Bridgerton Ball: Inside 'Scam' Event Compared to Wonka in Detroit

Nita Morton arrives at a Bridgerton-themed ball expecting glitz, glamor and great food.

The event in Detroit, Michigan on Sunday night invited fans to “step into the glamorous world of the Regency era” with “sophistication, grace and historic charm.”

So far, so good – but what happened next could almost make a Netflix drama in itself.

Guests said they found soggy noodles, chicken bones, gloomy decorations, a solo violin and a pole dancer.

“I was brought to tears,” Neeta, 25, told the BBC. “That was the worst I've ever had. My high school parties were good.”

“The food at Bridgerton is the grand dessert table with things like turkey and ham and macaroons,” he told the BBC.

“But we got soggy noodles with tomato sauce and little chicken wings.”

The mistake went viral on social mediaAs attendees paid around $200 (£150) for a ticket they complained it was a “scam”.

Guests in fancy ballgowns say they've been reduced to sitting on the floor because of a lack of chairs — and leaving early for McDonald's or Burger King when some food runs out.

People have been quick to note similarities with other viral flops Fire Festival in the Bahamas and the Willy Wonka Experience in Glasgow.

The ball — in no way affiliated with Netflix or production company Shondaland — was organized by Uncle & Me LLC. It did not respond to BBC requests for comment but told local media it was working to address concerns.

The BBC spoke to some of them to hear how high society turned to bitter despair.

The ball's itinerary, seen by the BBC, included photo opportunities, dance lessons and a fashion show.

Those who bought more expensive tickets were also promised dinner and a violinist.

But alarm bells keep ringing For the guests when they arrived and no one was found at the door to greet them.

Kimberley Pineda, Who posted a TikTok video Of his experience, he told the BBC that “anyone could have walked in” due to the lack of a check-in process.

He said guests were leaving as soon as they arrived, with one warning him not to bother going inside.

Once inside, he said he encountered “cheap” decor and the ballroom was completely deserted.

“There were only a few vendors there, which I feel sorry for. They were booked and had no idea what was going on.

“Plates were stacked on top of each other, glasses were being reused, whole plates of food were left behind, and someone told me the chicken wasn't cooked properly and the beans smelled like fish.”

Like Kimberly, Andy Bell found the food and drink options to be woefully inadequate.

“Hors d'oeuvres were available to all guests. And leftovers from dinner were the promised hors d'oeuvres.”

Then came entertainment – which proved to be the final straw for some.

“As the night wore on, we were presented with an exotic dancer with a pole, who looked more like a stripper; lack of scheduled dance lessons despite most of us waiting in the ballroom; and finally club music blasted from the stage,” said Andy.

“At that point, my sister and I left.”

Meanwhile, Kimberly said her “jaw dropped” when the pole dancer's performance began.

“We were promised a Bridgerton-themed musical performance, but we weren't expecting a pole dance,” he said.

Other entertainment included a Queen Charlotte act, a character from the show.

But another guest, Amanda Sue Mathis, felt she was hardly regal – sitting “in a cheap dress” against a backdrop that looked like it was “bought from a dollar store”, with a “fake stuffed dog” sitting on her lap. .

The photographer, meanwhile, was only able to airdrop the pictures, Neeta said.

This means that Android phone people resort to taking pictures of their phones.

And when there was a violinist, he had to perform across three floors, Neeta said.

in a statement to WXYZ-TVUncle & Me LLC said: “We understand that not everyone had the experience they hoped for at our recent event on Sunday night at Harmony Club, and for that we sincerely apologize.

“Our aim was to deliver a magical evening, but we recognize that organizational challenges affected some guests' enjoyment.

“We take full responsibility and accountability for these errors.”

The company said it was working to address all concerns raised by guests, adding: “We are reviewing resolution options, which will be communicated shortly.”

Company website The event site – which was available until mid-week – does not appear to be working now Also displayed belowAdding to the frustration of fans.

Nita claimed that the statement “gaslighted” attendees: “We have had no contact with the organization for days.”

Andy claimed that communication from the organizers had been “non-comprehensive”.

Kimberly said she felt “robbed” of her money and time by spending $440 on her dress alone.

And Amanda – a superfan who has watched Bridgerton from start to finish six times – described it as “a dream come true, until it doesn't”.

Similar recent disasters may offer a clue as to how things will pan out.

After the spectacular failure of the Wonka experience in Glasgow earlier this year, where The police were called as tempers flared In a nearby empty warehouse, organizers said ticket holders would be given full refunds.

Meanwhile, Fyre Festival promises a luxurious two-week music event in the Bahamas – but Fans arrived without finding any musical instrumentsNo plans and only disaster relief tents to sleep in.

Months after being released from prison at the 2017 event, organizer Billy McFarland announced a reboot. Due to Fire II Performed in April 2025.

If another Bridgerton-themed ball is staged in the near future, Detroit fans might be coining a phrase from Anthony Bridgerton: “You are the bane of my existence and the object of all my desires.”

Additional reporting by Ana Faguy.