• Fyre Festival 2 is a go, according to the original event's founder Billy McFarland.
• The original Fyre Festival was a disaster, resulting in McFarland serving several years in prison for financial crimes.
• The new festival is set to happen in Isla Mujeres from May 30 to June 2.

It's been eight years since the disastrous Fyre Festival, but founder Billy McFarland insists that a second attempt is still in the works, though details are scant.

"FYRE 2 is real. My dream is finally becoming a reality," McFarland told NBC's "Today" show in an interview that aired on Monday.

The original Fyre Festival took place on the island of Great Exuma in the Bahamas. "Took place" is loose parlance — sure, people arrived in the Bahamas for a music festival. But they were famously greeted with catastrophe: The promised "luxury lodging" was actually tents, "gourmet food" was haphazard cheese sandwiches, and the artists set to perform simply weren't there.

The infamous event was chronicled in two dueling documentaries: Netflix's "FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened" and Hulu's "Fyre Fraud." McFarland himself was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud charges tied to the festival. He was released in March 2022 after serving less than four years.

McFarland first announced his intent to engineer a second Fyre Festival in an April 2023 post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Then in August, McFarland announced in a video uploaded to his personal YouTube channel that tickets were on sale despite no details about what the event would entail. McFarland claimed his first batch of 100 tickets sold out.

More than a year after McFarland's initial announcement, plenty of questions still remain about the festival and the founder still has limited answers.

Here's everything we know about Fyre Festival 2.

Why is Billy McFarland organizing another Fyre Festival?

After the disastrous results of the original festival, McFarland seems determined to redeem himself.

"FYRE 2 really isn't about the past, and it's not really about me. It's about taking the vision, which is strong," McFarland told the "Today" show.

McFarland spent time in solitary confinement in 2020 and 2021 after participating in an interview on the podcast "Dumpster Fyre," his attorney told Business Insider. It was there, McFarland said, that he dreamed up his new venture.

"It really all started during this seven-month stint in solitary confinement," he said in the Fyre Festival 2 announcement video. "I wrote out this 50-page plan of how I would take this overall interest and demand in Fyre, and how I would take my ability to bring people from around the world together to make the impossible happen, but how I would find the best partners in the world to allow me to be me while executing Fyre's vision to the highest level."

McFarland also said in an April 2023 X post, after announcing Fyre Festival 2, that it was "in the best interest" of the people to whom he owes money for him to continue working.

McFarland was released from federal prison in March 2022 and transferred into "community confinement" in New York. Entertainment Weekly reported that he's since been on supervised release.

When and where is Fyre Festival 2?

Fyre Festival 2 will take place in Isla Mujeres, Mexico from May 30 to June 2.

It's not surprising that the festival won't take place in the Bahamas again. The country's Ministry of Tourism previously told CBS News in a statement that the "government of The Bahamas will not endorse or approve any event associated with" McFarland, saying that he's "considered to be a fugitive" in the nation.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, conducted in June 2024 and published in September 2024, McFarland said that his festival partners would be scouting locations in Honduras, Belize, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica, and Panama. The Journal reported that discussions about the festival taking place in Honduras have been ongoing since February, Coral View Beach Resort owner Heath Miller said.

This time around, McFarland will be working with a production company that bought a 51% stake in Fyre Media, a talent management company, and a US festival operator. An Instagram post shared by McFarland on Monday revealed that the three-day festival will be produced by live event producer Lostnights. The partners SoldOut and FriendlySky will handle ticketing and hospitality packages for the guests.

McFarland will be more hands-on with the festival's marketing and promotional events.

"I'm sure many people think I'm crazy for doing this again. But I feel I'd be crazy not to do it again," McFarland said in a statement included in his Instagram post. "After years of reflection and now thoughtful planning, the new team and I have amazing plans for FYRE 2. The adventure seekers who trust the vision and take the leap will help make history. Thank you to my partners for the second chance."

How to get Fyre Festival 2 tickets

People interested in attending the festival should be prepared to shell out a hefty amount of money, even for the cheapest tickets. On Monday, McFarland announced that 2,000 tickets ranging from $1,400 for general access to $1.1 million for the highest tier were now on sale.

When the first batch of tickets was released in 2023, the festival website and McFarland himself said that tickets had already sold out — but it's difficult to verify that claim. At least a couple of people seem to have genuinely bought tickets, though: The Washington Post and CBS News both spoke to Victoria Medvedenko, who purchased tickets for her and her boyfriend at $549.89 each.

