Lauryn Hill Addresses Late Essence Festival Set: “I Don’t Show Up Late to Shows Because I Don’t Care”

Lauryn Hill is setting the record straight after fans were left waiting well past midnight for her headlining set at this year’s Essence Festival.

Full story below…

Taking the stage at 2:30 AM long after many had already excited the venue – the ‘Doo Wop’ icon took to Instagram to respond to growing backlash and long standing whispers about her punctuality, she wrote:

“Thank you to Essence Fest for clarifying that the delays were not my fault. Family, let me address a few things: I am involved in every aspect of what it takes to put on my shows, because it requires THAT much involvement to protect the integrity of my message and the quality of what I do.”

The Grammy winner also shut down assumptions that she’s casually late, stating:

“While some get to focus on a single discipline or category, my role requires that I have eyes everywhere and contribute to most if not every department and more. I don’t show up late to shows because I don’t care. And I have nothing but love and respect for my fans. The challenge is aligning my energy with the time, taking something that isn’t easily classified or contained, and trying to make it available for others. There seems 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’m too important to care. That’s nonsense… and anyone who’s been a part of these productions knows that IN FACT the opposite is true,”

Hill ended by thanking fans who stayed, while Essence Fest backed her in the comments, saying:

“Always love and accountability live here. Thank you for blessing us.”