Fyre Festival Bahamas Controversy: Event Called Off By Organizers Following Massive Chaos Of Cancelled Flights, Less-Than-Luxury Food And Accommodations; Ja Rule, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid And Other Influencers Face Social Media Backlash

Fyre Festival, of which was initially billeted as the exotic island destination festival of the year, debuted in massive chaos in its opening weekend as reports flooded in on social media about cancelled flights and musical acts, unimpressive catering and accommodations, and backlash from dissatisfied attendees.

The Los Angeles Times said the “immersive musical” event, expected to be attended by thousands of people, was supposed to be held over two consecutive weekends, April 28-30 and May 5-7, on a remote island in Fyre Cay in the Exumas, a string of islands located in the Bahamas. Initial plans will have artists such as Blink-182, Disclosure, Kaytranada, Migos, Rae Sremmurd, Tyga, Desiigner, Pusha T., Major Lazer to perform at the event, and organizers promised that dozens of other artists and surprise-guests will also headline the event. Moreover, the event is supposed to host a festival-wide hunt, wherein over a million dollars’ worth in jewelry, cash, and other goodies will be up for grabs. The event, which was co-created by rapper Ja Rule and entrepreneur Billy McFarland, offered packages that should include all-access artist passes, VIP accommodations and gourmet meals catered by a top-notch outfit.

However, social media accounts by attendees shut these expectations down. The event, of which its tickets are being sold from USD450 to USD12,000, was far from the expectations organizers have promised in its marketing. William N. Finley IV was one of the many attendees who documented the event on the ground, which showed disorganization, flight cancellations, makeshift food tents with cafeteria food, limited disaster tents, and people either stranded at airports, trying to get decent services in the island, or trying to get flights back to Miami. Blink 182, a major headliner, canceled their plans to perform.

The organizers has since apologized early Friday morning in a statement on their website and said, "Due to circumstances out of our control, the physical infrastructure was not in place on time and we are unable to fulfill on that vision safely and enjoyably for our guests. The festival is being postponed until we can further assess if and when we are able to create the high-quality experience we envisioned."

But the Bahamian Ministry of Tourism entirely blamed the organizers in a separate statement. Ja Rule has since released a short statement as well, saying that he’s “heartbroken” about the event, and promised that they are working right now and will be issuing full refunds. Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and a bevy of other supermodels who appeared in the festival’s promotional video and marketed the Fyre Festival in their social media accounts, appeared to be far away from Bahamas, but got a fair share of slamming from festival goers. A source said that celebrities were actually warned not to go to the festival until “all kinks have been worked out.”