Medvedenko, a 20-year-old nursing student, told the Washington Post she wasn't very concerned about how the festival might turn out. "I'm sure I'll get my money back so I don't really see it as much of a loss either way."

Her boyfriend, Cooper Sinkiawic, told CBS News the couple's biggest worry was whether major acts would be willing to sign on to the festival. While they're "optimistic," he said, they're not ruling out the possibility of "some cheese sandwiches."

McFarland announced in a since-deleted statement on his Instagram in August 2023 that all revenue from ticket sales would be held in escrow until the announcement of the final date — meaning that a third party will hold them until that condition is satisfied. In his interview with the Journal, McFarland reiterated that the money from the aforementioned sales remains in escrow.

In a statement provided to Business Insider on February 24, 2025, Fyre 2's head of sales said, "We've already sold over $1,500,000 of tickets."

Who's on the lineup for Fyre Festival 2?

There isn't one yet. So, again: TBD!

"We're going to have artists across electronic, hip hop, pop, and rock," McFarland told the "Today" show. "However, it's not just music. We might have a professional skateboarder do a demonstration. We might have an MMA champion teach you techniques in the morning."

McFarland skirted around follow-up questions regarding the lineup before saying that the festival still hasn't secured any artists yet but he's hopeful.

His Instagram post said that there would be "international and emerging talent, taking guests on boundary-pushing excursions by day and uniting for intimate beach-side performances by night."

As for other events, McFarland said in his previous announcement video that he was working with "one of the biggest and best TV companies in the world" to produce yet another documentary titled "After the Fyre." He also said he was working with "one of the biggest production companies" on a deal to produce "Fyre Festival: The Broadway Musical," which is admittedly much more intriguing than the prospect of another Fyre Festival itself.

McFarland said there will also be pop-ups and events "around the world" in the lead-up to the festival — at least four, per the festival site.

Only time will tell if everything manifests — and McFarland knows his reputation for follow-through isn't the best.

"I think it's always a risk," he told the "Today" show. "You're taking a risk because I made a lot of bad decisions and messed up the first festival. Until it's experienced, there is a risk component to it."

Palmer Haasch contributed to an earlier version of this story.

• Polynesia is a popular honeymoon destination, but I traveled there solo and had a wonderful time.
• I rented my own scooter and stayed in guesthouses, a different experience than most honeymooners.
• Although the islands can be luxurious, I had the most unique experiences off the beaten path.

I know several people who honeymooned on the French Polynesia islands, and their photos looked marvelous.

The islands seem great for couples — US News even named two of them (Bora Bora and Tahiti) as some of the best spots for newlyweds in 2025.

However, I wanted to see if Polynesia is also a worthwhile destination for a solo trip.

Here's how I spent a week island-hopping around Polynesia all by myself.

I started my Polynesian getaway in Tahiti

To kick off my trip, I flew Air Tahiti Nui to the largest island in French Polynesia, Tahiti.

I landed early in the morning, and my room at Te Moana Tahiti Resort wasn't ready yet.

So, I started exploring the area right away. There were yellow mopeds in front of the hotel that I could rent by downloading an app on my phone.

I named my scooter Lemondrop and spent the entire day with her.

The first stop was grabbing a bite to eat at Snack De Mairipehe — which ended up being one of the best meals I've ever had.

It was my first time trying poisson cru, a delicious dish that consists of raw fish marinated in citrus juice and coconut milk alongside cucumbers, tomatoes, and avocados.

Some local recommendations filled out the rest of my day

At the restaurant, a local told me about Tahiti Iti, a reef break that offers some of the best surfing in the Pacific Ocean. Of course, I had to see for myself.

I rode over, and when I arrived, I saw some people about to leave the shore on a small boat. I asked if I could join, paid a small fee, and found myself on a 30-minute tour to the break to see the surfers up close.

It was one of the coolest travel experiences I've ever had.

I also stopped to see the Arahoho Blowhole and the Plage Ahonu black-sand beach before heading back to my hotel.

There were surprises around every corner in Tahiti

The next day, I strolled through the island's popular Marche de Papeete market, where I sampled several local foods.

I also took a wrong turn and ended up on a neighborhood street closed off for an outdoor game of bingo. The locals encouraged me to join, and I won on my first try.

The unplanned moment remains one of my favorite memories from the trip — it gave me a warm glimpse into the local culture.

Next, I made my way to Raiatea

The next leg of my trip was on Raiatea, which was only a 45-minute flight away. It's considered a sacred island in Polynesian spirituality and home to the Marae Taputapuātea UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I stayed in a mother-daughter-run bed and breakfast called Niu Shack. My room was in a hut in the jungle, and the mother cooked all my meals with fresh fruits from her extensive garden.

