On Friday, March 22, students got a taste of the British Regency period via “The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience” held by Jaguar Productions (JP). Upon entering the student center ballroom, guests walked through a flower and vine canopy with fairy lights. Flowers adorned the ceiling and tables and chairs were decorated with white cloth, flower petals, and feathers. A variety of hors d’oeuvres was offered, and music ranged from classical to songs like Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” and Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz’s “Get Low.”

The Netflix series “Bridgerton” is based on a book series authored by Julia Quinn, also titled “Bridgerton.” The series is a historical romance held in regency era England and follows the love lives of the Bridgerton siblings. A staple in the series are the extravagant balls in which the characters partake in. Across North America, these balls have been replicated to create immersive experiences that people can pay to participate in. JP’s ball came two months shy of the show’s third season premiere.

Kyla McKinney, the special events chair of JP and the person who orchestrated the Bridgerton Experience at South, said she was inspired to host the ball after scrolling through TikTok and seeing videos of the Bridgerton Experience on her “’For You’ page.”

“I was like, ‘this would be something cool to recreate at South’s campus. I feel like the students would enjoy it, especially with the new season coming out,’” McKinney said.

As part of the planning process, McKinney watched the show and studied details to implement into the ball. She incorporated floral decorations, a violinist, and Queen Charlotte, who she put her own spin on by getting drag queen Misty Knight to play the reputable character.

“We go to this conference called NACA, and this is where I found our acts that we have,” McKinney said. “I tried to catch an audience that we don’t catch a lot. We definitely caught it and it turned out great to me.”

Students agreed that the ball was a success. “It’s actually, I would say more than what I was thinking because I was thinking they were only going to have classical music but it’s still on theme and everything [and] it’s very beautiful,” guest Desirae Barnes said.

Later into the night, Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury, portrayed by JP President Simone Holmes, crowned the Diamond of the Ball: Millee Joy. Her name was chosen at random.

“I [felt] nervous and excited at the same time,” Joy said. “I didn’t really want to get [diamond of the ball] because I felt like other people deserved it more but I’m happy that I got to stand up there and accept something like this.”

Accompanying Joy was her best friend Jade Laffiette. Laffiette was overjoyed about Joy’s win saying, “My best friend won it. I’m really a big fan of the show. I know all the details but the fact that she won means that I won, her moment was my moment. I’m just so happy and proud of her. She’s so beautiful and even though she was shy, she really was [the] diamond of the ball.”

For more details on the Bridgerton Ball and future events being held by JP, students can look on the organization’s instagram.