Barbizon Modeling and Acting School
| Barbizon Modeling and Acting School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
 | |
26°16′09″N 80°14′58″W / 26.269141°N 80.249429°W | |
| Information | |
| Type | Acting and modeling school |
| Established | 1939 in New York City, New York, United States |
| Website | barbizonmodeling |
Barbizon Modeling and Acting School is an international modeling and acting school headquartered in Tampa, Florida.[1][2][3][4][5] It operates through licensed and franchised schools offering modeling, acting, and personal development courses. Alumni include Condoleezza Rice, Carmen Electra, and Ryan Phillippe. Barbizon established a college scholarship program in 1992 for students attending colleges and universities in the United States.[6] The company has been the subject of class action lawsuits alleging deceptive business practices.[7]
History
[edit]Helen Fraser opened the first Barbizon School of Modeling and Acting in 1939 on Fifth Avenue in New York City.[8] 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.[9]
By 1973, Barbizon reported 37 franchisees in 18 U.S. states.[10]
Programs and operations
[edit]Barbizon operates centers in over 200 cities across the United States. Most Barbizon locations serve students aged 8 to 19, with weekend instruction over six months totaling about 48 hours; the company also offers industry placement services.[11]
In 1992, Barbizon established a college scholarship program for students attending colleges and universities in the United States.[12][13]
Reception and criticism
[edit]In 2010, Illinois residents filed a class action lawsuit against a Barbizon franchise, alleging that its courses were worthless and that it misrepresented students' job prospects.[7] According to the case record of the firm that defended Barbizon, the suit was resolved through a class-wide settlement.[14] In 2016, a class action complaint filed in California accused the school of marketing its programs to children with false claims, citing the state's laws on advance-fee talent representation services and unfair competition.[15] The case was settled.[citation needed]
A 2022 Tampa Bay Times feature on the company noted its longevity and its mixed reputation.[11]
Notable alumni
[edit] | This section needs more citations. (June 2021) |
- Audrey Marie Anderson
- Nicole Gale Anderson
- David Archuleta – American Idol contestant
- Moisés Arias
- Drew Tyler Bell
- Haley Bennett
- Logan Browning
- Caressa Cameron – Miss America 2010
- Carmen Electra[a]
- Sean Faris
- Lyndsy Fonseca
- Isabel Gravitt
- Julie Henderson – model
- Madison Iseman
- June Kirby – actress and model[16]
- Karen Montell – politician and model[17]
- Gena Lee Nolin[b]
- Tera Patrick – pornographic actress and model
- Ryan Phillippe
- Giuliana Rancic – entertainment journalist
- Condoleezza Rice – former U.S. Secretary of State[c]
- Zach Roerig
- Sofia Vassilieva
- Jill Wagner
- Faye Wong
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- Notes
- Citations
- ↑ Jackson, Shaaron (2010). Teen Age Guide to Self-Development and Modeling: Start Working Toward a Better You. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 978-1-4535-0439-0.
- 1 2 Bumiller, Elisabeth (2009). Condoleezza Rice: An American Life. Random House. p. 64. ISBN 978-0-8129-7713-4.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "The Barbizon Advantage". Pageantry Magazine.
- ↑ "Barbizon USA, Inc. and Subsidiary and Affiliates – Financial Statements (years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016)" (PDF). Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ↑ Scholarships, Grants & Prizes 2012. Peterson's. August 15, 2012. ISBN 978-0-7689-3581-3.
- 1 2 Freeland, Bridget (June 25, 2010). "Class Calls Barbizon School 'Worthless'". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ↑ "Barbizon Modeling and Agency 1939 to Unveil Audience on Demand Crowd Placement Service". March 6, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- ↑ Fraser, Helen (1950). Assignment in Modeling: A Guide to a Career in Fashion and Photographic Modeling. Whittlesey House.
- ↑ Franchise Opportunities Handbook (PDF) (Report). Office of Minority Business Enterprise, U.S. Department of Commerce. September 1973. p. 101. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- 1 2 Carlton, Sue. "Tampa's Barbizon USA continues the 'be a model or just look like one' legacy". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ↑ Peterson's (August 15, 2012). Scholarships, Grants & Prizes 2012. Peterson's. ISBN 978-0-7689-3581-3.
- ↑ Houpt, Paige. "Allen Park: High School Student Earns $100,000 Scholarship". The News Herald.
- ↑ "Class Action Litigation". DiTommaso Lubin, PC. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Acting School Accused of Targeting Kids with False Claims". Deadline. Hollywood. March 31, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
- ↑ Claesson, Samuel (March 31, 2023). Top Models. Sequoia Press. p. 22. ISBN 979-8-88992-180-6.
- ↑ "Karen Montell". Ballotpedia. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ↑ Nolin, Gena Lee (October 8, 2013). Beautiful Inside and Out: Conquering Thyroid Disease with a Healthy, Happy, "Thyroid Sexy" Life. Simon and Schuster. p. 19. ISBN 978-1-4516-8722-4.