Metairie woman who booked 191 hotel rooms has hired a lawyer as Swifties suspect they were scammed

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Some Swifties now have “bad blood” with a Metairie woman who booked 191 rooms at the Holiday Inn Downtown for Taylor Swift’s concert series last weekend.

When Swift announced the end of her tour in New Orleans, Metairie’s Rebecca Fox rushed to block hotel rooms. She says she took a $25 deposit per person on top of nearly $500 for the room. Fox said last week that the hotel had agreed to her event, which she posted about on social media.

“They were very scared, but I think once their marketing and sales guy said, ‘I don’t think you all understand what Taylor can do and what he’ll bring to our property,’ they changed their minds.” Fox said.

Fox said she did not charge extra for the rooms and did not make a profit on the bookings. She said the $25 per person she charged went toward funding her planned “Eras Convention.” But when some Swifties arrived at the convention and other Fox-sponsored events, they were surprised and disappointed.

“Everyone works really hard for their money. And any time someone is promised a product they’re buying or an event, they should be given what they paid for,” said Megan Trainom, who traveled from Memphis for the concert.

Trainom said she was traveling with her daughter. They did not stay at the Holiday Inn, but said they paid for several events organized by Fox’s unit, the Friendship Bracelet Project.

“The ballroom was completely empty and there were about three vendors there,” Trainom 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: VVUE)

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

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

“I think continuing to take money from people, driving sales of these events, knowing that it won’t be what was advertised… I listen to enough podcasts. Sounds like a scam to me,” the New Orleans DJ told Warm Advice.

Fox said in a text message that she had hired an attorney and declined several interview requests. She wrote that her lawyer was out of the country and wanted her to wait before testifying. She wrote on her Facebook page: “I know I failed. I accepted that I failed.”

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

When Fox 8 went to the hotel Thursday (Oct. 31), security shooed away a reporter and refused to make anyone available for comment. IHG, Holiday Inn’s parent company, did not respond to questions.

Meanwhile, one Swift fan from Texas who couldn’t attend last weekend’s event but had friends staying at the hotel said she’s not only concerned about Foxx making people healthy, but also about Foxx’s mental health.

“There needs to be an aspect of grace and forgiveness,” Julia Smith said.

Louisiana Attorney General spokeswoman Liz Murrill said her office had not received any complaints about the event. The Prosecutor General’s Office is reviewing complaints from hotels canceling reservations and rebooking them at higher prices.

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