DETROIT (WWJ) — Many fans of the hit Netflix show "Bridgerton" headed downtown Detroit on Sunday expecting an immersive experience sending them into a world of 1800s festivities.
But to say attendees were disappointed would be an understatement. Those who spent hundreds of dollars — some even reportedly upwards of $1,000 — on tickets and lavish gowns and costumes say they were underwhelmed by the event, which has been receiving national and international attention.
Some have compared it to the infamous Fyre Fest — featured in a Netflix documentary for its failure to deliver what was promised — and the "Willy Wonka Experience" in Scotland that was dubbed a farce.
Put on by Uncle N Me LLC, attendees say the event — which was inspired by the show but not sponsored by Netflix or in any way affiliated with the show — was supposed to include food, a bar, tables and chairs, an orchestra and other live entertainment.
But instead, event-goers say they received undercooked meat that required additional payment, no bar, a performance by an aerialist many are describing as a "pole dancer," and no place to sit.
Alexis Stacy of Fraser told WWJ Newsradio 950's Luke Sloan "a lot of people were complaining about everything."
"I don't blame them. They said there was going to be live entertainment and it was a pole dancer. A lot of people were confused and a lot of people left early," Stacy said. "We still ended up having a good time outside the ball and going to the bars down the street, but it was definitely not what they advertised."
"Everyone who was attending was so cool, everyone looked amazing," she said. "But whoever ran the event totally cheaped out on everything. It had so much potential, the venue was beautiful... and they barely decorated anything, the photoshoot backdrop, it looked like they got it from the dollar store."
Stacy said after she and a friend took photos in the photo booth and their pictures were already printing, a woman told them it cost $8.
She, along with many other fans who were duped by the event, are not expecting to get a refund.
"I've seen things already on Twitter and Facebook of people who have tried and haven't gotten a response back or anything," she said. "So I think that kind of turns me off, the whole thing. It's just a crazy process and I'm not going to get my money back anyways."
The local aerialist by the name of Tink who performed during the event told WXYZ it was a disaster.
"This is truly a horror story and I'm just completely awestruck seeing everything that happened," she told the outlet. "Normally it's not like that. Normally when you go to a show, especially a circus performer, it's an amazing experience. You get wowed, thrilled even. It's a little dangerous and I'm sad they didn't get to experience that."
Uncle N Me LLC says it is "reviewing" options to reach a resolution.
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