Lauryn Hill addressed frustrations from fans after her headlining performance at Essence Festival began hours behind schedule, with her set starting at approximately 2:30 a.m. The late start meant a significant portion of the audience had already exited, prompting Hill to respond directly via Instagram, where she sought to provide clarity.
In her post, Hill thanked the Essence team for confirming the delay wasn’t entirely her doing. “Thank you to Essence Fest for clarifying that the delays were not my fault,” she wrote, as reported by AllHipHop. She stressed that her performances demand rigorous involvement behind the scenes, describing the logistical intensity required to bring her vision to life.
Lauryn Hill defends her lateness as a product of purpose, not neglect
“Unlike artists who focus on a single discipline, I’m required to oversee several,” Hill explained. “I don’t arrive late because I don’t care. I care deeply—and that commitment takes time.” She framed her lateness not as neglect, but as a byproduct of a process aimed at delivering something layered and meaningful.
Pushing back against long-standing assumptions about her punctuality, Hill noted, “There seems to be a belief that I am lounging on a beach, unconcerned about my performances. This is far from the truth.” She emphasized that anyone familiar with her team understands the amount of preparation and hands-on attention her shows require. Hill closed her message with appreciation for those who stayed late into the night to support her set—and for the fans who’ve stood by her throughout her career, regardless of time or place.
Essence responded in the comments with a message of affirmation: “Always love and accountability live here. Thank you for blessing us.” This year’s festival featured an all-star lineup, including Erykah Badu, Babyface, Ari Lennox, and Patti LaBelle. Master P also performed, announcing that the set would be his last as he prepares to lead basketball operations at the University of New Orleans.
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