Adrian
The much-hyped Fyre Festival 2, a redo of the infamous 2017 event, has been postponed, according to ticketing partner SoldOut.com. The event, initially scheduled for May 30 to June 2 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, has sparked renewed debate about society’s fascination with scammers and their grandiose schemes. Oren Aks, the former social media designer for the original Fyre Festival, spoke exclusively to Fox News Digital, shedding light on the cultural phenomenon surrounding the event and its controversial creator, Billy McFarland.
OREN AKS, who worked with Jerry Media on the original festival’s graphic design and social media strategy, expressed bewilderment at the public’s continued interest in Fyre Festival. “Why is this so fascinating to people? It’s a big meme. Because it’s a meme, it keeps memeing, and we’re just reinventing the meme,” he said. “I get it in terms of pop culture, but the worldview of this story doesn’t make sense.”
The first Fyre Festival, marketed as a luxury music experience in the Bahamas, became a global scandal when attendees arrived to find subpar accommodations, canceled performances, and chaos. The event’s failure inspired documentaries on Hulu and Netflix, turning it into a cultural touchstone. Now, some view Fyre Festival 2 as an inside joke, while others see it as a second chance for McFarland, who served prison time for fraud related to the 2017 debacle.
Aks recalled the moment he realized the original festival was doomed. “When we arrived, I saw the FEMA-style tents, and that was the moment it all hit,” he said. “The logistics didn’t work out, but I assumed someone else was handling it. I was just the graphic designer.”
In the age of social media, Aks noted, society often glorifies scammers like Anna Delvey and even criminal suspects, turning them into icons. “We look at them like they’re iconic. If you met Billy, you wouldn’t be impressed,” he said. “We vilify successful entrepreneurs and glorify the scammy, the evil. It’s a worrying societal shift.”
Fyre Festival 2 organizers have faced skepticism from local governments. Playa del Carmen officials recently denied knowledge of the event, prompting a response from McFarland and his team. “FYRE has been working directly with the government of Playa del Carmen since March 5, 2025, to ensure a safe and successful event,” organizers stated, sharing screenshots of permits and communications.
Tickets for the event ranged from $1,400 for general admission to over $1 million for a luxury package including private air and yacht travel. Despite the postponement, McFarland remains determined to make Fyre Festival 2 a reality. “Either way, I don’t think it’s happening anymore,” Aks said. “But if it does, it just won’t be relevant again.”
The original Fyre Festival’s failure led to a 2021 settlement with 277 ticket holders, who were awarded $7,220 each. Whether Fyre Festival 2 will follow a similar trajectory remains to be seen.
**Sources:**
[Fox News Digital](https://www.foxnews.com)
[Fyre Festival 2 Official Website](https://www.fyrefestival.com)
[WATCH: Fyre Festival Founder Billy McFarland Speaks with Jesse Watters](https://www.foxnews.com/video)
