Chrishell Stause, a woman known for perfectly pairing sparkling mini dresses and sky high pumps for a construction site inspection, is standing in the Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles in a floral corset top and a sweeping skirt that hits the tiled floor. Selling Sunset would never. But anything for Bridgerton. “I’m excited to curtsy in front of the queen,” Stause tells Tudum. She and the many influencers, reality stars and actors around her are in the right place then: the Queen’s Ball, known across the internet as “The Bridgerton Ball.”

Selling Sunset stars Chrishell Stause and Mary Fitzgerald walk the red carpet.

In celebration of Bridgerton’s return on March 25, Netflix is throwing elaborate balls around the country with a version of Queen Charlotte at the center. (LA’s ball takes place in the previously mentioned Biltmore.) Equally elaborate Regency-era attire is encouraged for attendees, but not required, as fans eat, drink and play at Bridgerton in the hopes of being crowned the diamond of the bash. This is “adult prom,” says head of experiences Greg Lombardo, and there are Bridgerton Easter eggs peppered throughout the space. 

A peek inside the modiste's shop.

A proper party is nothing without a cocktail list. May we recommend a Diamond of the Season?

“There’s an opportunity to put yourself in the show — it’s brought to life around you,” Lombardo, who managed the creation of the balls, tells Tudum from inside the fairy-light-laden main party ballroom. An orchestral version of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” hums out of the speakers. Later, the chandelier in the center of the room will spin as aerialists bearing a shocking resemblance to Bridgerton stars Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley perform atop it, dripping with yearning.   “This is the chance to really play a role for the night and to have your hero moment in a story that you really love,” Lombardo continues.   

The Bridgerton fairy-tale vibes start the moment you walk into the event space with a violet-hued hanging flora tunnel for an entrance. You will smell flowers and you will not be imagining things. (It’s a wisteria scent that’s being pumped through a little vent.) It’s a moment screaming to be Instagramed. Countless partygoers at Wednesday night’s preview event embraced the visual seduction, iPhone cameras akimbo. As Lombardo says, “We want to bring a theme park level experience.” 

Insecure star Sarunas J. Jackson and guest enter the Queen's Ball.

Once inside, guests will notice various costumes straight off the Bridgerton set, an obvious way to merge the fictional show with the very real event. Note cards peppered throughout the rooms offer less obvious nods: They’re riddles only Bridgerton superfans will be able to solve. There are digs at Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen), the drama’s simpering low-level antagonist, nods toward beloved couple Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page) and a callback to Lady Danbury’s (Adjoa Andoh) cutthroat, boozy card games.

The makings of a Bridgerton scavenger hunt. What a sparkling clue.

A ball attendant entices visitors to test their detective skills with the “scavenger hunt,” as Lombardo calls it, which guides guests throughout the space. “That’s something that is there for those who want to go the extra mile,” Lombardo continues. “That will unlock some special little rewards for folks.” 

Currying favor with the ball’s version of Charlotte (played in Bridgerton by Golda Rosheuvel) is another way to win a special reward. After all, someone has to be named the diamond. The first rule: dress the part. As Insecure alum Yvonne Orji tells Tudum, “I’m bringing you a little Nigerian royalty, so it’s very different from British royalty.” Next, there’s an opportunity to literally bow to the queen as she and her lady-in-waiting judge from a painstakingly crafted recreation of Queen Charlotte’s TV throne room. As promised, Chrishell Stause, among others, did present themselves to Her Majesty. 

Content creator Natasha Polis presents herself to the Queen.

During the curtsy-heavy portion of the evening, one can hear piping hot commentary out of the speakers. It’s the kind of live critique that would make Lady Whistledown proud, as the voice goes from playfully suggestive — “You know what they say about a lady and crimson: She can turn a man’s cheek the same color” — to downright shady when someone’s bow turns into more of a trip. (“​​Did you fall over? Are you quite alright?”) This is the ball’s answer to Whistledown, here posed as a protégé   of the ton’s rumor-peddling grande dame. 

Insecure royalty Yvonne Orji is yours, truly, Queen Charlotte.

“That provides us this incredible opportunity to speak directly with the audience and embrace the gossip and the scandal piece [of Bridgerton],” Lombardo says. “It’s only really possible because Lady Whistledown herself validates that character.” Julie Andrews’ narration as Whistledown can also be heard during the event, in conjunction with her live protégé. 

Once the queen is finished judging her subjects, it’s time to dance. The ball’s leading man, a character named Wilfred Fitzwilliam, and, later, a burlesque-style dancer instruct their fellow party people in Regency-appropriate dances. The decision is meant to “empower” guests to get on the floor, despite the assumed difficulty of Regency-era moves. Despite the complicated steps, partygoers quickly get the hang of the routines. 

The queen starts her search for the diamond of the night.

There’s a lot of joy in watching strangers attempt what appears to be the Regency Macarena, as led by a woman in a bumblebee-patterned corset, or witnessing a searingly sexy interpretive dance to a violin Bridgerton cover. All of these moments lead to the crowning of the ball’s diamond. The result is a moment destined to be Boomeranged, where glitter rains down on the honoree. There’s a reason this section of the night is Lombardo’s favorite. Whether you’re the diamond — or simply a looker-on — you’ll feel the magic. And maybe get some sparkles stuck in your hair. 

It’s a small price to pay to truly lose oneself in the art of the swoon, dear reader.

Inside the ballroom with the main dancers of the night.

The crowd gets into the Regency spirit.

To see a chandelier spin is very different from hearing about it.

A moment that Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma would appreciate.

The queen takes one final moment to enjoy the adoration of her subjects.

The crowning of the diamond: 'Snowfall' star Angela Lewis. It's more like glitterfall tonight.