Many talented stars have opened up about being denied roles after refusing to sleep with directors, producers or casting agents. Businesswoman, transgender Activist and celebrity healer, Tyra Sindane also known as Gogo Manzini, has launched a talent management agency to train, groom and prepare young talent for the world stage and to put a stop to couch-casting and the exploitation of young talent.

EXPLOITATION

Tyra says growing up, she wanted to be a star and was once asked to audition for an agency. But once she joined, she was constantly being asked to pay exorbitant fees. "I had not been working. I was not sure why they would demand so many fees if they had not found work for me, so I was basically being exploited," she says. "I learned later that yes indeed I was being exploited and I left." Tyra says she spent over R10 000 on fees but never got a single voice over or acting job.

GROOMING & EDUCATING

This year Tyra launched KOS Casting Agency to help groom talented individuals but also teach them about the ins and outs of the entertainment business. "Many stars don't know their rights, all they know is how to do great voice-overs, how to present, sing or act but don't know that they need media training and a bit of business training and that is what I want to help with," she says.

Tyra's husband Brian Sindane, an actor on Icala, has also been through his fair share of exploitation and uses his skill to assist rising stars. "I have myself been through it all and I have seen how our stars die poor because of lack of knowledge," he says. "Other actors don't know how to negotiate fees and end up selling themselves short because they do not have good representation."