Reality TV modelling series Asia's Next Top Model (ANTM) and its host-judge Nadya Hutagalung are set to return for a second season later this year.
But not the show's other prominent face, veteran show producer and fashion director Daniel Boey.
As one of its resident judges, Boey has ruled out any possibility of appearing again in the Asian spinoff of the popular US reality TV modelling series America's Next Top Model fronted by US supermodel Tyra Banks.
His main beef? It has been nearly a year since production on the first season - which aired on cable channel Star World (StarHub Ch 501) from last November to February - wrapped up, but the 48-year-old said he is still owed "half" his agreed wages by ANTM's production company, Ice-TV.
Ice-TV reportedly has offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
A check on their official website www.ice-tv.net showed that the URL link has been diverted to ANTM Cycle 1's YouTube channel.
Boey expressed his displeasure at Ice-TV and its managing director, Mr David Searl.
He told The New Paper over the phone yesterday: "All of us put in weeks and some even months for the show... (Ice-TV) displays a total lack of respect for the creative industry."
Ice-TV made headlines last October when a number of upset freelancers - directors, crew members and suppliers - told the media that they had not been paid for their work on ANTM, with salaries ranging between $2,000 and $10,000.
A month later, Mr Searl told TNP that his company was experiencing financial difficulties because "two sponsors pulled out of the show due to the European financial crisis and one investor dropped out..."
He also gave an assurance that "new investors have been found and all media freelancers will be paid by the end of the week".
As far as Boey is concerned, that promise never materialised. He declined to reveal how much in total he is owed, but calls it "a painful sum".
"I love Asia's Next Top Model and the girls, I've always wanted to play a part in nurturing new talent for the (fashion) industry..." he said.
"But I cannot come back for Cycle 2 until I've been paid for Cycle 1. There has to be closure before we move on."
No invitation
He said he has not received an invitation to appear in the new season.
Boey, who was one of ANTM's judges alongside Hutagalung, Filipino supermodel Joey Mead King and Canadian-born photographer Todd Anthony Tyler, said that he left the "chasing" of his wages to his agent.
Hutagalung could not be reached for comment and her management agency Fly Entertainment declined to say if she has been fully paid for her work.
Calls to Mr Searl's mobile phone yesterday went unanswered, but he finally reverted via SMS, saying:
"Hi! All questions on Top Model have to go to Fox Channel. Cheers."
A spokesman for Fox International Channels (FIC), which commissioned Ice-TV to produce ANTM, told TNP that "Since the wrap of ANTM Season 1, FIC has fulfilled all its financial obligations related to the show. The commitments FIC made were in agreement with all affected parties, so they are all well aware of the arrangements and the fact that FIC has fulfilled its obligations.
"We are not at liberty to comment or reveal confidential info such as remuneration but we can confirm that FIC has carried out all its financial and contractual obligations to the talents of the show."
When asked if FIC was aware of Ice-TV or Mr David Searl's progress on payments to the parties involved, the spokesman declined to comment, stating that they "cannot comment on behalf of others".
It is not just Boey who is exasperated at Ice- TV's attitude towards the matter of payments. TNP understands that several other parties, including stylists, make-up artists, sound and lighting crew members and public relations personnel, are still owed money.
Prominent local fashion designer Frederick Lee, 43, who created the gowns for ANTM's trailer and opening credits and was a special guest on the finale, said he is "very disappointed" with Ice-TV.
"I didn't get a single cent, not even the dry cleaning fee for the gowns... I just got paid for a packet of food for lunch," he said.
"I was supposed to be paid around $4,000 to $5,000. I have the contract in black and white."
Bangkok designer and co-owner of fashion brand Tube Gallery Saksit Pisalasupongs, 36, who was a special guest on ANTM's third episode, claimed Ice-TV had promised to pay $1,200 for his models' accessories.
Public relations firm Word of Mouth Communications, which handled the show's publicity, is owed a total of $30,000 by Ice-TV.
"Early this year, our lawyer got us a paper judgment, but when a hearing was arranged, (Mr Searl) didn't turn up," said Word of Mouth's managing director, Mr Jansen Siak.
The good news for Mr Siak and other industry players is that Ice-TV is no longer in the picture for ANTM 2, which is tentatively slated to air on Star World (StarHub Ch 501) later this year.
FIC has instead commissioned production house activeTV, which has branches in Australia and Singapore, to produce the second season.
Open casting calls for Singapore contestants will take place on Aug 17 and interested parties can sign up at http://www.starworldasia.tv/AsiaNTM2.
The first season saw German-Thai contestant Jessica Amornkuldil take home the title.
Of the 14 finalists, only one, Kyla Tan, was Singaporean. She was eliminated in the first episode.
Ms Joan Leong, vice-president of activeTV's production arm, said that they have "always had strict, proper budgeting procedures in place". Stressing that they are "not related to Season 1" and are "not affected" by the brouhaha surrounding Ice-TV, Ms Leong added that activeTV has a "track record", having regularly produced well-known, big-scale reality shows like The Amazing Race Asia and Cash Cab Asia.
Get The New Paper for more stories.
