America's Next Top Model

Since ANTM Cycle 17: All-Stars disqualified Angelea Preston and re-shot the finale, we here at Wetpaint Entertainment have been following the disenfranchised model’s next delicate steps. As we reported on December 8th, a talent management group called The IT Factor Productions had announced (and then quickly canceled) a press conference during which Angelea would speak about the show and what happened.

A spokesperson for The IT Factor claimed in a press release that Angelea “cav[ed] under pressure from the network to keep quiet.”

After speaking to Jeff Cohen, president of Model Management Group, we were told that The IT Factor had no right to authorize a press conference on behalf of Angelea. According to Jeff, Angelea had never even been told about the press conference until after it was announced.

With both MMG and The IT Factor claiming that they were closely involved in planning Angelea’s next moves, we spoke to each company once again to get some clarification.

The IT Factor is part of a talent management conglomerate run by entrepreneur Alycia Kaback. Their spokesperson told us, “On Thursday, Alycia Kaback spoke with Angelea on the phone about what steps Angelea was going to take to come forward with her side of the story. On Friday, Angelea changed her mind, a decision The IT Factor respects.” Also, they referred to their affiliate, Colby Models: “Colby has booked Angelea on jobs, which were paid jobs for clients not affiliated with The IT Factor.”

As for MMG, Jeff told us in a phone interview, “It's pretty obvious when you go on ANTM you have to sign confidentiality agreements... If anyone talks about the show it ruins the show, any conversations at all, anywhere, any time. The fact that [The IT Factor was] going to have her violate her contract shows they didn’t care about Angelea.”

He pointed to the fact that, as of December 12th, Angelea had three employers listed on her Facebook page: The IT Factor Productions, Colby Models, and MMG. But the next day, she only listed MMG, having removed the other two.

So what does this mean about the disqualification? Well, MMG already told us that the rumors about Angelea blabbing about her alleged win on Facebook was not the reason Angelea was disqualified. MMG also told us that they want Angelea to speak with an attorney to find out “what her rights are.” We may never know the real reason Angelea was disqualified unless the CW decides to release her from her contract.

Wetpaint Entertainment reached out the CW for a comment on the cancelled press conference but they declined to comment.