Taylor Swift fans claim the woman who booked 191 hotel rooms before the concert ripped them off

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 last weekend for the pop star’s concert series.

When Swift announced her tour stop in New Orleans, Metairie’s Rebecca Fox jumped to block hotel rooms.

Fox says she charged a $25 per person deposit 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 concerned, but I think they changed their minds when their marketing and sales representative said, ‘I don’t think you all understand what Taylor can do and will bring to our property,’” Fox said.

Fox said she had not charged higher prices for the rooms or profited from the bookings. She said the $25 per person she charged funded her planned “Eras Convention.”

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

“Everyone works very hard for their money and every time someone is promised a product they will buy or organizes an event, they should get what they paid for,” said Maegan Traynom.

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 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.’”

A Louisiana woman booked 191 hotel rooms for Taylor Swift’s three weekend concerts in New Orleans. (Source: WVUE)

Traynom said her family still had fun in New Orleans despite the disappointments.

Attendees said other events Fox promoted, including a DJ dance party, did not meet their expectations. The DJ who originally booked the event said that despite multiple inquiries, Fox never confirmed the performance.

“I think by taking people’s money and pushing sales at these events, knowing it wouldn’t 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 message that she has retained an attorney and declined several requests for an interview. She claims in the text message that her lawyer is out of the country and wants her to wait before making a statement.

Fox did post a message on her Facebook page, writing, “I know I failed. I have admitted that I have failed.”

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

Security turned away a WVUE reporter and declined to provide anyone for comment. IHG, Holiday Inn’s parent company, did not respond to questions.

Meanwhile, a Swift fan in Texas, who couldn’t attend last weekend but had friends staying at the hotel, said she’s concerned about Fox making people healthy and also about her mental health.

“There is an aspect of grace that we need, and of forgiveness,” Julia Smith said.

A spokesperson for Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said her office has not received any complaints about the event. However, the attorney general is investigating claims of hotels canceling and rebooking reservations at higher rates.