Bridgerton Ball Scam: Fans Spend Hundreds On Tickets And Gowns Only To Be Met With Empty Venue And A Stripper

Netflix's Bridgerton has garnered a massive fanbase with its lavish costumes and dramatic love stories, so when fans heard about a real-life "Bridgerton Ball," they rushed to join the fantasy. 

But instead of the Regency-era glamour that everyone was yearning for, they were met with what can only be described as Fyre Festival 2.0. Much like this year’s disastrous "Willy Wonka Experience" in Glasgow, guests were confronted with empty promises and misleading ads.

A Bridgerton-themed ball in Detroit was held on September 22, 2024, promising fans a night of enchantment. "Join us for an evening of sophistication, grace, and historical charm. Experience a night like no other filled with music, dance, and exquisite costumes," their ad read. The ball was supposed to take place on August 25 but was rescheduled to last Sunday night due to a venue issue (first red flag), and tickets started at $150 (second red flag).

When guests arrived at the historic Harmonie Club – dressed in gorgeous gowns and tuxedos – they were greeted with raw chicken, cold pasta, a stripper pole, and an empty venue. Faye from Grosse Pointe summed up her feelings pretty bluntly. “Honestly, I just want my money back,” she told WXYZ Detroit. 

Another attendee, Amanda Sue Mathis, traveled all the way from Shelby Township and even hired a limo for the occasion. “We were supposed to have this last month. They canceled it, and we waited. We got a limo for this, did all these things, and basically got an empty building,” she said.

Mathis added, “They have a pole in the middle of the dance floor. A stripper pole in the middle of the dance floor.”

Maureen Holliday, 38, who drove from Cincinnati with friends for what she hoped would be an elegant evening, ended up spending $487.92 on four tickets through Eventbrite. This was meant to be a gift for her friends, who live in Owensboro, Kentucky, and Middletown, Ohio, and rarely have the chance to get together. Originally scheduled for August 25, the event was canceled, leaving Holliday with one unused ticket for a friend who couldn’t attend the rescheduled date due to work obligations.

Holliday's excitement turned to dismay upon arrival. What she encountered, instead of Regency-era charm, was an evening marred by “extremely inappropriate” pole dancing. Holliday felt particularly sorry for a mom at her table with two teenage daughters, who appeared embarrassed by the exotic performances. "Why pole dancing? At an event highlighting prim-and-proper Bridgerton, a drama set between 1813 and 1827 in London? Even with the TV show's steamy love scenes? No one knows," Holliday remarked.

According to a viral TikTok by @kiimberyly, the event started at 6 p.m., but there was "no security, no check in," and "no organizer." She witnessed 60 people walk out before she even got into the building. There were "no foods, no drinks, and not enough chairs or tables."

The venue, the Harmonie Club in Detroit, quickly sought to distance itself from the disaster. Roger Basmajian, the club's president, said they had no involvement in the event's programming or execution, stating, "We feel bad as to how people got treated." The club had merely leased the space to the event organizers, Uncle & Me, LLC, a company founded by Jeremy Scott and Chelsea Beard, which has yet to address the overwhelming backlash. The last update on their social media was from August 24, following the initial cancellation of the event.

Beard did eventually post an apology on her Instagram, acknowledging that "not everyone had the experience they anticipated" and citing organizational challenges and unforeseen changes. However, many attendees found her apology insufficient, especially considering the "no refunds" policy noted on the event page.

Guests now demand refunds but are tasked with disputing charges with their credit card companies. Many may find it nearly impossible to recover their money, as pointed out by Nakia Mills, director of marketing for the Better Business Bureau. In the aftermath, Holliday expressed her determination to dispute the charge with her credit card company, hoping for some resolution. 

But what do we do to avoid another disaster like this? Research. Research. Research. If something feels off or if an event seems too good to be true, it probably is. Look into the company behind it, check reviews, and make sure they’ve got a solid track record before you hand over your hard-earned money. And to Netflix (or any event organizers with money and resources): Please create a real Bridgerton Ball. The women yearn for the Regency era and a night or regality.

Until then, let’s be a bit more cautious and make sure we aren’t duped into another "Scamerton."

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