Beyond the stunning accommodations, the highlight was trying my hand at sailing on a double-hulled Holopuni canoe.

I was excited to explore the Marquesas Islands

Next, I visited one of the most remote archipelagos in the world, the Marquesas Islands.

I had to get back to Tahiti, and then it was a three-hour flight to Nuka Hiva, the largest of the islands.

I loved staying with a local family in Pension Tokaeva guesthouse. It was fascinating to slow down and converse with the family — thank you, Google Translate — and learn more about their lives and culture.

My last stop was Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands

For the final leg of my journey, I flew to Hiva Oa, the second largest of the Marquesas Islands. I rented a car — which was an interesting adventure itself — and visited the Paul Gauguin Cultural Center to learn more about the French artist.

The most memorable part of my time on the island, however, was traversing the lush, mountainous cliffside in search of local tiki makers.

I ended up purchasing two tikis, one stone and one wooden, from two different villages an hour away from each other.

I loved my trip, and I didn't feel out of place as a solo traveler

I was worried the Polynesian islands would be full of loved-up newlyweds — and that many of the local attractions would be catered to them. Luckily, that wasn't my experience.

I had a fabulous time exploring a few of the islands by myself and was able to connect with locals along the way.

I could see why someone would want to celebrate love in a place like Tahiti, but I'd be excited to come back with or without a partner.

• Only three women in Oscars history have won best director.
• "The Woman King" and "Till," both directed by women of color, were not nominated in 2023.
• Director Greta Gerwig was snubbed in 2020 for "Little Women" and again for "Barbie" in 2024.

In the 97-year history of the Academy Awards, only nine women have ever been nominated for best director, and only three have won.

In 2024, director Justine Triet was nominated for "Anatomy of a Fall," but many were angered that Greta Gerwig was not nominated for "Barbie," which got a best picture nod.

This year, French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat became the ninth woman ever nominated in the best director category for "The Substance."

Here are 24 times the Oscars snubbed female directors.

• Veronica Cardenas is the daughter of two immigrants from South America.
• She worked as a prosecutor for ICE, but eventually decided she had to quit.
• Her private practice allows her to bring together her family history and professional expertise.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Veronica Cardenas, founder of Humanigration. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I grew up feeling pressure to succeed, so that everything my parents went through would be worth it. My dad is an immigrant from Peru. He came to the US with legal status when he was 17, after a long seven-year wait for a family visa.

Soon after, he met my mom. She was from Colombia and had crossed the southern border without documentation. She had been detained and was facing deportation. They married quickly, in part to give my mother legal standing in the country. They're still together 41 years later.

My mom faced a lot of hardships in Colombia that she's only started talking about recently. As a child, I only knew that she put her dreams aside to raise her four children, and she felt some resentment about that. Knowing that motivated me to work extra hard with the opportunities I had that my mom never did.

I felt torn between 2 identities

Although I was born a US citizen, I always felt like I was stuck between two worlds. I never felt fully Latina or fully American.

Despite that, I was driven. I became the first in my family to attend college and later law school. Being a lawyer felt prestigious, and as a minority, the law was very important to me because it defined my rights and boundaries.

I aced my classes on immigration law, but I wanted to practice anything but that. My whole life story had been tied to immigration. Still, I applied for an internship with the Department of Homeland Security when a friend encouraged me to. After graduation and passing the bar, I became a trial attorney for the government, prosecuting immigration cases.

The job seemed to shift within a few years

At the time, I was working in New York City, litigating many asylum hearings. As the government counsel, my job was to argue against asylum seekers. At the time, most of the cases I prosecuted were granted asylum, so I didn't feel the sting of being responsible for someone's deportation.

I moved into a two-year role with investigations related to major crimes. Trying people responsible for sex trafficking and other serious crimes was rewarding. My team often helped the victims of trafficking get legal status or reunite with their families.

After that, I returned to court in New York City, but the job felt very different. There were lots of people stopped at the border and minors in court by themselves. I'm a professional who worked very hard to become good at my job. I wasn't going to throw the book at a minor who was undefended.

I needed a stable job, but I eventually resigned

At the time, I was going through a difficult divorce and providing for my two children. The pay and security of a government job were appealing. But I began to feel more tension with my work. I realized I never talked about it with my family.

Ultimately, I felt like I had to resign. I believe we can enforce immigration laws humanely without people risking their lives or their children. Yet, I no longer saw that happening in the courtroom. I stepped down in 2023.

