Current:Home > MarketsBridgerton Ball in Detroit Compared to Willy's Chocolate Experience Over "Scam" Fan Event -AssetLink
Bridgerton Ball in Detroit Compared to Willy's Chocolate Experience Over "Scam" Fan Event
View
Date:2025-04-14 15:58:08
A Bridgerton-themed Ball in Detroit was nothing short of a royal disaster.
Seven months after an infamous Willy Wonka-inspired pop-up in Scotland was described as a scam by attendees for underdelivering on its promises, fans of the Netflix series say that they felt the same at the Harmonie Club Sept. 22. As eventgoers arrived in their most regal attire hoping to be transported to Mayfair, they said they were met with minimal decor, undercooked food and an exotic dancer for entertainment.
The event—which was organized by Uncle & Me LLC and not Netflix and Shondaland like The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience—promised fans a “play/performance, music/entertainment,” “bar access” and “$2,000 cash for best dressed,” according to the website.
“They promised us so much and we got none of it,” Ashlyn Cook, an attendee, said on TikTok Sept. 23. “There was no organization, there was no Diamond of the Season announced, there were no prizes.”
The ball—which offered tickets that ranged $120 to $1,000—was first set for August but was canceled and rescheduled for the following month, co-owner Chelsea Beard shared on her Instagram at the time.
Fans in a Facebook group detailing their experience shared photos of their food with chicken described as “pink as a crayon” with photos of the meat. An additional $40 add-on allowed fans a photo opp, which one fan described on TikTok as “a prom send-off setup.” As for live music? Attendees say a solo violin player was stationed on one of three floors.
E! News has reached out to Uncle & Me LLC and Netflix for comment and has not yet heard back.
The event company shared a statement with WXYZ Sept. 24, noting, “We understand that not everyone had the experience they hoped for at our most recent event Sunday night at the Harmonie Club, and for that, we sincerely apologize."
“Our intention was to provide a magical evening, but we recognize that organizational challenges affected the enjoyment of some guests,” the statement continued. “We take full responsibility and accountability for these shortcomings. Please know that we are working diligently to address all concerns to ensure that all guests have the enjoyable experience they deserve.… We are committed to doing everything in our power to make this right.”
Beard also addressed the outrage in an apology. “Our goal was to create a magical evening, but we recognize that organizational challenges and unforeseen changes, including a last-minute venue and date change, impacted the experience for some guests,” she wrote on Instagram Sept. 24. “Unfortunately, some nonrefundable deposits from the original bookings resulted in losses on our end, which added to the challenges. Nonetheless, we take full responsibility for these shortcomings.”
As disappointed attendees shared event details, many compared it to Willy’s Chocolate Experience. ICYMI, the House of Illuminati organization opened the candy wonderland experience in February with what fans described as poorly done decor, two jelly beans for attendees and wildly disproportionate promises in their advertising.
The organization behind the Wonka experience apologized for the event and promised full refunds.
"Unfortunately last minute we were let down in many areas of our event and tried our best to continue on and push through and now realize we probably should have [sic] cancelled first thing this morning instead,” they wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post at the time, per NBC News. “We fully apologize for what has happened and will be giving full refunds to each and every person that purchased tickets."
One user quipped of the Detroit event, “wake up babe willy wonka experience bridgerton version just dropped.” While another simply noted, “This whole event was a Regency Wonka World of a scam.”
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (1)
Related
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Elon Musk just gave Nvidia investors one billion reasons to cheer for reported partnership
- San Diego raises bar to work with immigration officials ahead of Trump’s deportation efforts
- Social media platform Bluesky nearing 25 million users in continued post
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Joe Burrow’s home broken into during Monday Night Football in latest pro
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Wisconsin kayaker who faked his death and fled to Eastern Europe is in custody, online records show
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Jim Carrey Reveals Money Inspired His Return to Acting in Candid Paycheck Confession
Ranking
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Wisconsin kayaker who faked his death and fled to Eastern Europe is in custody, online records show
- PACCAR recalls over 220,000 trucks for safety system issue: See affected models
- 'We are all angry': Syrian doctor describes bodies from prisons showing torture
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- OCBC chief Helen Wong joins Ho Ching, Jenny Lee on Forbes' 100 most powerful women list
- A fugitive gains fame in New Orleans eluding dart guns and nets
- New York Climate Activists Urge Gov. Hochul to Sign ‘Superfund’ Bill
Recommendation
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
Orcas are hunting whale sharks. Is there anything they can't take down?
Only about 2 in 10 Americans approve of Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter, an AP
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
New York Climate Activists Urge Gov. Hochul to Sign ‘Superfund’ Bill
US inflation likely edged up last month, though not enough to deter another Fed rate cut
Arizona city sues federal government over PFAS contamination at Air Force base