Lauryn Hill has expressed gratitude to Essence Fest for acknowledging the delays surrounding her late set at the festival.
On July 5, 2025, the celebrated artist was slated to perform at the Essence Festival of Culture at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, with an initial start time of 12:35 a.m. Unfortunately, her performance didn’t begin until 2:30 a.m. and wrapped up at 3:37 a.m.
On July 7, Essence Fest issued a statement taking responsibility for the scheduling hiccups, confirming that the delays were not Hill’s fault. The day after, the iconic singer took to her Instagram to thank the festival for clearing up the misunderstanding.
In her post, Hill highlighted her dedication to her craft. She emphasized her active involvement in every aspect of her performances, explaining, “I rehearse and arrange the music diligently with my band” while balancing her roles as a parent and community member.
Moreover, Hill addressed a common misconception about her lifestyle, stating, “There’s a notion that I’m just lounging around, but that’s not true.” She described the hard work behind her performances and affirmed her commitment to creating meaningful music.
Reflecting on her history of production delays, Hill noted, “This isn’t the first time such issues have occurred.” She appreciated Essence for being the first promoter to admit fault, expressing her desire to ensure that such situations don’t fall on her shoulders alone.
Finally, Hill reminded everyone about the importance of accurate media representation, stating that there are consequences for spreading misinformation. She thanked her loyal fans for their support, especially those who stuck around despite the late start.
The Essence Festival took place from July 3 to July 6, celebrating a rich tapestry of culture and music in the heart of New Orleans.
