Barbizon Modeling and Acting School

Barbizon Modeling and Acting School
Location
Tampa, Florida
Information
Type	Acting and modeling school
Established	1939(86 years ago) (1939) in New York City, New York, United States
Website	www.barbizonmodeling.com

Barbizon Modeling and Acting School is an international modeling and acting school headquartered in Tampa, Florida. The school provides instructional courses in the domain of modeling and personal development. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

History

Helen Fraser opened the first Barbizon School of Modeling and Acting in 1939 on Fifth Avenue in New York City. ^[5] The Barbizon name was developed from her trips to the French town of Barbizon, a village outside of Paris known for the 19th-century Barbizon school of painters. Fraser was a fashion model and teacher who also wrote the book Assignment in Modeling: A Guide to a Career in Fashion and Photographic Modeling. ^[6]

Locations

Barbizon Modeling and Acting Centers are located in more than 200 cities across the United States. International locations include Bangkok, Toronto, Santo Domingo and Japan.

Controversies

Barbizon School of Modeling and Acting has faced allegations of deceptive business practices. In 2010, a group of Illinois parents filed a class action lawsuit against Barbizon School alleging that the instruction that their children were given was "totally worthless" and that "only 1 percent or less" of the school's graduates actually get modeling jobs. ^[7] In 2016, another class action was filed in California. Plaintiffs in this suit accused Barbizon of engaging in an illegal advance-fee talent representation scheme. ^[8] Barbizon vehemently denied the claims of both the 2010 and 2016 lawsuits. While the cases were eventually settled, Barbizon continues to be dogged by claims that it is a "scam." The very first "commonly asked" question on the school's website is "Is Barbizon a scam?" ^[9]

College scholarship

In 1992, Barbizon initiated a college scholarship program, paying up to $100,000 of tuition ^[10] to scholarship recipients for any college or university in the United States. ^[11]

Notable alumni

• Nicole Gale Anderson
• David Archuleta ( American Idol contestant)
• Moisés Arias
• Drew Tyler Bell
• Haley Bennett
• Caressa Cameron – (Miss America 2010)
• Carmen Electra (thanked Barbizon in her self-help book)
• Sean Faris
• Lyndsy Fonseca
• Julie Henderson (model)
• June Kirby - actress and model ^[12]
• Karen Montell - politician and model ^[13]
• Gena Lee Nolin – named Miss Barbizon ^[14]
• Condoleezza Rice – former U.S. Secretary of State; in Elisabeth Bumiller's biography of Rice, Barbizon is referenced as one of Rice's early stepping stones ^[15]
• Zach Roerig
• Sofia Vassilieva
• Ryan Phillippe
• Giuliana Rancic (entertainment journalist)
• Audrey Marie Anderson
• Tera Patrick (pornographic actress and model)

See also

• Fashion portal
• New York City portal
• Schools portal

• Lists of schools

References

1. Jackson, Shaaron (2010). Teen Age Guide to Self-Development and Modeling: Start Working Toward A Better You. ISBN   9781453504390.
2. Bumiller, Elisabeth (2009). Condoleezza Rice: An American Life . Random House. p.  64.
3. Figueroa-Jones, Madeline. "Interview With PLUS Model Magazine Cover Model… Valerie Lefkowitz". Plus Model Magazine. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
4. "The Barbizon Advantage". Pageantry Magazine.
5. "Barbizon Modeling and Agency 1939 to Unveil Audience on Demand Crowd Placement Service" . Retrieved April 26, 2015.
6. Fraser, Helen (1950). Assignment in modeling: A Guide to a Career in Fashion and Photographic Modeling. Whittlesey House.
7. Freeland, Bridget (June 25, 2010). "Class Calls Barbizon School 'Worthless'". Courthouse News. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
8. "Acting School Accused Of Targeting Kids With False Claims". Deadline. Hollywood. March 31, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
9. "FAQ". Barbizon Modeling.
10. Peterson's (August 15, 2012). Scholarships, Grants & Prizes 2012. Peterson's. ISBN   9780768935813.
11. Houpt, Paige. "Allen Park: High School Student Earns $100,000 Scholarship". The News Herald .
12. Samuel Claesson (March 31, 2023). Top Models. Sequoia Press. p. 22. ISBN   9798889921806.
13. "Karen Montell". Ballotpedia. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
14. Nolin, Gena Lee (October 8, 2013). Beautiful Inside and Out: Conquering Thyroid Disease with a Healthy, Happy, "Thyroid Sexy" Life. p. 19. ISBN   9781451687224.
15. Bumiller, Elisabeth (2009). Condoleezza Rice: An American Life . Random House. p.  64.

• 26°16′09″N80°14′58″W / 26.269141°N 80.249429°W / 26.269141; -80.249429 in Tampa, Florida