AMTC Europe was shut out of the soon-to-be Paris Convention by Lynne Millar, former licensee of the AMTC Europe name. Ms. Millar forced AMTC out of the management of the November event by the consistent withholding of all information and funds necessary for the experienced American team to run it. We could not lift the veil of secrecy from this office, nor from two trips to Europe. Therefore, AMTC had to withdraw Ms. Millar’s license. Following AMTC’s public announcement, Ms. Millar made one of her own.

The announcements of AMTC’s withdrawal of its name and team and Ms. Millar’s alliance with International Talent Showcase (below) both occurred on October 24. Families in the U.K. and Ireland are now faced with confusion and unfamiliar choices. They are being given conflicting accounts from the U.S. office and from Ms. Millar.

How does AMTC’s Christian faith fit into the picture? AMTC’s Christian values are at the center of the conflict, as is evidenced by Ms. Millar’s email below. (Scroll down) God is at the center of AMTC. Christians know what that means. Yet, AMTC welcomes all faiths and all people of good intention.

What does “God is at the center of AMTC” mean to non-Christians? It means Christian values are our core, our goal, and our destination. We are not perfect as people, nor as a company, but we aim for excellence. Christian values are not exclusive to Christians. They are shared by all faiths and people of good conscience; they include truth, patience, kindness, excellence, compassion, humility, and love– loving God and our fellow men more than anything else. We believe these are good values in business.

Does AMTC force Christianity on non-believers? Of course not! Neither did Jesus. Do we look down upon those different from us? No! Neither did Jesus. He loved everyone. He still does. We treat everyone at AMTC with courtesy and respect.

So, what should the good families in the U.K. and Ireland do? They should pray. They should study what is now being presented to them. They should make certain that Lynne Millar’s event will have a sufficient quantity and quality of agents, managers, and casting directors in attendance. If so, they may choose to continue to Paris. Meeting excellent VIP’s in an uplifting environment is a great opportunity, regardless of who is organizing it.

What can AMTC do? We are trying to do the right thing. We are trying to do everything we can. AMTC never collected any fees or funds from Ms. Millar- not for the license and not from contestants. We are not a cash-rich organization. We are a three-generation small family business with an international outreach.

We will offer British and Irish contestants who choose not to attend International Talent Showcase the opportunity to come to AMTC for either of the 2009 events on full scholarship, excluding travel, food, and hotel. We will also send in coach(es) from the U.S. if we have 10 or more contestants wishing to come to either event. This statement has been amended. Please see the bottom of this blog

As a committed Christian, I trust God. I trust that the truth will become known. Until that time, faith is required. Personally, I believe the worst choice for families is to give up. I believe that the good families from Europe with talented contestants will have a good outcome from this challenging situation. We are here. We will help.

If you would like to read AMTC’s two public emails on the reasons for the disassociation of AMTC and Lynne Millar, as well as myths, truth, and advice to the European Contestants, please email Jen Harris.

If anyone (especially from Europe) would like to discuss this challenging situation, please email Carey Arban or telephone my son-in-law, Adam She, who is our Director of Operations at the AMTC office in Atlanta at 678-783-0500.

Lynne Millar’s Public Email to European Contestants

(copied word for word)

From: Lynne Millar
Date: 24/10/2008 23:26:28
To: Karen Ironside
Cc: Sharon McCarthy; robertmorris@morrisfurniture.co.uk
Subject: Dear Contestants…….

Dear Contestants,

We are thrilled & excited to announce to you we have merged with the International Talent Showcase who are the World’s Leading Events Organisers.

There has been numerous operational difficulties & my promise to keep Christianity away from the event was being over ruled & our contestants would have been preached to to promote Carey’s Christian belief’s.

International Talent Showcase are the leading events organisers in the World their CEO Sharon will be happy to answer any questions you may have : sharon@internationaltalentshowcase.com, 001 401-431-6610

We have a fantastic list of VIP’s for you & we are looking forward to the event.

Yours with love,

Lynne Millar,

AMTC Europe Ltd. / International Talent Showcase
0845 299 0842

AMTC’s Additional Statement of October 28, 2008

In addition to offering a scholarshipped AMTC for anyone who does NOT attend the Paris Convention, AMTC will offer a scholarship for anyone who DOES attend and was disappointed in it.

In the potentiality that Ms. Millar cancels the event altogether, we will come to the U.K. and host an AMTC showcase, at no charge to the participants. It won’t be as long as AMTC, but it will be good. We will need help on the U.K. end with details and space, but I know that will be provided. I am confident that all will work out well in any case scenario. We must keep our eyes open, and we must keep our faith- especially when it is challenged.

