AMTC History

AMTC (Actors, Models & Talent Competition) is a three-generation family business started by 1940’s cover girl, Millie Lewis. She was a war widow, who came to New York to see friends and got “discovered” as a model. Her most glamorous job was as the Dubarry Cosmetics “Who is She?” girl in a famous series of ads. Millie met her second husband, Captain Jack Lewis, a WWII Fighter Pilot, during an air show in New York.

When Millie left New York to marry Jack, she could not leave the business she had come to love. So, she began a group of modeling and finishing schools in 1960 – to help young people improve their appearance, poise, and self-confidence. These five schools were located in South Carolina and Georgia. Millie was a local pioneer in the Civil Rights movement in the 1960’s by refusing to have a racially segregated school. The Millie Lewis Schools were open to all who possessed interest and enthusiasm.

The first Millie Lewis Convention was held at the Sheraton Hotel in historic Charleston, SC, in 1982. The event hosted 150 Contestants, 15 New York Agents, and much excitement. Led by her daughter, Carey Lewis Arban, AMTC was created to introduce local talent to the world – in a safe, educational, family-involved, and uplifting event.

25 years later, Carey and her daughters, Glynis and Lexy, keep Millie’s legacy alive for families everywhere. New talent comes from all over the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and around the world – from countries like England, Scotland, Canada, Australia, and Kenya. While AMTC has grown larger with agents and contestants, our mission is the same as Millie’s vision 25 years ago: to give new talent a safe and respected haven to pursue their dreams.