Reality bites for modeling hopefuls

We wanted to find Gemase Simmons and ask him about his career as a reality show producer, ask why he apparently never paid his camera crews, ask about the allegations of sexual impropriety and finally ask: Was he just a wannabe TV mogul or did he have some other motives for gathering young, attractive hopefuls?

We checked for updates on his MySpace page and saw an announcement that his reality show would be airing on Mother's Day, a bizarre claim since by now we had most of the videotape the unpaid camera crews had shot.

But we also saw this posting, a solicitation for new models.

So we enlisted the help of Houston resident Shelley Keys to help us find Gemase. At our request, she responded to the ad with a few personal snapshots.

Shelley Keys: Gemase sent me back a e-mail saying he wanted actually pictures in my underwear. 

She didn't send any underwear photos, but soon our would-be model started getting calls from someone claiming to be Gemase's intern, Chris.

But Shelley says the person on the phone sounded suspiciously like Gemase himself.

We also noticed that the emails Shelly got had a new company name, no longer Gemase, but something called Muse Models.

Turns out, Shelly was told that she was talking to a brand new modeling agency, but apparently this new enterprise had no real offices.

Keys (on the phone): "So there's no way I can drop any pictures off in person to anybody..."

It sure seemed like Gemase Simmons was up to his old tricks---but this time trying to cover his tracks, changing his company name and pretending to be someone else.  Was he?

He also seemed to be avoiding meeting our would-be model in person.

Keys: Well, you were talking about, like a mixer tomorrow or something like that?

So where was he?

Well, We found out that Gemase had moved into a Houston apartment complex, so I went looking for him there.

We were too late, he'd moved out just 2 days earlier.

We thought we'd reached a dead end.  But, later that same day, our volunteer Shelly got a surprise call. 

Shelly was invited to a meeting with a group of girls who Gemase called his assistants.  They met in the lobby of a Houston hotel.

A "Dateline" producer went along, carrying a hidden camera.

The meeting appeared to be some sort of job interview and the girls were there to screen prospects.

And while there was some confusion over whom they were all working for, it was clear that they were talking about Gemase, and that they'd bought into his story.

Assistant: He's like Tyra Banks. He's not as well known. He's coming out with a reality show.

But where was Gemase and would we ever meet him?

Soon after the meeting in the hotel lobby, our volunteer Shelly got a call from one of the assistants inviting her, our Dateline producer to a party at this high-rise apartment building.

Our would-be model and "Dateline" producer went upstairs to the party and let us know that Gemase was indeed there, on a roof deck drinking champagne and talking to seven young women. 

We decided to go upstairs too and try to ask Gemase some questions...

It was pitch black on the patio when I introduced myself...

Gemase Simmons: I'll just be a second

Hansen: Ok thanks.

He readily agreed to an interview, but excused himself for a moment and probably no surprise, never came back.

Gemase was no where to be seen, but the party was apparently over.

Most of the women didn't want to say much as they left.

Marcela: I have to go but he is a great person and we have a great modeling agency.

But this woman was happy to talk. She had just met Gemase through an ad on Craig's List.

Selina:  Actually, today is my very first day.

Hansen: Oh it's your first day.

Selina: Yes (laugh).

Hansen: And what has Gemase promised you?

Selina: I wouldn't say he has promised us anything. 

And this woman, sporting a short haircut, we later realized had been part of the original reality show cast. She tells Dateline that while she was a little disappointed the show never aired, she has no complaints about the experience and considers Gemase a friend.

Had Gemase Simmons changed his ways?

Maybe not.

Remember 17 year-old contestant Ugo Mozie?

Ugo Mozie: I am wondering why he's trying to stay in contact with me still.

In the week before we found Gemase at the party, Ugo had been getting unusual text messages from someone he initially thought was an old friend.

Mozie: I am thinking like why is my friend is saying I am sexy. We don't play like that. 

Ugo suspected it might really be Gemase and, sure enough, the messages were coming from the same cell phone number Gemase had been using.

And the morning after our brief meeting on the roof deck? Those flirty messages escalated into something much worse.

From that same number, Ugo received a pornographic cartoon of a man and woman having sex. 

Mozie: It’s kind of scary I am nervous and I don’t know like why is he sending me these text messages.

The next time we called Gemase's cell phone, it was no longer working.

And when we returned to the apartment building where we'd found him a couple weeks earlier he was gone.

Gemase did respond to one of our emails, but didn't address any of the issues raised in our report. He did however write to one of the camera crews to whom he owes money. He says he intends to pay his debts and blames "the inability to secure proper funding," adding, "I am not running, I am not hiding."

However, despite our requests for an interview, we never saw Gemase in person again.

But in the course of our reporting, we did find him on yet another videotape...

For a reality show Gemase filmed for one day back in 2005.

The camera crew and producer he hired say they were also never paid.

And say they've been looking for Gemase Simmons for more than two years.

So it seems Gemase, the would-be reality star has actually been at it for years.

Foster: He preys on people, on their hopes and dreams and exploits that. 

Griffin: I think he's so far gone that he doesn't even know that what he's doing is wrong.

The cameraman and some of the other professional who say they weren't paid by Gemase Simmons have taken their complaints to police. Criminal charges have been filed against him in connection with the reality show.

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