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VICTORIAN babies and children are being hot-housed by talent companies to be the stars of the future.
While other kids are playing in the cubby or sandpit, these superstars-in-the-making are attending tap, ballet, modelling, voice and acting lessons.
Babies as young as five months are earning up to $95 an hour for photo shoots.
And when they're barely out of nappies, kids can earn up to $40,000 for a TV commercial, or $48,000 for a TV series.
Agencies stress that most parents sign up kids for performing arts classes just to boost their confidence and personal development.
Most companies have thousands of kids paying about $100 a year to be on their books, but only a few will go on to make any money in the entertainment industry.
Melbourne children's model agent Bettina Petrone, founder of Bettina Management, signs up...