Today I work in a private practice

I started a private practice defending people facing immigration removal. I realized how fraught immigration was. When I was working for the government, it was easy to believe that I was a wall defending the country from potentially dangerous immigrants. Suddenly, I was hearing from client after client about the way the immigration system mistreated them. I still believe we need immigration laws, but they need to be enforced with fairness and justice.

In addition to my private practice, I started Humanigration, an organization that educates immigration lawyers about the rights of noncitizens. I also hold community events to educate noncitizens about their rights.

At the end of the day, everyone in this country is an immigrant. We shouldn't forget this. Today, my parents and immediate family are all citizens. I now have three kids, and I tell them about their family's immigration story with pride.

President Donald Trump and Elon Musk confirmed they are considering a proposal to send $5,000 "DOGE Dividends."

The shelter employees told the adopter the previous family was facing deportation.

In one magical moment, Fletcher found a way to let Brandon and Talia know that they would be his forever owners.

According to a memo circulated among NBC staff, Holt will remain in a full-time capacity as the principal anchor of "Dateline."

The Houston Chronicle Editorial Board condemned the reported plans in an op-ed on Saturday.

Russia targeted 12 Ukrainian oblast in huge attacks utilizing various types of drones on the third anniversary of Moscow's invasion.

Tony Fabrizio outlined vulnerabilities for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections after polling found many remain concerned about their financial situation.

A former star and champion of the Ohio State Buckeyes has passed away at the age of 30.

"Not sure how to put this, but he looks like you and you look like him. You guys just complete each other so much," one user commented.

The cities argued that the restrictions were enacted to curb disturbing behavior from protesters outside health care facilities.

A CBP spokesperson told Newsweek that there has been a 29 percent increase in eggs being detained at ports of entry.

A family therapist told Newsweek that the marriage "should probably end" if the husband does not change.

Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has revealed that he hopes to bow out of the UFC with a final fight in his home state.

The U.S. and Ukraine are closing in on minerals agreement worth hundreds of billions of dollars under which the U.S. would express its desire to keep Ukraine "free, sovereign and secure," according to a draft obtained by Axios.

Why it matters: The Trump administration sees the agreement as a way to get a return on U.S. investment in Ukraine, which has vast untapped mineral wealth. Ukrainian officials see the deal as a way to halt the deterioration of relations with the Trump administration and establish a longer-term partnership with the U.S.

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• A Ukrainian official told Axios a deal is close and could be signed as soon as Monday. The official said the document Axios has reviewed is the most recent version, but could still be amended.
• Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishyna confirmed in an X post Monday that the sides were close to a deal, and said signing it would "showcase our commitment for decades to come."

Driving the news: The draft agreement calls for the establishment of a "Reconstruction Investment Fund" that will be co-managed by the U.S. and Ukraine.

Key quote: "The Government of the United States of America intends to provide a long-term financial commitment to the development of a stable and economically prosperous Ukraine," the draft says.

• It adds that the fund will be designed "so as to invest in projects in Ukraine and attract investments to increase development," including in areas like mining and ports.
• But it also suggests the U.S. will recoup some of its expenditures related to "defending, reconstructing, and returning Ukraine" to its pre-war GDP.

Between the lines: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky infuriated Trump by rejecting an initial U.S. proposal, but said Monday at a G7 leaders meeting marking three years since Russia's invasion that he hoped to sign an agreement in Washington soon.

• He told reporters Sunday that the U.S. side had dropped a demand that it receive $500 billion from Ukrainian minerals projects — a sum Zelensky noted was far more than the U.S. had contributed to Ukraine.
• Zelensky rejected the idea of treating aid to Ukraine as a debt that must be repaid, and added that the agreement must include U.S. military support for Ukraine.

The intrigue: The draft seen by Axios expresses a desire that Ukraine remain free, but does not specify any U.S. military commitment.

• It also stipulates that Ukraine must contribute $500 billion to the fund — and that Ukraine's contributions must be double the U.S contributions — but it does not call for that sum to be paid to the U.S.
• The draft calls for 50% of Ukraine's revenues (minus operating expenses) from "extractable materials" — including minerals, oil and gas — be paid into the fund.
• Bloomberg first reported on aspects of the proposed deal.

Worth noting: The text contains a provision referring to projects in areas "temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation, in the event such areas are de-occupied."

• Much of Ukraine's mineral wealth is in the war-torn east.

What's next: The draft seen by Axios calls for the U.S. Treasury and Commerce Departments, along with Vice President Vance's office, to work out the details of the arrangement with Ukraine's Economy Ministry after the initial framing document is signed.

