What Plays in Vegas? iPOP!

John Robert Powers students from Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Miami, and San Diego dominated the coveted awards competition at the 2007 iPOP! (International Presentation of Performers) Convention held in Las Vegas. The spectacular Venetian Hotel, playing host to the iPOP! bi-annual event for the first time, threw out their welcome mat to several major VIP guests, including Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, as well as the nearly 1,200 iPOP! modeling, acting, singing, and dancing contestants who arrived full of hopes of becoming America’s next big star. They, along with industry representatives, parents, and chaperones, comprised well over 2,500 people who enjoyed a week-long iPOP! convention that would strive to discover the next big talents.

Participants ranging in ages from 6 to 25 years old arrived in Las Vegas to take advantage of the opportunity to audition for and be coached by some of the entertainment industry’s top agents, managers, and talent scouts from William Morris Agency, Universal Music Group, Geffen Records, Hollywood Records, iModels, Brown Leader Management, Elite Models, and many other entertainment companies. Call-backs were the prizes sought by all contestants seeking the big break on the Venetian’s stage that could propel them into a professional singing, modeling, or performance career.

Hollywood Matchmakers
Famous alumni who have come through either the school or the John Robert Powers agencies include First Ladies Jackie Kennedy and Betty Ford, Princess Grace of Monaco, actresses Raquel Welch, Lucille Ball, Ann Margaret, and Faith Ford, actor Josh Duhamel, singer Diana Ross, and models/actors Janice Dickinson, Ryan Locke, and Nikki Taylor.

Behind these impressive success stories are two shining partners in the starmaking pantheon. International Presentation of Performers is the successful merger of fashion and modeling with the music and entertainment industry, creating one of the largest and most well respected showcases for promising talent. iPOP! provides a unique and intense workshop environment for young talent to learn their trade from top professionals in their fields.

John Robert Powers is an internationally recognized school system with locations throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. For more than 80 years, John Robert Powers has been training students in acting, singing, dancing, modeling and etiquette. Emphasizing personality development, John Robert Powers provides every student with the schooling, guidance, and confidence to further their individual potential and reach their highest career goals.

Another Dynamic Duo
iPOP! Las Vegas 2007 highlights included the return of the choreography team of Jeri Slaughter and Paul Morente, who lead the iDance iPOP! division. With a degree in dance and theater, this pair has collectively amassed credits and accolades that have made them ingenious innovators in their field. They have appeared in dozens of commercials, sharing the stage with artist such as Janet Jackson and Jennifer Lopez, and most recently worked on Christina Aguilera’s last world concert tour and her “Dirrty” music video, which garnered nominations and wins at the Video Music Awards. As actors and dancers, Slaughter and Morente have had guest-starring roles in top shows such as Friends and Will and Grace, and are currently developing a sitcom.

iPOP! President Joseph Beauchamp and Vice President Tiffany Rochel were thrilled with the results from the competitions, and gave Las Vegas and The Venetian Hotel extra credit for their professionalism and organizational services in their first hosting of iPOP!. Said Beauchamp, “The size of the convention area, along with the Venetian staff’s attention to detail, made for a very pleasant environment and experience for iPOP! management and participants.”