Edit: 10/31/25 I find it concerning that two reviews are added (after mine) that are new accounts, no avatar, one review, that praise TME. One states they've worked with TME before but they're only now reviewing them? I call BS. There will always be someone who praises entities that prey on others...their experience may well have been positive and I don't argue that; but, supporting such a business that is obviously predatory and to do so as these last two (one review accounts) have done, is suspect. Pay heed, people.
Original review:
10/17/25
There are reputable modeling agencies out there that hopefuls should take the time to find and apply to. TME is NOT a modeling agency...it's in the name, they're an 'experience' that has nothing to do with the industry.
However, unfortunately, they are an expensive experience that doesn't really prepare anyone for the runway's of the world. It's more of a predatory experience where they require you to 'sell tickets' (so they can get rich) and will demand you repay the difference if you don't sell them all. Fact is, that those attendees lining the runway are moms and pops, family and friends, basically anyone feeling sorry for you and willing to purchase a ticket. Some hopefuls just pay the difference if they can't find enough purchasers. How degrading is that?!
The 'training' to walk class offered is by some lessor celebrity who feels entitled to teach for 5 minutes some basics. Some hopefuls feel this is an awesome experience while others are not so impressed and wondering why they had to 'pay to play' in an industry known for paying models to walk for them.
THIS IS NOT THE INDUSTRY. IT IS NOT REAL. TME is one of many businesses popping up that have adopted predatory practicies to milk desperate, aspiring models, by putting on flashy (party) events and selling tickets, charging the designers and various vendors $$$ with various fee structures included on an on-going basis, etc. It's quite profitable and there seems to be an endless supply of hopefuls out there to grift.
Additionally, these businesses can be rather hostile. You have to sell all tickets or they come after you for the difference with threats (perhaps there's a legal document that empowers them?) and this 'fee to play' is often over $500! You have to wear whatever the designer requires...even if it's completely wrong for your body type, etc. If you say no to the outfit you don't walk (even if you sold all your tickets!) You're also expected to pay a fee for photos with some reporting never receiving their images! And some participants have reported having their possessions stolen - one even claimed a designer ran off with some item of clothing. Seems the security there is lax.
Overall, I would never recommend TME to anyone I actually cared about. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone I didn't care about - I'm not that guy. But for some, it appears to be an exciting and rewarding experience; and, I challenge that many of those people likely have far lower expectations or were somewhat privileged - as some certainly have been - and that may be for a variety of reasons; but, one that comes to mind is plausible deniability: if some feel well-rewarded they'll likely write supportive reviews and make it seem TME isn't all that bad. In my experience, the 'community types' who are more interested in BTS and cosplaying being a model, are the ones attracted to TME - they love to party and pretend they're all celebrities on the runway and in front of the amateur photographers TME hosts. read more