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Unusual Request by Father of 12-Year-Old Breakout Star Raises Eyebrows

Oct 4, 2016  •  Post A Comment

The father of a young actress who stars in a breakout role in a new series has reportedly demanded a payment of $100,000 up front from agencies that are interested in signing her. The actress is 12-year-old Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven on Netflix’s hit summer series “Stranger Things.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, her father, Robert Brown, has been seeking a signing fee from potential agents. “Given the 12-year-old Brit’s status as perhaps the most buzzworthy young actor on a hot new show, there is intense interest from all the major agencies, which have mobilized in recent weeks to sign her,” THR reports, noting that Millie left Paradigm’s kids division earlier in the year.

“Sources at five separate agencies tell The Hollywood Reporter the elder Brown, who goes by Bobby, made it clear in conversations with them that a sizable cash payment would be necessary for Millie to sign with that agency,” THR reports. “Two sources say the number floated by Brown was $100,000 up front.”

THR adds: “The move is raising eyebrows among even the most seasoned agents because, while not necessarily illegal, ‘it is completely unorthodox,’ says one agency source. Agents have been known to reduce the traditional 10 percent commission charged clients in order to sign in-demand talent, but a payment up front ‘would open a Pandora’s box,’ says another veteran of a major agency, ‘and we just would never go there.'”

Here’s a trailer for “Stranger Things,” which also stars Winona Ryder, David Harbour and Finn Wolfhard …

One Comment

  1. “…but a payment up front ‘would open a Pandora’s box,’ says another veteran of a major agency, ‘and we just would never go there.’” That veteran of a major agency may never go there, but I’m willing to bet that if some agent or agency thinks the kid is good enough, they will pay the $100,000.00. Only one agent or agency has to break the agency code of non-pre-payment and “Pandora’s box” indeed will have been opened. It will be interesting how this plays out.

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