Lauryn Hill has commended the Essence Festival organisers for accepting responsibility for her performance to a half-empty stadium at 2.30am over the weekend.
The Ready or Not singer took the stage at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans two hours later than planned on Friday night as part of the Essence Festival of Culture’s Evening Concert Series.
The entire program had been delayed, so Hill’s concert didn’t begin until 2:30am, by which time the majority of the audience had left, leaving her to perform to an almost-empty stadium.
READ MORE: Lauryn Hill Performs To Nearly Empty Superdome At Essence Festival Hours After Scheduled Set
The festival organizers accepted responsibility for the delayed performance, and the R&B singer later complimented them for emphasizing that the delays “were not (her) fault”.
Addressing her reputation for starting shows far later than planned, Hill commented on Instagram, “There appears 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 am too important to care.” That’s ridiculous… and anyone who has worked on these productions knows that the exact opposite is true.”
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The Fugees vocalist revealed that she is involved in all aspects of her performances, from production to design and song arrangement, in addition to being a parent and grandparent.
“I’m often quiet, knowing full well that God fights my battles, but this is not the first time production delays have delayed my performances,” she told me.
Singer Lauryn Hill performs during the “Star Night” show at the 39th Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland, July 6, 2005.
“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 I’ll allow production challenges to look like the fault is mine alone when they aren’t (sic).”
Hill ended her message by praising the audience who “stayed and rocked with us” despite the late start.
The bill also included appearances by GloRilla, The Isley Brothers, Babyface, and Maxwell.
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