The Fake Promise of Turning Children Into Disney Stars
A business organization that promises to help parents turn their children into Disney stars at an event that will soon take place in Melbourne should be approached with caution by parents.
Parents in Australia are seeing a sponsored post on Facebook that asks children to audition for the “chance to meet Disney Channel stars.” The post encourages children to submit their applications for the “chance to meet Disney Channel stars.”
“Has your kid ever told you that they want to be a star on Disney Channel? “Want to be like Disney Stars We are going to make our way to Melbourne! according to the post.
Users who click the link are taken to an “audition form,” where they are questioned about whether or not they would like the opportunity to “meet stars like Ariana Grande or Skai Jackson.”
“Be one of the first 200 callers right now to schedule your audition if you’re a huge fan of the Disney Channel and shows like ‘Jessie’ or ‘Bunk’d’,” the casting director said. The website is very encouraging.
The one and only obstacle? Premiere is an independent company that is not connected in any way to Disney.
This point was driven home by a representative from the channel.
According to a spokesperson who spoke to Mamamia on behalf of The Walt Disney Company and Disney Channel, “The recent child talent auditions that have been advertised as taking place across Australia are in no way associated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company or Disney Channel.”
This point was driven home by a representative from Disney.
According to a spokesperson who spoke to Mamamia on behalf of The Walt Disney Company and Disney Channel, “The recent child talent auditions that have been advertised as taking place across Australia are in no way associated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company or Disney Channel.”
Evaluation Weekends are events that are held by the company in both Australia and other countries. During these events, children are evaluated to determine whether or not they are qualified to join Premiere and become like Disney stars.
Two of Louise Hedges’ teenage daughters attended the sessions in August of the previous year and stated that reports the company misled parents were untrue. Louise Hedges is a business owner in Sydney.
Ms Hedges stated that the company made it clear that there was no connection between them and Disney to become stars.
“There is no other way that I am aware of for your child to audition in front of thirty to fifty international agents, all claiming to turn your children into stars” the agent said. “I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Ms. Hedges stated that her eldest daughter Amanda, who is now 17 years old, attended Premiere’s showcase event in July and subsequently signed with an agent in Sydney. Since then, Amanda has appeared in a number of television commercials and other roles.
She stated that she had not made any promises to her daughters about the outcomes of the showcase, and that the fees, which ranged from approximately $1,900 to $4000, were not prohibitively expensive.
However, the mother from Sydney added that she would advise other parents not to take out loans in order to pay for their children’s participation in extracurricular activities.
According to the frequently asked questions page on its website, Premiere does encourage parents to sign up for payment plans.
“Families that are able to make an up-front payment can save themselves hundreds of dollars over the course of the year. Those customers who select a payment option and agree to pay a finance charge do so in exchange for the flexibility to organise their financial affairs in a manner that is conducive to the needs of their families “the website states this.
According to an article published in 2011 by the US newspaper First Coast News, Disney’s senior vice president Patti McTeague addressed the claims that were made by an event in Jacksonville, Florida that sounded very similar.
“Disney Channel is not affiliated with any acting school or acting workshop, and has not authorised a talent search in Jacksonville, Florida,” Ms. McTeague said. “Disney Channel has not authorised a talent search in Jacksonville, Florida.”
“There are two ways for talent to get hired at Disney: through agents or through authorised casting calls,”
When you accept an invitation to Premiere, the company’s website states that it will “attempt to be as transparent as possible with the services that you are purchasing.”
Additionally, the website references a number of children. Premiere has assisted its members in securing work on television and in commercials, including roles in some Disney shows; however, these members are not the well-known celebrities who are used to promote the group.
FOR MORE ARTICLES, PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK
