The 1st and 2nd prize winners of 2001 L.A. Looks Model Search have filed a law suit in Manhattan Federal Court against the contest’s sponsors. The suit accuses New York Model Management, L.A. Models and Heinz Holba, fashionista and founder of the agencies, as well as multi-national corporation Schwarzkopf & DEP that co-sponsored the contest, of fraud and breach of contract.
6-feet-tall Jessica Kuncl and male model Nic Bezuszka won $100,000 and $50,000 in the contest respectively along with two-year modeling contracts and promised appearances in an L.A. Looks ad or and an appearance on NBC TV’s “Just Shoot Me”, but so far haven’t received anything, except being represented by N.Y. Models. Moreover, as said the models’ attorney Anthony A. LoPresti, of Meltzer LoPresti www.meltzerlopresti.com, there were so many hidden fees in their contracts that, in Kuncl’s case, she was asked to pay back $20,000.
When asked by LoPresti why their 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners have never been paid, Holba blurted out “how about illicit drug use?”
The model’s attorney said that #147after that callous, unfounded and atypical remark, we have considered adding defamation to this lawsuit”, reports VerboseComa.
“What hurts me the most is that not only have these kids been taken advantage of, but their families who supported them as well. For example, Jessica, who was only 14 when she won the contest, had a wonderfully supportive mom and dad who travelled the world with her, went to castings, go-sees and spent considerable money for their daughter’s dream. Then they got a bill for $20,000.00! What confused them was that not only did she win the “$100,000.00 grand prize”, but she was working as well. According to Holba, they didn’t live up to their part of the bargain. But just last week, they sent her a letter explaining how wonderful she is, how promising her career is, and how her contract is still in place. It makes no sense. Nic, the 2nd place winner, had a soccer scholarship at the time. They told him to let it go, because he would make a lot of money. He never received a dime. It’s simply a shame.“
“L.A. Models touts itself as ’one of the most powerful and successful agencies in the industry”, said LoPresti, “yet they have no excuse for denying these kids what is owed them.”