Bridgerton event compared to Glasgow Willy Wonka experience after guests paid $250 for raw food

By Abby Amoakuh

Published Sep 25, 2024 at 01:18 PM

Reading time: 2 minutes

61777

Following in the footsteps of Glasgow’s infamous Willy Wonka Experience flop in March 2024, Bridgerton fans recently got a taste of what it feels like to be scammed, after a group of individuals shelled out $150 to $1,000 for tickets to a live action experience, only to be hand-delivered a disastrous night, complete with raw food, plastic flowers, and a pole dancer.

The immersive experience took place in Detroit, Michigan on 22 and 23 September 2024. It was publicised as a chance to “step into the enchanting world of the Regency-era… For an evening of sophistication, grace and historical charm.”

So a lot of eager fans of Netflix’s hit show snatched up all the tickets and made their way over to the city’s three-story Harmonie Club to immerse themselves into the world of the old British aristocracy, composed of dancing, courtship, elaborate decorations, luxurious food, and instrumental covers of pop hits.

@not.chandler

the bridgerton aesthetic #bridgerton #bridgertonnetflix #bridgertonaesthetic #aesthetic #edit #bridgertonedit

♬ original sound - chanedits

The much-awaited event was originally set to take place on 24 August. However, it was cancelled just a few days before due to a venue issue and rescheduled for late September.

Fast forward to the weekend in question, when Detroit’s very own Bridgerton fans finally got to enter the experience they paid $300 on average for.

@moreofnitaa

This ball was the worst investment ive ever made💀💀

♬ original sound - lovely_lucy333

According to attendees, it wasn’t so much a disappointment as it was a straight-up scam. The moment guests stepped in, dressed in tiaras and their best gowns, the atmosphere was hectic and chaotic.

There were zero security, check-ins, or organisers, which led to multiple pedestrians gaining access to the event which shouldn’t have been there. This major hiccup massively affected the capacity and undermined the exclusivity of what was marketed as an upscale event.

Apparently, the live music that had been advertised to guests was in fact one lone violinist—you know, not the complete orchestra that had been promised. This poor solo musician was tasked with providing musical entertainment for an entire ballroom. Talk about serious pressure.

Then there was the food part of the event: the dinner ended up being a buffet, which reportedly ran out after an hour and was served uncooked, with some guests complaining that the chicken was “raw” and inedible. Others described the cups and cutlery as “[pre-]used.”

https://twitter.com/JordanPfot/status/1838851019024773530

To top it all off, the dance performance the event had organised was made up of one pole dancer equipped with a portable pole, who was introduced as an “acrobat.” Right…

https://twitter.com/rayleearts/status/1838588300178620810

This, of course, didn’t quite convey the regal Regency atmosphere advertised. Combined with a poorly decorated ballroom, which was adjourned with plastic flowers and cheap-looking posters, the whole experience went viral on social media as one of the biggest scams 2024.

“It was definitely the price tag that had given us this expectation of luxury, regality, class, [and] the Bridgerton experience. Even arriving at the event we were told there would be valet service and we had to end up self-parking and paying for parking,” Ayrton Hamrick told WXYZ Detroit.

He and his girlfriend had purchased the “Duke and Duchess” package which was $250 and set to include a professional dance card, professional photo, valet service, dinner, music, and entertainment. It’s fair to say that it was anything but that.

https://twitter.com/DJLiXxer/status/1838408100966986004
https://twitter.com/RheaMorris_/status/1838641069757546879

A scheduled best-dressed competition for a cash prize also never happened, nor did the organisers choose a Diamond of the Season as they do on the show, according to guest Nita Eaton.

@moreofnitaa

Yawll they didnt even pay the photographer💀💀💀

♬ Mozart Minuet with violin(815356) - 松本一策

In response to the backlash, the organisers, Uncle & Me LLC, released a statement acknowledging the chaos. “Dearest Gentle Readers, we understand that not everyone had the experience they anticipated…

Our goal was to create a magical evening, but we recognise that organisational challenges and unforeseen changes, including a last-minute venue and date change, impacted the experience for some guests.

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.”

Due to the lack of monetary compensation for the inconvenience caused, some attendees are now discussing taking class action.

Keep On Reading

By Abby Amoakuh

The internet is obsessing over Bridgerton characters Benedict and Francesca’s sexualities 

By Abby Amoakuh

Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan hits back at journalist who shamed her for nude scene

By Deanna Pearce

From Euphoria fever to the Depp-Heard trial, here are all the wildest events that happened in 2022

By Eliza Frost

Netflix is predicting your next favourite show based on your zodiac sign 

By Charlie Sawyer

Why has the new sculpture of a Black American woman in Times Square prompted mass outrage?

By Charlie Sawyer

Who is Zohran Mamdani, the staunch socialist primed to become New York’s first Muslim mayor?

By Charlie Sawyer

Another female influencer has been punched in the head in New York. Is it the same attacker?

By Eliza Frost

Bad timing? Gavin Casalegno’s Dunkin’ ad sparks backlash over actor’s alleged conservative views

By Charlie Sawyer

Former Harry Potter star tells reporters he doesn’t understand JK Rowling’s Twitter transphobia

By Charlie Sawyer

Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper accuses former soccer coach of sexual harassment in new docuseries

By Eliza Frost

Is Belly Conklin the problem in The Summer I Turned Pretty?

By Charlie Sawyer

Sabrina Carpenter accused of centering men on controversial album cover

By Eliza Frost

Gen Z can’t afford one-night stands as rising cost of living causes sex recession

By Charlie Sawyer

Emma Watson reveals disgusting paparazzi ambush on her 18th birthday

By Eliza Frost

The Life of a Showgirl or The Life of a Tradwife? Unpicking Taylor Swift’s new album

By Eliza Frost

Everything to know about Justin Lee Fisher, arrested at Travis Kelce’s home over Taylor Swift deposition papers from Justin Baldoni

By Eliza Frost

American Eagle and Sydney Sweeney face backlash with employee’s LinkedIn post adding fuel to the fire

By Abby Amoakuh

I sat down with two professional matchmakers to solve Gen Z’s dating fatigue

By Charlie Sawyer

Everything you need to know about toxic gossip site Tattle Life and how its founder finally got revealed

By Eliza Frost

Are you in Group 7? Explaining the latest viral TikTok trend