Organizers of a fan-run Taylor Swift celebration in Orlando abruptly canceled the event after Eras Tour dancer Kameron Saunders said he was never booked and his name had been used without his consent.
The gathering, promoted as “Taylor Weekend” and set for Oct. 3–5, had promised a "special lunch and performance" with Saunders and other Taylor-themed parties, with tickets reportedly priced as high as $300. Saunders posted on Instagram that he was not associated with the event, would not be in Orlando and had not consented to meet fans or take part in any scheduled appearances.
"It has been brought to my attention that there is a fan set to host what's being called 'Taylor Weekend' on October 5 in Orlando," Saunders wrote, according to a copy of the post circulated online. He said the event had been charging "crazy prices" for opportunities described as a luncheon, meet-and-greet and a performance, and called those claims "a lie." He apologized to fans who had bought tickets and urged people to assume an event is not legitimate unless he posts about it himself.
The event's website, which is password-protected, posted an update saying the organizers were "just as surprised" and that a deposit and contract were already in place. The organizers said they had taken steps to verify the arrangement and were working to trace where funds were directed and "determine the best path forward." They apologized to ticket buyers and asked for patience as they sought to resolve the situation.
Organizers reportedly told media they had a contract with what they described as Saunders’ "old management team" and that a deposit had been paid. Saunders reposted the organizers' statement and disputed that account, saying he had only ever had one management team.
Promotional materials for the weekend also reportedly included promises of a live video call or prerecorded message from Swift herself. A February post by the Facebook account tied to the event organizer, GenZTrendy, said the celebration was fan-organized and not officially affiliated with Swift or her management, and that all rights remained with the respective owners.
Saunders, who performed as a backup dancer on Swift's Eras Tour, which concluded late last year, wrote that he had no idea whether the event would go ahead after his denial of involvement. Social media users reacted with disbelief, with some likening the canceled gatherings to the notorious Fyre Festival and labeling the incident "Fyre Festival 2.0."
The Daily Mail reported it had reached out to Saunders, representatives for Taylor Swift and the event organizers for comment. As of the organizers' update, they said they were working to trace funds and review contractual arrangements; they did not provide details about refunds or next steps for ticketholders.
The episode highlights the risks associated with fan-organized events that advertise celebrity appearances, especially when third-party access to performers is claimed. Organizers said they believed verification steps had been taken prior to ticket sales, and Saunders urged fans to rely on announcements made directly on his verified channels.
No representatives for Swift or Saunders provided additional comment in the public accounts cited by local media; the organizers said they were continuing an inquiry into the alleged misrepresentation and financial transactions related to the event.