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Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fans React to Lauryn Hill Performing in Nearly Empty Stadium
Hip-hop icon Lauryn Hill's fans have reacted to the singer's performance in front of a nearly empty stadium at the recently conducted 2025 Essence Festival of Culture. Not only did the star arrive at the stage at a much later time than what was scheduled, but she ended up concluding her act at around 3.37 AM. On Friday, July 4, Lauryn Hill took to the stage in Louisiana as part of a star-studded lineup at the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture. The roster also included the likes of GloRilla, the Isley Brothers, Babyface, and Maxwell, with Coco Jones coming in as an unannounced performer. However, Hill sang in front of a nearly empty stadium after unprecedented delays occurred during the performances of those who preceded her. For instance, GloRilla ended her act at a time when the Isley Brothers had to finish their performance. Consequently, Maxwell took to the stage a few minutes before 1 a.m., further delaying Hill's arrival (via The Hollywood Reporter). As such, Hill, who is infamous for being late on her shows, has many fans debating on the internet following her performance at the nearly empty stadium in New Orleans. Most of the reactions seem to take Hill's side, instead putting the blame on the organizers. One X (formerly Twitter) user noted, 'The entire festival was pushed back. This was literally not her fault.' Another fan defended Hill, saying, 'I know we're used to Lauryn Hill not being on time, but the whole day ran late…This was on organizers and scheduling, not Ms. Lauryn Hill.' A third fan highlighted the delays in the concert before noting, 'If I'm Lauryn Hill, I'm probably cussing out Essence cause this is just unacceptable.' Essence Festival has addressed concerns regarding Hill's show in an Instagram post, stating that the Ex-Factor singer performing in front of a nearly empty crowd wasn't her fault, as 'she arrived on schedule.' The post Fans React to Lauryn Hill Performing in Nearly Empty Stadium appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Lauryn Hill performs in nearly-empty stadium until 3:30 A.M. after Essence Festival starts late: ‘Unacceptable'
Justice for Lauryn Hill. The Grammy Award winner, 50, took the stage at the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans over the weekend hours later than expected, forcing her to perform in front of a nearly-empty crowd at Caesars Superdome. 9 Lauryn Hill performs during the 2025 Essence Festival Of Culture. Getty Images Hill's set was supposed to take place late Friday night as part of the rest of the lineup which included GloRilla, the Isley Brothers, Babyface, Maxwell, Lucky Daye and Psiryn. However, the event ran late and most of the performers didn't go on stage until at least an hour after they were scheduled to do so. In Hill's case, she finally started her set at 2:30 A.M. on Saturday, just minutes after the festival announced there were 'technical difficulties.' By that time, only several hundred people were in the stadium, which can accommodate over 80,000 people. Hill's performance lasted about an hour and ended at around 3:37 A.M., according to Despite the delay, Hill put on an electric performance for the crowd. She wore a blue polka dot full-length dress with a gele atop her head as she sang some of her classics including 'Ex-Factor' from her critically acclaimed debut album 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.' 9 Lauryn Hill performs onstage at the 2025 Essence Festival Of Culture at Caesars Superdome. WireImage 9 Lauryn Hill during her performance at the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture. Getty Images for ESSENCE 9 The stadium before Lauryn Hill's performance. morgand.23/TikTok Hill even brought out her sons Zion Marley, 27, and YG Marley, 23, on stage to perform with her. After belting out a rendition of 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' as a tribute to the late Roberta Flack, Hill took a request from the crowd for her final song of the night. She choose 'Fu-Gee-La,' a song by her hip-hop group, the Fugees. 9 Lauryn Hill's performance at the 31st ESSENCE Festival of Culture ended at 3:30 A.M. Soul Brother/Soul B Photos/Shutterstock Following the event, Essence Festival released a statement defending Hill over her delayed performance. 'Family is family and around here we protect our own no matter what the PEOPLE have to say,' the festival wrote on Instagram Sunday.' Let's be very clear— WE don't play about Ms. Lauryn Hill. Not for clicks. Not for headlines.' 9 Lauryn Hill takes the stage at the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans. Soul Brother/Soul B Photos/Shutterstock 'She arrived on schedule, stepped on that stage, and delivered the kind of performance only a legend can,' the statement continued. 'The delay? Not hers. We will take that. The moment? One for the legacy? Still unmatched.' 'Put some respect on her name. Keep the takes, but keep her out of them,' the festival added. 'All love and deep profound admiration for Ms. Lauryn Hill.' Hill's devoted fans showed her support on social media as well. 9 Lauryn Hill performs during the 2025 Essence Festival Of Culture. Getty Images 'If I'm Lauryn Hill, I'm probably cussing out Essence cause this is just unacceptable,' one fan wrote on X. 'It's very easy to get Lauryn Hill trending with false narratives. Let's provide the facts. The entire festival was pushed back,' another fan said. 'This was literally not her fault.' 9 Lauryn Hill during her set at the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture. Getty Images for ESSENCE Someone else tweeted, 'I think a few blogs and publications owe Ms. Lauryn Hill an apology. I know she's had TERRIBLE time problems in the past, but that Essence Fest situation didn't sound like it was on her. No need for them (or the event) to use her as a scapegoat.' 9 Lauryn Hill at the 2025 Met Gala. Getty Images The Post has reached out to Hill's rep for comment. Ironically, Hill has a history of being late for performances. She even addressed her constant tardiness during a delayed concert in Los Angeles in Nov. 2023. 'Yo, y'all lucky I make it on this blood ras stage every night,' Hill reportedly told the crowd at the time. 'I don't do it because they let me do it. I do it because I stand here in the name of God and I do it.'
