Fans Are Now Coming To Lauryn Hill Defense About Late Essence Festival Start
Written by luma on July 7, 2025
Lauryn Hill closed out her set at the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture to a near-empty stadium after taking the stage hours later than expected. The eight-time Grammy winner performed at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, starting her set at 2:30 a.m. local time and finishing at 3:37 a.m. on Saturday, July 5 — for what was supposed to be a Friday, July 4, performance, per Nola.com and Stereogum. Nola.com reported that by the time Hill took the stage, only several hundred people were in the crowd, which accommodates 83,000 people, and the evening ran behind schedule from the start, with some acts finishing almost an hour after the next performers were scheduled to begin.
Or, let’s post what actually happened.
It’s very easy to get Lauryn Hill trending with false narratives.
Let’s provide the facts. The entire festival was pushed back.
This was literally not her fault.
Me on the other hand, I would have gone home. Contract or not. Bye. https://t.co/F5JUeXUbQv
— ERIC LAMONT (@EricUnedited) July 5, 2025
Stereogum additionally reported that Hill was added to an already packed lineup, which contributed to the late start.
Source: People
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