Carey Arban

We are sorry that AMTC Europe has lost the AMTC name and affiliation. Lynne Millar, event owner, did not fulfill the vital terms of the licensing agreement designed to maintain AMTC standards and protocols. AMTC’s standards are exacting and cannot be compromised. To our best knowledge, Ms. Millar intends to carry forward with the November event under her own creative control. We hope the best success for those attending the Paris convention, but AMTC will not be producing it. If you have questions regarding details of the event, please contact Ms. Millar directly.

Although we did not receive any contestant funds, we care deeply for each contestant’s welfare. The hopes and dreams of the talented U.K. families are important to God, and they are important to us. We would like to hear from the U.K. contestants, if you or they have any questions or concerns which we at AMTC may answer. Our doors are open to you, and we will assist you in any way possible.

If you would like extended details on our disassociation with Lynne Millar, please email Jen Harris, Jen@amtcworld.com or Adam She,
ashe@amtcworld.com. Our office # is 678-783-0500.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit: so that ye shall be my disciples. (John 15:8 KJV)

In Jesus’ own words, we are told to bear much fruit. What type of fruit? Our fruit differs with the gifts that God put inside each one of us. God loves diversity; therefore, He gave us a diversity of gifts. Within AMTC, we see abundant talent. God put a calling within exceptional individuals of all ages to perform: to act, sing, dance or model. Why? To glorify Him with their talents. To bring light into a dark industry. To move others toward Him. God gave stars charisma. We see it on TV, in the movies, on the stage, and in beautiful models. Stars fascinate us. God has a purpose in it, but the purpose can be perverted. Dark forces tempt today’s vulnerable celebrities toward money, power, pride, vanity, and a misuse of their gifts.

What is AMTC’s role? To launch new stars with a passion for God- stars who will set good examples- stars who will shine a divine light to inspire others! When talented individuals deny their gifts, when parents don’t allow their children to perform, frustration sets in. It will only be lifted by following their calling. Tens of thousands of Christian families have held their young performers back, fearing the effects of a dark industry. I believe these parents must root their children in the Word, trust God, and allow them to pursue the calling God put in their hearts!

How else can the world be changed?

See Brandi-Danielle’s Video Performance

I am Glynis Arban’s Mom! So, I am far from impartial. Yet, it’s great to see Millie Lewis’s granddaughter living and thriving in the New York modeling scene six decades after her grandmother’s own career there. However, Glynis is behind the camera- not in front. Still, I remember a small sterling silver teaspoon given as a birth gift from Eileen Ford to Glynis in 1982; the card read, “I look forward to you working with Ford one day.” That card become prophetic as 2008 opened with Glynis shooting the Ford Supermodel of the World competition.

Glynis recently shot and published the Show Package for the Marilyn Agency, one of the top fashion agencies in the world. The models are incredible, of course. The photos speak for themselves. I am attaching several reviews of the package, and, like many women, it’s a great adventure for me to see what the top fashion designers, agents, artists and models present to the world twice a year!

Glynis’s Website

Reviews of the Marilyn Agency Show Package

New York Post Fashion Week by Danica Low “Throughout the week, I’ll be posting my favorites. Let’s start with Marilyn Agency’s ethereal pastel pastiche…”

Models.com “Marilyn hits the SS 09 show market with what just might be its best show package ever. A delicate and ethereal suite of original photographs by Glynis Selina Arban, commissioned exclusively for the package, highlights each girl in gorgeously wistful colors. The feeling is painterly, romantic and note perfect for Spring.”

COACD or Confessions of a Casting Director “WOW, a show package from Marilyn. (COACD) Loves it…”

The Imagist “The Marilyn package blew my socks off because there was an attempt to resonate an idea of Spring: soft colors, a spirit of feminine abstraction and a clever visual rendition that made the girls resemble flowers. Glynis Selina Arban, the photographer of that package, as they say, truly turned it.”

AMTC Regional Director and Owner of Touch of Class, Shelby Allegood, passed away on July 28, 2008, following surgery for intestinal complications. Shelby loved the fashion, modeling, and talent industries, and she loved her students! Her family has suffered a great loss. So have we all. The world has lost a touch of class, but the world’s loss is God’s gain. It’s Shelby’s gain as well. Shelby’s Touch of Class is now another touch of class in heaven. We respect of her contributions to our industry, and we mourn her loss.

Proverbs 13:22 (KJV)
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Shelby left a great inheritance to her family. She left a great inheritance to thousands of students and friends over many years. She built up a Holy Spirit treasure chest, and she passed it along. We all hope for a similar outcome!