Made an appointment through an agency (first time using this one) to see a certain star.  An emergency (somewhat serious) prevented me from keeping my appointment (unless I'd checked out A/M/A), but I notified the agency prior to the appointment (same day) that I would not be able to keep the appointment.

I have emailed the agency to inquire about the status of the deposit and rescheduling the meeting, but haven't had a response in 5 days (booking discussions resulted in almost immediate responses).  In fact, I didn't ask for the deposit back, as I really wanted to try to reschedule the meeting.  I simply asked what the status of the deposit was and if it could be applied toward a future meeting.  Frankly, I would prefer any response to no response.

I've never really run into this situation before, so I don't know what to expect.  Is it normal to forfeit a deposit for factors beyond your control?

Mostly on who you are dealing with. I suggest going back to their site and reading the fine print you may have looked over when you booked the appointment. You might find an answer there. Or try booking another appointment and when they contact you back ask if they'll credit it then. Good luck.

name names on agency's.
I, just this weekend discussed deposits with someone who posts on here, and my unwilling to give a 50% deposit

Name and shame matey

Agreed, but it was a special request to meet me in a mutual travel city.  Nothing was mentioned about a deposit up until the very end, which did aggravate me, and there is nothing on the site that I've found regarding deposits.  I fully expected to lose the airfare portion, but the fee deposit kinda irks me.

I think I know what has happened.  Since this has occurred, the star in question appears to no longer be with that agency - hence, very difficult to reschedule the meeting.

I'll chalk that one up to stupidity on my part and greed on the other's part, and book her through her new agency (although I'll have to cut back to an hour now to make up for that lost deposit).

Yet another example of why not to give deposits...