'Bridgerton Ball' experience in Detroit is described as 'fraud' and 'total chaos'

A “Bridgerton Ball” experience in Michigan turned out to be complete chaos.

Photos are circulating on social media (below) from an event on Sunday, which organizers touted as a chance for fans to “immerse themselves in the enchanting world of the Regency era… for an evening of sophistication, grace and historical charm.”

More from The Hollywood Reporter

The reality, some attendees say, was a disorganized and stripped-down event, with costumed attendees sitting on the floor between vendors selling KitKats and watching a stripper hired as entertainment for the evening. The event is being compared to the infamous (and unofficial) Willy Wonka Experience, which made headlines around the world in March.

According to local station WBCK, the ball was not an official Netflix event. The streamer hosts a touring event called The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience. According to the event's sparse, two-page website, it was the “Detroit Bridgerton Themed Ball.” Tickets ranged from $150 to $1,000.

“It was described as [a] Bridgerton “We were at the event and we were going to have classical music and a nice dinner, there was going to be a play and they were going to pick the diamonds of the season,” one attendee said in a report by local ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV. “They were going to give out all these awards. And we went in and it was completely empty in there.”

“It was total chaos,” another said in the report. “They didn't even scan our tickets. We paid for dinner and there were people all over the venue.”

“My family and I just left the Detroit Bridgerton Ball,” wrote one attendee on Reddit, posting several photos. “It was absolutely INCREDIBLE. There was no seating. Although the venue was beautiful, the decor was sparse and extremely cheesy. It wasn't even Bridgerton themed! We spent $400 on tickets to a complete b*tch.S Experience!”

“Aside from the lackluster event itself, they promised a cash prize to the best dressed attendee (which didn't happen), that they would pick a diamond of the season like they do on the show/at other Bridgerton-inspired balls (which didn't happen), and they had a schedule with conflicting information,” another wrote on Twitter.

“Nobody asked for our tickets so we just walked in,” wrote another on Reddit. “All of the attendees looked absolutely gorgeous but there were no directions. We basically followed the crowd to the third floor where we saw FUCKING LOCAL VENDORS selling merchandise like we were at a local festival… After seeing people sitting on the floor looking disappointed, my wife and I left.”

Event organizer Uncle N Me LLC issued the following statement to WXYZ on Tuesday: “We understand that not everyone had the experience they hoped for at our recent event on Sunday night at the Harmonie Club, and for that we sincerely apologize. Our intention was to provide a magical evening, but we recognize that organizational challenges impacted some guests' enjoyment. We take full responsibility and accountability for these deficiencies. Please be assured that we are working diligently to address any concerns to ensure all guests have the enjoyable experience they deserve… we are committed to doing everything in our power to make this right.”

Netflix, although not directly associated with the event, has not commented.

The Best of Hollywood Reporter

Subscribe to the THR newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.