• At the bottom, the document has spaces for the signatures of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha.
• Sources on both sides have told Axios a deal is looking increasingly likely, and could be announced soon.

The White House asked a judge Monday to allow it to continue barring the Associated Press from some press events, arguing in an new court filing that access to the president is at his discretion and not a constitutional right.

Why it matters: The filing — hours before a hearing on the matter scheduled later on Monday — states that just because the AP "may have long received special media access to the president does not mean that such access is constitutionally compelled in perpetuity."

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Driving the news: "This case is about the Associated Press losing special media access to the President—a quintessentially discretionary presidential choice that infringes no constitutional right," the filing reads.

• "Presidents historically provided this special access to the Associated Press, but that discretionary choice does not create a constitutional right."

Catch up quick: The Associated Press named White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles in their suit filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

• The AP accused the White House of violating its First Amendment rights, after the outlet's reporters were barred from attending some events, like Oval Office meetings and Air Force One press pools, following the AP's decision to use Gulf of Mexico rather than Gulf of America.

The big picture: The White House is targeting AP because of the preeminent role it plays in shaping mainstream news media language and therefore coverage though its influential stylebook.

• Republicans believe it has become institutionally geared toward the left.
• AP says its style guide is non-biased and is continually updated to provide accurate, fair and neutral information.

The other side: The White House Correspondents Association, an almost 800-member independent press group, filed an amicus brief on the AP's behalf.

• It argues that the free speech and integrity of not just the plaintiffs is at stake.
• The brief says that the administration's actions "will chill and distort news coverage of the President to the public's detriment" — a harm that extends beyond just the AP.
• The WHCA also argues that the independent pool system — a rotation of the association's member reporters who follow the president — is a key part of coverage on the White House beat, calling it the "first draft of history of events of domestic and global importance."

What to watch: A hearing is scheduled for later on Monday over the lawsuit.

Go deeper: AP sues Trump officials over Oval Office ban, citing First Amendment

Editor's note: This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

• OPM sent an email to federal workers over the weekend asking them to list their accomplishments.
• The Social Security Administration told workers to treat it as an opportunity to highlight their work.
• The Department of Defense, on the other hand, told their workers not to respond to the email.

One federal agency's advice to workers who received Elon Musk's email on productivity: treat it like an opportunity to highlight your accomplishments.

After the Office of Personnel Management sent an email to all federal employees over the weekend requesting five bullet points on what they accomplished at work over the past week, the Social Security Administration told all agency employees that the email "is a legitimate assignment and should not be reported as spam."

"You must take the action requested by the deadline," SSA's human resources department told employees in an email, reviewed by Business Insider.

It added: "Review your work over the last week and identify the most impactful mission-critical work accomplishments that advances our public service mission, as well as the Administration's priorities. This is an opportunity to highlight the important work you do that helps impact the lives of those we serve."

An SSA employee who received the email told BI that management told workers to respond to the email as advised, and that the agency's management will have a meeting this afternoon to get more information on the next steps.

SSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.

The email comes after federal agencies terminated thousands of their workers over the past week, in line with President Donald Trump and Musk's goal to reduce waste and slash the government workforce. Dozens of workers — including those who voted for Trump — told BI that they were upset that the administration is targeting the federal workforce. Some fired workers were told cuts were targeting low performers, upping the stakes on Musk's latest ask.

Some other federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, have instructed their employees not to respond to OPM's email.

"The Department of Defense is responsible for reviewing the performance of its personnel and it will conduct any review in accordance with its own procedures," the agency posted on X.

The email sparked mass confusion across federal agencies, leaving many workers frustrated to have received the email on a Saturday with minimal guidance on how to respond. One federal worker told BI that the email was "pure harassment;" another worker said that they did not plan to respond to the email.

"It's absolutely crazy to be treated like this by a president," the worker said.

Musk also posted on X that failure to respond to the email would be treated as a resignation. The email sent to workers did not include that claim, and Musk later posted on X on Monday morning that it "was basically a check to see if the employee had a pulse and was capable of replying to an email. This mess will get sorted out this week."

The OPM gave employees Monday at 11:59 p.m. EST as the deadline to respond to the email. The National Treasury Employees Union told its members that those who have not received guidance from their agency should wait to respond; those who have received guidance should follow it, whether that means responding or not responding to the email.

"This situation remains very fluid, and we are actively seeking out clearer information to pass along," the union said. "It is incredibly unfortunate that you were required to complete this wholly unnecessary request."

Are you a federal worker? Got a tip? Contact this reporter securely on Signal at the username asheffey.97 or email her at [email protected].