Ja Rule offered an apology for the disastrous Fyre Festival and said that everyone who had traveled to the event is “safe”, E! News reports.
The Friday’s opening event was held in the Bahamas and costs between $1,000 and $12,000. The festival-goers reported difficulties in getting flights back to the US, fights over food, “refugee camp” conditions, and “chaos” at the scene. It was soon suspended.
“Relieved to share that all guest[s] are safe, and have been sent the form to apply for a refund. Our deepest apologies… #fyrefestival,” Ja Rule, who co-founded the event, posted on Twitter Sunday:
Relieved to share that all guest are safe, and have been sent the form to apply for a refund. Our deepest apologies… #fyrefestival
— Ja Rule (@Ruleyork) April 30, 2017
The rapper responded after the postponement and chaos issues, “I wanted this to be an amazing event…it was NOT A SCAM as everyone is reporting.”
He continued, “I truly apologize as this is NOT MY FAULT but I’m taking responsibility I’m deeply sorry to everyone who was inconvenienced by this…”:
— Ja Rule (@Ruleyork) April 28, 2017
His last statement had provoked mockery.
A message posted on the event’s website Saturday said organizers were “simply in over our heads” in their effort to “build a city” on the site, which included setting up water and waste management, transporting guests from Miami and preparing sleeping accommodations amid “rough weather.”
“We thought we were ready, but then everyone arrived,” the statement said.
Ja Rule and other organizers said guests would be refunded.
“#FyreFestival is a dream & vision we poured our hearts & souls into creating, 2017 fell dramatically short of even modest expectations,” a message posted on the event’s Twitter page Sunday. “We’re heartbroken that we let down all the guests who put their faith in us. To our guests and staff—thank you again for your all patience as we navigate our next steps. We owe you an apology. Guests have been sent a form that will provide the necessary information to apply for a refund.”
Supermodel Bella Hadid had earlier promoted the luxurious festival on social media. She released an statement on Instagram about the disaster Saturday.
“I initially trusted this would be an amazing and memorable experience for all of us, which is why I agreed to do one promotion…not knowing about the disaster that was to come,” she wrote. “I feel so sorry and badly because this is something I couldn’t stand by, although of course if I would have known about the outcome, you would have all known too.”
