Lauryn Hill Performs For Nearly Empty Superdome At Essence Fest Hours After Scheduled Set
According to attendees, Hill didn't hit the stage at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans until 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning (July 5) — well after most fans had called it a night. By the time she launched into her set, only a few hundred people remained in the 'nearly empty' venue that holds more than 80,000.
According to NOLA.com the evening ran off-schedule from the start, with multiple acts finishing almost an hour behind. And to be fair, the eight-time Grammy winner wasn't just fashionably late — she was added to an already jam-packed lineup that included performances by Jill Scott, Davido, Donnell Jones, Moliy, and Buju Banton.
For the fans who stayed, Ms. Hill made it count. She spoke to the intimate crowd, took a song request or two, and even brought her sons, Zion Marley and Joshua 'YG' Marley, on stage for a family moment. Her set ended around 3:30 a.m., per The Hollywood Reporter.
Videos of the nearly empty stadium have been circulating on TikTok, but so have clips of her giving a heartfelt performance despite the sparse audience.
Hill performed beloved hits including, 'Tell Him' and 'Zion,' as her son gave the crowd a live rendition of his viral song, 'Praise Jah In The Moonlight.'
Some fans took to social media to defend her, arguing that the scheduling mess wasn't her fault and praising her for still showing up with grace.
'It was a PHENOMENAL set! I am happy and thankful that I stayed. Still feeling inspired!!!' one person commented on Instagram as another said, 'This is honestly messed up that anyone is sharing information like this. She was NOT late, the entire show started late & she didn't get to start at her scheduled time because there were two acts before her still going when she should have been on the stage.'
They added, 'I was there & saw the whole thing from Glorilla to Lauryn. That woman does not deserve this negative narrative as if 'she did something wrong' or like her fans don't support her. It was late & people were just tired. Give her a break.' A third person added, 'And this my song too!! I woulda been there up at 4am enjoying her set.'
See footage of Lauryn Hill performing above.
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