A much-anticipated “Bridgerton Ball” experience in Detroit, Michigan, has left attendees frustrated, with many labeling the event a “scam” after a chaotic and disappointing evening. Fans of the popular Netflix series Bridgerton were lured by the promise of an elegant, Regency-era ball but were met with a far less enchanting reality.
Expectations vs. Reality
Attendees, like Pedro Soto and his wife, came to the event with high hopes, having spent hundreds of dollars on tickets, costumes, and accessories to step into the sophisticated world of Bridgerton. The couple, along with other fans, expected an immersive experience complete with classical music, fine dining, and even the crowning of the “diamond of the season,” a nod to the show. However, what they found was a poorly organized, bare-bones event that fell drastically short of expectations.
“What we really got was Kool-Aid from a bottle, no bar, and not enough seats or chairs. We had to reuse cups, and there weren’t enough plates. The backdrops were just paper, and even the photographs cost extra,” Soto explained to WXYZ Detroit. Social media soon exploded with similar accounts, with attendees describing the event as chaotic, unprofessional, and nothing like what was advertised.
Viral Backlash and Disappointment
The event, organized by Uncle N Me LLC, has since gone viral for all the wrong reasons. Pictures circulating on social media show a sparse, underwhelming setup, with attendees sitting on the floor amid vendors selling everyday items like Kit Kats. Perhaps most shockingly, the evening’s entertainment included a hired stripper, a far cry from the refined experience guests were expecting.
One attendee shared their dismay on Reddit, saying, “It was absolutely HORRENDOUS. There was nowhere to sit… It wasn’t even Bridgerton-themed! We spent $400 on tickets for a complete bs experience!” Others echoed these complaints, pointing out broken promises like the lack of classical music, the absence of a proper dinner, and no selection of the “diamond of the season.”
Adding to the disarray, it was reported that tickets were not properly scanned, leading to random people wandering through the venue. “They never even scanned our tickets. We paid to eat dinner, and there were random people all throughout the venue,” one attendee said in a report to WXYZ-TV. Many guests left early, disappointed and angry, demanding refunds.
A History of Controversy
This is not the first time Uncle N Me LLC has faced backlash. The company previously hosted a Bridgerton-themed tea party in June, which also led to complaints from attendees. In response to the Detroit fiasco, the company released a statement acknowledging the organizational issues that marred the event.
“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,” the statement read. The company promised to address guest concerns and work on improving future events, taking “full responsibility and accountability for these shortcomings.”
The disaster in Detroit serves as a cautionary tale for fans of Bridgerton and similar pop culture events. Social media users were quick to point out that the event was not officially sponsored by Netflix, urging people to be more careful when booking experiences that aren’t affiliated with the source material. Netflix itself does host a licensed Bridgerton event, “The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience,” which has received much more positive reviews.
With ticket prices ranging from $150 to $1,000 for this Detroit ball, attendees feel deeply betrayed by what they describe as an overpriced and poorly executed scam. As complaints continue to flood social media and local news outlets, the ball’s organizer, Uncle N Me LLC, will likely face increased pressure to issue refunds and improve its future offerings.