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 stop in New Orleans, Rebecca Fox of Metairie jumped in to block hotel rooms.

Fox says she charged a $25 deposit per person on top of the nearly $500 per room.

Last week, Fox said the hotel accepted her event, which she promoted on social media.

“They were extremely concerned, but I think when their marketing and sales manager said to them, ‘I don’t think you all understand what Taylor can and will do for our property,’ they changed their minds.” , Fox said.

Fox said she did not charge for the rooms or profit from the reservations. She said the $25 per person she charged was to fund her planned “Eras Convention.”

But when some Swift fans arrived at the convention and other Fox-promoted events, they were surprised and disappointed.

“Everyone works really hard for their money and any time you promise someone a product that they buy or an event, you have to give them what they paid for,” Maegan Traynom said.

Traynom said she came from Memphis, Tennessee, for a concert with her daughter. They did not stay at the Holiday Inn, but said they paid for several events hosted by Fox’s company, The Friendship Bracelet Project.

“The ballroom was completely empty and there were about three vendors,” Traynom said. “I asked them if we were in the right place and they said, ‘We have no idea.’ »

Traynom said that despite the disappointments, his family still had fun in New Orleans.

Attendees said other events promoted by Fox, including a dance party with DJs, did not live up to their billing. The DJ originally booked for the event said that despite multiple requests, Fox never confirmed the performance.

“I think by continuing to take people’s money, increasing the sales of these events, knowing that it wasn’t going to be what was advertised, I’m listening to enough podcasts. This seems like a scam to me,” said New Orleans DJ Warm Advice.

Fox said via text message that she had retained an attorney and declined several interview requests. She states in the text that her lawyer is abroad and wants her to wait before making a statement.

Fox posted on his Facebook page, however, writing: “I know I failed. I admitted that I had failed.

Dozens of people are now demanding refunds from Fox and Holiday Inn.

Security removed a WVUE reporter and refused to provide comment to anyone. IHG, Holiday Inn’s parent company, did not respond to questions.

Meanwhile, a Swift fan in Texas who was unable to attend last weekend but had friends who stayed at the hotel said she was worried about Fox making people whole and also for his mental health.

“There is an aspect of grace that must be acquired and forgiveness,” Julia Smith said.

A spokeswoman for Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said her office had not received any complaints about the event. The attorney general is, however, looking into claims of hotels canceling reservations and booking at higher rates.

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