a "go see". I called and asked why there was no more contact with them. Riz claimed that my son almost got a job, but someone else beat him who had a better portfolio.
It has been almost a year, and we have not heard anything from this agency. Nothing! I feel it is the responsibility of an agency to at least try to promote their models. A contract is between two people, not one sided. This agency does nothing for the model, once they have received your money.
If you look at their ICON Face Page, I noticed they took down the ability to comment. Before taking down the comment section, other models were commenting on this agency with negative comments. Their solution to hide the negative comments were to remove the ability to comment.
I also noticed that they use many pictures of international models to promote their business from European countries to promote ICON Model Agency Toronto on their web site and social media pages i.e. Instgram, Twitter and Facebook. However, these models are not with the Toronto Icon Modeling agency they are with European ICON agencies.
As a parent, I am asking you to not repeat my mistake. I should have known better, and went with my gut feeling when I first met with ICON Model Agency in Toronto. ICON Modeling Agency has been previously sited for unprofessional business practices, and unfortunately they have have continued to do so.
Agreed, ICON Models is a total SCAM
I had similar interactions with Icon after I signed up as a male model. Initially, Riz told me how I fit into a male model look and he will be able to arrange modelling jobs representing me for different cultural looks etc. Also I paid $700 upfront for a photo shoot that wasn't even professional. The photographer was an amateur and I am sure Icon had share in that money too. Later Riz asked me for more money for random stuff but i declined. I signed with them about a year and half ago and so far I haven't made a penny. Also, this girl Caroline who handles all management inquiries/castings at Icon is not at all polite. She is very rude over the phone and doesn't know how to handle talent. No ethical code whatsoever. The contract mentioned a 24 hour notice period but they always call within 8-10 hours. Honestly I am sick of these guys. I know bunch of other guy friends who signed up with them around the same time and they have similar experiences with Icon Models Toronto.
Please do not sign up if you want to save your time and money.
SCAM
Riz is a thief! He charged me almost $1000.00 for absolutely nothing. The photographer took armature pictures and made rude comments too. Riz has a desk filled with pictures of models to make it look like he's actually doing something. Preying on the hopes an dreams of young people is totally wrong. Unfortunately I'm stuck in a contract for 2 years. He was sure to mention that the competition out there is stiff and nothing is guaranteed, but if you sign models , you should promote them on your social media for them to get noticed, but as others have said, he's using models from the European agencies, not Toronto. I wish I had done more research. You should never have to pay anything up front. It seems like everyone who walks in his office is signed. When waiting in the waiting room, you know who has fallen for the scam when you see him retrieving the forms from the printer. I believe in Karma. This business should be closed. SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!
ICON Models Worthless
My experience with Icon hasn't been pleasant at all from the time I signed up as a male model. Initially, Riz told me how I fit into a male model look and he will be able to arrange modelling jobs representing me for different cultural looks etc. Also I paid $700 upfront for a photo shoot that wasn't even professional. The photographer was an amateur and I am sure Icon had share in that money too. Later Riz asked me for more money for random stuff but i declined. I signed with them about a year and half ago and so far I haven't made a penny. Also, this girl Caroline who handles all management inquiries/castings at Icon is not at all polite. She is very rude over the phone and doesn't know how to handle talent. No ethical code whatsoever. She tells you how you don't have the face to be a model. I said then why do you guys lure people first to give you the money. The contract mentioned a 24 hour notice period but they always call within 8-10 hours. Honestly I am sick of these guys. I know bunch of other guy friends who signed up with them around the same time and they have similar experiences with Icon Models Toronto.