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4d ago

Essence Festival Admits Fault for Lauryn Hill’s 2:30 AM Headliner Delay

Organizers’ unprecedented apology prompts artists to demand thorough production reforms after a two-hour headliner delay.

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Stephanie Mills, performing July 6 at Essence Fest, criticized the festival's production staff for their "overall level of professionalism."
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Overview

  • Festival organizers issued an Instagram statement accepting responsibility for pushing Hill’s set back from 12:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. on July 5.
  • Lauryn Hill thanked Essence Fest for clarifying that production issues—rather than her own timing—caused the delay and defended her hands-on role in show prep.
  • Earlier performances ran over schedule, including GloRilla finishing 45 minutes late, triggering cascading delays that left the Superdome sparsely populated.
  • Stephanie Mills published an open letter highlighting backstage scheduling failures and sound-system problems, calling for a comprehensive review of the festival’s operational structure.
  • The episode marks a turning point in promoter accountability and spotlights the critical need for robust logistical planning at large-scale cultural events.