Fyre Festival 2017: What Bella Hadid and Other Models Promised Vs. What Attendees Actually Got

The Victoria’s Secret Angels and other models have often been criticized for promoting false expectations about, say, how a bra will fit, or what women can expect their bodies to look like post-puberty. 

But now, models including Elsa Hosk, Emily Ratajkowski, Bella Hadid, Lais Ribeiro, Hailey Baldwin and more are being accused of participating in one of the greatest feats of false advertising to date.

Last December, a group of Insta-famous models were flown to the Bahamas where they frolicked on jet skis, held mini photoshoots on the beach, relaxed in world class villas and traveled on private planes, all to promote the Fyre Festival, a new music festival launched by Ja Rule, which was touted as “the new Coachella.”

Ticket prices ranged from $4,000 to $250,000 (for a group of 12)  for the fest, which was supposed to kick off last night, with headliners Blink 182, Major Lazer and Migos. Guests, who arrived at the privately owned island to kick off what was supposed to be a weekend of riches and music, were shocked to find that the festival was a disorganized mess lacking the most basic needs, let alone the luxury they were promised. After the island chaos, the festival was canceled.

Here, a comparison of the expectations inspired by the models’ jaunt to the Bahamas, versus what actually went down.

Lais Ribeiro
Expectation: Jetskis on the beach!

 

A post shared by Lais Ribeiro (@laisribeiro) on Dec 12, 2016 at 3:21am PST

Reality: Disaster relief tents on the beach.

In case you’re wondering, those “cabanas” are actually disaster relief tents.#fyrefestival pic.twitter.com/jaZpkIKVT2

— Matt Halfhill (@MattHalfhill) April 28, 2017

Rose Bertram
Expectation: Hanging out with all your friends!

 

A post shared by Rose Bertram (@rose_bertram) on Dec 11, 2016 at 1:25pm PST

Reality: Being locked in an airport with all your friends, plus some strangers. 

We have been locked indoors with no air NO FOOD and NO water #fyrefestival #fyrefest fyrefraud pic.twitter.com/wg5pZmSvnx

— Lamaan (@LamaanGallal) April 28, 2017

Elsa Hosk
Expectation: Picturesque photo ops!

 

A post shared by elsa hosk (@hoskelsa) on Dec 11, 2016 at 1:45pm PST

 

A post shared by elsa hosk (@hoskelsa) on Dec 12, 2016 at 9:22am PST

Reality: A great view of a porta-potty, plus some trash-strewn beaches.

Early report is that many of the tents aren’t assembled. Here’s their tropical private island owned by Escobar! #FyreFestival pic.twitter.com/TNzBDbNAUJ

— FyreFestivalFraud (@FyreFraud) April 27, 2017

Bella Hadid
Expectation: Relaxation!

 

A post shared by Bella Hadid (@bellahadid) on Dec 10, 2016 at 2:21pm PST

 

A post shared by Bella Hadid (@bellahadid) on Dec 11, 2016 at 11:34am PST

Reality: Chaos of passengers scrambling to leave the island.

They finally opened the doors to let some air in. The guy is ok. #fyrefestival pic.twitter.com/D7j5qtzsGi

— William N. Finley IV (@WNFIV) April 28, 2017

Emily Ratajkowski: 
Expectation: World class accommodations and toys!

 

A post shared by Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata) on Dec 12, 2016 at 7:57am PST

 

A post shared by Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata) on Dec 11, 2016 at 1:30pm PST

Reality: Shoddy lockers, “sandwiches” that are actually just slices of bread and cheese. 

These are the secure lockers at Fyre Fest. They forgot to tell us we needed locks. #fyrefestival #fyrefest pic.twitter.com/Tqyjqbg2Gy

— William N. Finley IV (@WNFIV) April 28, 2017

The dinner that @fyrefestival promised us was catered by Steven Starr is literally bread, cheese, and salad with dressing. #fyrefestival pic.twitter.com/I8d0UlSNbd

— Tr3vor (@trev4president) April 28, 2017

A view of the luxury food court with some luxury school bus transportation at Fyre Festival. #fyre #fyrefestival pic.twitter.com/XL3PtRw8q0

— William N. Finley IV (@WNFIV) April 28, 2017

Gizele Oliveira
Expectation: An opportunity to wear your brand new swimsuit!

 

A post shared by Gizele Oliveira (@giizeleoliveira) on Dec 13, 2016 at 1:14pm PST

Reality: Worried about whether or not that brand new swimsuit will be forever lost inside a massive shipping container.

This is how Fyre Fest handles luggage. Just drop it out of a shipping container. At night. With no lights. #fyrefestival pic.twitter.com/X5CdZRyJWo

— William N. Finley IV (@WNFIV) April 28, 2017

Hailey Baldwin
Expectation: Private jets!

 

A post shared by Hailey Baldwin (@haileybaldwin) on Dec 10, 2016 at 2:00pm PST

Reality: Overcrowded planes sitting on the tarmac for hours at a time. 

Boarding the “private” plane back to Miami. Fyre Fest gets 0/5 beltlines. They’ll be hearing from Stacy @MillerLawFirmNC #fyrefestival pic.twitter.com/pFLSWEwenV

— William N. Finley IV (@WNFIV) April 28, 2017