NEW ORLEANS (WVUE/Gray News) – Some Taylor Swift fans now have “bad blood” with a Louisiana woman who booked 191 rooms at the Holiday Inn Downtown in New Orleans for the pop star’s concert series last weekend.
When Swift announced her New Orleans tour stop, Metairie’s Rebecca Fox jumped to block hotel rooms.
Fox says she charged a deposit of $25 per person on top of the nearly $500 per room.
Last week, Fox said the hotel agreed to her event, which she promoted on social media.
“They were extremely apprehensive, but I think once their marketing and sales person said, ‘I don’t think you all understand what Taylor can do and will bring to our property,’ they changed their minds,” Fox said.
Fox said she did not upcharge for the rooms, nor profit off the bookings. She said the $25 per person she charged went to fund her planned “Eras Convention.”
But when some Swift fans arrived for the convention and other events promoted by Fox, they were surprised and disappointed.
“Everybody works really hard for their money and anytime somebody is promised a product that they are purchasing or an event, then they should be given what they paid for,” Maegan Traynom said.
Traynom said she traveled from Memphis, Tennessee, for a concert with her daughter. They did not stay at the Holiday Inn, but said they paid for multiple events hosted by Fox’s business, The Friendship Bracelet Project.
“The ballroom was completely empty and there were like three vendors,” Traynom said. “I asked them if we were in the right place and they were like, ‘We have no idea.’”
Traynom said that despite the letdowns, her family still had fun in New Orleans.
Attendees said other events Fox promoted, including a DJ dance party, did not live up to their billing. The DJ originally booked for the event said that despite multiple inquiries, Fox never confirmed the performance.
“I think continuing to take people’s money, push the sales of these events, knowing it would not be what was advertised, I listen to enough podcasts. It sounds like a scam to me,” said New Orleans DJ Warm Advice.
Fox said by text that she has retained an attorney and declined several requests for an interview. She claimed in the text that her attorney is out of the country and wants her to wait before giving a statement.
Fox did post to her Facebook page though, writing “I know I failed. I’ve admitted I failed.”
Dozens of people are now demanding refunds from Fox and the Holiday Inn.
Security turned a WVUE reporter away and declined to provide anyone for comment. IHG, the Holiday Inn parent company, did not respond to questions.
Meanwhile, one Swift fan in Texas who could not attend last weekend but had friends who stayed at the hotel, said she has concerns about Fox making people whole and also for her mental health.
“There’s an aspect of grace that needs to be had and forgiveness,” said Julia Smith.
A spokesperson for Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said her office has not received complaints about the event. The Attorney General is looking into claims of hotels canceling reservations though and rebooking at higher rates.
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