The “Bridgerton Ball Rip-off” contestants are speaking out, revealing to TMZ just how unpleasant the whole ordeal was for them… and suggesting that a class action lawsuit may be on the way.
ICYMI… a prom “expertise” inspired by the Netflix romance drama promised to be a royally fun time for fans. That is, until they arrived at the “Detroit Bridgerton Themed Ball” – entering a simple social party… paying homage to Willy Wonka pop-up installation in Glasgow.
Thread about the Bridgerton Ball SCAM in Detroit that I (and a bunch of other people) spent $300 on pic.twitter.com/EUgX482w8j
– Rachel Eaton @Realta (@rayleearts) September 24, 2024
@rayleearts
We spoke to just a few of the attendees after the base case — who were not affiliated with the streaming service — and they told TMZ what happened during their underwhelming time at the “Bridgerton” ball.
Katrina from Detroit told TMZ … she spent $450 on basic tickets and an extra $650 on clothes, hair and makeup. But when she arrived at the long-awaited ball, she witnessed an understaffed event… where there was nothing but long runways for “horrible” scenarios.
There was no one checking tickets at the door, and the promised stay entertainment was just a violinist, a pole dancer, and a random man in non-themed clothing doing the “Cha Cha Slide.”
The “live music” announced was this poor lonely violinist 😭 pic.twitter.com/Yt6zEOrXxV
– Rachel Eaton @Realta (@rayleearts) September 24, 2024
@rayleearts
Another attendee told us she spent $600 in total on tickets, hotel and clothes. We were told there weren’t enough chairs, but there was a ridiculously long line for mocktails.
She said “nothing was on theme”… a real disappointment for fans of the period drama.
Another attendee said she spent $150 per prom ticket just to try out “extravagant and cheap” decorations, reporting that she felt it was all “extremely inappropriate.”
The “dance” they had was ONE. STRIPPER. pic.twitter.com/lEyL6DbNgf
– Rachel Eaton @Realta (@rayleearts) September 24, 2024
@rayleearts
Participants were so offended and disappointed that the phrase about possible collective action even circulated online.
However, at least one artist was happy. Skilled acrobat Tinker Bell told TMZ … she was treated very well by the prom organizers, noting that she was paid $800 to perform three sets of poles — which only took an hour.
Tink says she was welcomed “warmly” at the ball… although she can say many were “confused” by her presence. It may have been her “Strikes Like Jagger” routine that confused people… but for her protection, the organizers asked her to do it.
In short, technology was not the Diamond of the Season… more like the Coal of the Year.