Lauryn Hill confronts misconceptions surrounding her performance timing at Essence Fest, responding to online criticisms regarding her alleged lateness.

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Lauryn Hill Addresses Performance Delays at Essence Fest Amid Online Criticism

On Tuesday, July 8, Hill took to Instagram to share a heartfelt text post directed towards her over 1.4 million followers. In her statement, she expressed gratitude to Essence for “clarifying that the delays” were not attributable to her. She emphasized her active involvement in every facet of her performances, which she believes is crucial for maintaining the integrity of her artistic message and ensuring the highest quality of what she delivers on stage.

“…There seems to be a misconception out there that I am somewhere on the Rivera with my feet up… showing up to concerts whenever because I’m too important to care. That’s nonsense,” she stated emphatically. “This is not the first time production delays have affected my performances. However, this is the first occasion a promoter has acknowledged the slip-up on their end (thank you, Essence!), and this will be the last time I allow production complications to appear as if the fault lies solely with me, when it doesn’t.”

Moreover, Hill addressed those who have chosen to withdraw their grace towards her, expressing her acceptance of their decision.

“I’m okay with that because it’s not your grace that sustains me,” she noted firmly.

She concluded by urging media outlets to fact-check their reports more diligently. Hill also took a moment to express her appreciation for those who stood by her and enjoyed the performance “despite the late start.”

Swipe below to read her full statement.

Essence Festival Issues Statement to Clarify Lauryn Hill’s Timeliness

Lauryn Hill’s statement came shortly after Essence addressed the rumors regarding the singer’s supposed lateness on their official Instagram account. On Monday, July 7, Essence released a post clarifying that Hill “arrived on schedule, stepped on that stage, and delivered the kind of performance only a legend can.”

“The delay? Not hers. We will take that. The moment? One for the books. The legacy? Still unmatched. Put some respect on her name. Keep the takes, but keep her out of them. All love and deep profound admiration for Ms. Lauryn Hill,” the organization added.

Peep their post below.

Understanding the Misconceptions Around Lauryn Hill’s Performance Timing at Essence Fest

As reported by The Shade Room, discussions about Lauryn Hill’s alleged lateness to her performances have circulated online for several years. In November 2023, during her 25th anniversary tour celebrating her iconic debut album, ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,’ Hill addressed the controversy surrounding her timing.

“They hate that she’s late. She’s late… Yo, y’all are lucky that I make it on this… stage every night!” she remarked at that time, highlighting the challenges she faces.

Over the weekend, she was slated as a performer at the highly anticipated 2025 Essence Festival. Although she was scheduled to take the stage at 12:35 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, she reportedly did not perform until around 2:35 a.m. This delay led to criticism on social media, as many users were unaware that the preceding acts also experienced delays due to production issues.

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