Bridgerton, since being picked up by Netflix, has built a cult following. The jaw-dropping viewership numbers Netflix has shared for the show surely warrant their own moment in the sun. The third season of the Regency-era drama further became the biggest hit in the beloved Shondaland series. But with all that attention and adoration comes the risk of being taken advantage of- for fans, especially. Recently, hundreds of Bridgerton fans were scammed at an event, drawn in by the promise of a Regency-style ball inspired by the Netflix show. 

The Bridgerton-inspired event is now being compared to the infamous Willy Wonka fiasco, which played out in much the same way. 

A Bridgerton Ball experience recently took place in Detroit, Michigan, where organizers promoted it as a chance for fans to “step into the enchanting world of the Regency era”. But the reality did not quite live up to the hype, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Instead of “an evening of sophistication", it was a messy and bare-bones event. There was no proper arrangement, and the costumed guests ended up sitting on the floor. Instead of fancy ball treats, they were served Kit Kats by vendors- in compensation for the tickets worth $150 to $1,000. 

To make things worse, a stripper was hired as the evening’s entertainment. According to local station WBCK, the ball was not an official Netflix event- even though the streamer does run a touring event called The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience. But this was advertised as the Detroit Bridgerton Themed Ball on its website. This comes right after Netflix noticed a surprising trend in its viewership of British shows, including Bridgerton. Now, the event is being compared to the infamous Willy Wonka Experience that made headlines back in March.

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A similar unofficial event for Willy Wonka fans had led little kids to be reduced to tears earlier this year. 

The UK event called Willy’s Chocolate Experience promised to take Willy Wonka fans on a trip to a magical realm for just $44 each. Unfortunately, it turned out to be such a bust that customers ended up calling the police. Apparently, the organizers used AI to whip up fancy promotional images that made it look like a Wonka-esque world. But when people arrived, they found a reality that was way off.

As per The Guardian, fans were greeted by a bare-bones warehouse filled with a few plastic props, a tiny bouncy castle, and some backdrops haphazardly taped to the walls. Soon, the police were called, the event was shut down, and parents reported their kids were in tears. With two scams like this popping up in a year, it is high time for fans to be smart and well-informed about where they spend their money. 

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What do you think about the Bridgerton-event scam? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!