'Bridgerton' ball in Detroit is like the Willy Wonka Experience all over again—probably worse

[Enter Stage Rite]

Bridgerton fans hoping for a night of Regency-era elegance found themselves instead at what could only be described as the Fyre Festival of period dramas.

 

Uncle & Me LLC, the organizers behind this ill-fated soirée, promised an immersive experience straight out of Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton. Having dished out anywhere from $150 to a jaw-dropping $1,000 for their tickets, guests arrived on September 22 decked out in their finest Regency-inspired attire, ready to waltz the night away in sophisticated splendor.

 

What they encountered, however, was far from the advertised glamor. Attendees reported a laundry list of disappointments: undercooked food, decorations that could generously be described as sparse, and a distinct lack of the promised entertainment.

 

 

Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising detail was the incongruous presence of a pole for exotic dancing—a feature decidedly not found in Jane Austen’s novels.

 

 

Well into the event, there was nothing to do. People were bored and just sat on their phones pic.twitter.com/XxR8NjFndm

— Rachel Eaton @ Realta (@rayleearts) September 24, 2024

 

 

 

The “dancing” they had was ONE. STRIPPER. pic.twitter.com/lEyL6DbNgf

— Rachel Eaton @ Realta (@rayleearts) September 24, 2024

 

 

The debacle quickly drew comparisons to other notorious event failures, most notably the recent Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow, which also fell spectacularly flat and left guests feeling duped and demanding refunds.

https://community.designtaxi.com/topic/2825-willy-wonka-event-organizer-says-backlash-ruined-his-life/

 

 

How much extra time did they get in the Bridgerton Ball pit though? pic.twitter.com/xj5R915f0A

— Reid Southen (@Rahll) September 24, 2024

 

 

It’s an affair that even Lady Whistledown might find too outrageous to print.

 

In the wake of the backlash, Uncle & Me LLC has broken its silence. The company issued a statement to local news outlet WXYZ-TV, acknowledging the day’s shortcomings and apologizing for the disappointment experienced by attendees.

 

The organizers assured disgruntled guests that they were actively addressing the complaints and exploring ways to make amends, including the possibility of compensation for those who felt short-changed by the event.

 

• https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/detroit-bridgerton-ball-attendees-speak-completely-devastated/story?id=114144636 
• https://www.businessinsider.com/bridgerton-themed-ball-detroit-disappointing-compared-willy-wonka-experience-refunds-2024-9 
• https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/2024/09/25/bridgerton-ball-detroit-disappointment/75377417007/ 
• https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/detroit-bridgerton-ball-attendees-speak-completely-devastated-114144636 

 

 

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