“This will be the last time l’ll allow production challenges to look like the fault is mine alone when they aren’t,” wrote the Grammy winner after backlash following her late Essence Festival performance.

Lauryn Hill slams ‘misconception’ that she’s ‘too important to care’ after delayed festival set: ‘Nonsense’

"This will be the last time l'll allow production challenges to look like the fault is mine alone when they aren't," wrote the Grammy winner after backlash following her late Essence Festival performance.

By Shania Russell

Published on July 9, 2025 03:04PM EDT

Ms. Lauryn Hill performs at the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture. Credit:

Josh Brasted/Getty

Lauryn Hill wants to clear her name after facing backlash for her delayed performance at the 2025 Essence Festival.

Over the weekend, the "Doo-Wop (That Thing)" singer played for a nearly empty stadium after taking to the Caesars Superdome stage in New Orleans at 2:30 a.m. — nearly two hours after she was originally set to close out the celebration with a 12:35 a.m. show.

Organizers of the event have since taken responsibility for the tardiness, but in case anyone is still confused, Hill has now shared a firm statement on Instagram, thanking the festival for speaking up and outlining her hands-on approach to live performances.

"Family, let me address a few things," the Grammy winner wrote. "I am involved in every aspect of what it takes to put on my shows, because it requires THAT much involvement to protect the integrity of my message and the quality of what I do. And for this reason: I rehearse and arrange the music diligently with my band. I am involved in every aspect of design, preparation, and production of my shows while also being a parent, grandparent, and steward to my immediate family and community."

Ms. Lauryn Hill performs on stage at the 2025 Essence Festival.

Josh Brasted/Getty

She added, "I do this without complaint because it is truly a labor of love and great passion for me to be able to perform meaningful music for my audience."

Hill then turned her attention to the backlash, writing, "There seems to be a misconception out there that I am somewhere on the Riviera with my feet up, drink in hand, showing up to concerts whenever because I'm too important to care. That's nonsense… and anyone who's been a part of these productions knows that IN FACT the opposite is true."

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The singer, who has been criticized for showing up late to gigs in the past, then claimed that the festival is far from "the first time production delays have delayed my performances," adding, "This IS, however, the first time a promoter has acknowledged the slip-up on their end (thank you, Essence!), and this will be the last time l'll allow production challenges to look like the fault is mine alone when they aren't."

She concluded her statement by acknowledging fans who remained in the stadium and supported her during the delayed set. "Despite the late start, I appreciate those who stayed and rocked with us," she wrote. "Family, remember: What the enemy means for evil, God will turn around for good."

Lauryn Hill attends the Grammy Hall of Fame Gala in 2024.

Sarah Morris/Getty

Hill has developed a reputation for arriving late to her concerts over the years, so her Essence Festival mishap inspired a swift negative reaction when details of the delay hit social media. But the event's organizers were quick to stand up for the artist, telling critics to "put some respect on her name."

Their statement read, "She 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."

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During her set, Hill performed songs from her acclaimed 1998 album, *The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill*, as well as some hits from the Fugees, her hip-hop trio with Wyclef Jean and Pras Michél . She also kept things light by taking requests, chatting with the crowd, and handing the microphone off to her sons, Zion and Joshua "YG" Marley. The performance ended at 3:37 a.m.

Before Hill's set, the three-day concert series featured performances from Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Boyz II Men, Maxwell, Babyface, GloRilla, the Isley Brothers, Master P, and Nas. **

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Music”