Lauryn Hill Addresses Nearly Empty 3:30 AM Stadium Performance After Delay

Just days after making headlines for performing until 3:30 AM in a practically empty stadium at Essence Fest, Lauryn Hill is breaking her silence.

The 50-year-old singer was a late addition to the Friday night concert line-up in New Orleans’ Superdome, originally scheduled to close out the night at 12:35 AM.

The entire night was delayed due to multiple late starts from earlier performers, which lead to Hill not taking the stage until 2:31 AM, nearly two hours late.

Many videos went viral showing the Superdome – which has an official capacity of 83,000 – practically empty as Hill performed into the wee hours of the morning.

While many fans bashed Hill for the late performance – since she has a history of late starts – the festival issued a statement on Sunday, taking responsibility for the delay.

‘She arrived on schedule, stepped on that stage, and delivered the kind of performance only a legend can. The delay? Not hers. We will take that. The moment? One for the books. The legacy? Still unmatched,’ the statement said in part.

Now Hill herself has issued a statement, both thanking the festival for acknowledging their responsibility in the delay, and clearing up misconceptions about past tardiness.

Just days after making headlines for performing until 3:30 AM in a practically empty stadium at Essence Fest, Lauryn Hill is breaking her silence.

Now Hill herself has issued a statement, both thanking the festival for acknowledging their responsibility in the delay, and clearing up misconceptions about past tardiness.

‘Thank you Essence Fest for clarifying that the delays were not my fault. Family, let me address a few things,’ Hill began.

‘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,’ she added.

‘And for this reason: I rehearse and arrange the music diligently with my band. I am involved in every aspect of design, preparation and production of my shows while also being a parent, grandparent and steward to my immediate family and community,’ she added.

‘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,’ she continued.

She insisted, ‘I do this without complaint because it is truly a labor of love and great passion for me to be able to perform meaningful music for my audience.’

The news of Hill’s delayed set was met with much ridicule online, with many fans citing numerous performances she was several hours late for, which she also addressed.

‘There seems to be a misconception out there though 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 nonsense… and anyone who’s been a part of these productions knows that IN FACT the opposite is true,’ she insisted.

‘Those of us who are still out here grinding to present an alternative to the divisive, to the shallow, to the controlled, and to the intentionally limiting narrative of our representation do what it takes to do so. We are here, pushing through the resistance,’ she continued.

‘Thank you Essence Fest for clarifying that the delays were not my fault. Family, let me address a few things,’ Hill began.

‘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,’ she continued.

‘There seems to be a misconception out there though 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 nonsense… and anyone who’s been a part of these productions knows that IN FACT the opposite is true,’ she insisted.

‘Ask yourself how and why I’m still standing after years of public effort to defame me? Because someone has to do it!’ she said.

Hill admitted, ‘I’m often quiet, knowing full well that God fights my battles, but this is not the first time production delays have delayed my performance.’

‘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,’ she said.

The singer then seemingly spoke to the haters, adding, ‘Those of you who can no longer extend me grace, I’m OK with that, because it’s not your grace that sustains me. It’s God’s grace that sustains me and the love of fans who appreciate that my message came for them when they needed it most and KNOW that I was probably being punished for being so honest in the midst of big business.’

‘I will continue to push and play for these and other similar reasons. Those who can’t see it yet, catch you when you do,’ Hill said.

She also addressed the media, stating, ‘fact check and watch what you irresponsibly put out there – there are consequences for misrepresenting the facts.’

‘Despite the late start, I appreciate those who stayed and rocked with us. Family, always remember: what the enemy means for evil God will turn around for good! Respectfully, MLH,’ she concluded.

Hill also shared a number of pictures of herself performing at the Superdome and a few of the fans in attendance as well for her set. 

The schedule for Friday’s Evening Concert Series was supposed to start with Psyrin at 7:10 PM, followed by Lucky Dave at 7:30 and Coco Jones at 8:00.

‘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,’ she said.

She also addressed the media, stating, ‘fact check and watch what you irresponsibly put out there – there are consequences for misrepresenting the facts.’

The schedule for Friday’s Evening Concert Series was supposed to start with Psyrin at 7:10 PM, followed by Lucky Dave at 7:30 and Coco Jones at 8:00

Glorilla was slated for 8:30, followed by The Isley Brothers at 9:15, Babyface at 10:10, Maxwell at 11:15 and Lauryn Hill closing out the night at 12:35 AM.

Glorilla was slated for 8:30, followed by The Isley Brothers at 9:15, Babyface at 10:10, Maxwell at 11:15 and Lauryn Hill closing out the night at 12:35 AM.

That schedule never stuck, with the whole night starting late, with reports stating that Glorilla finished her set at 10 PM, 45 minutes after the next act, The Isley Brothers, were supposed to start theirs.

Maxwell’s set was supposed to start at 11:15 PM but didn’t start until 12:55 AM, with reports adding that Maxwell’s stage was cleared around 2:04 AM, though Hill didn’t take the stage until 2:31 AM, wrapping up at 3:37 AM.

Nola News shared video from the largely-empty Superdome with Hill on stage, while others like TikTok user MorganD.23 shared a video from her seat in the stadium as well.

Hill has developed a reputation for going on stage much later than she was originally scheduled to, which many fans mentioned on social media.

De Lewis (@shotbyde) said, ‘Lauryn Hill is a scam artist and I don’t know why yall keep supporting her.’

Brit Williams (@DrBritWilliams) quote-retweeted another tweet that said her set ended at 3:37 AM, adding, ‘Stop. Booking. Her.’

However, others defended Hill, including Eric Lamont (@EricUnedited), who quote-retweeted Brit’s tweet, clarifying what happened.

Maxwell’s set was supposed to start at 11:15 PM but didn’t start until 12:55 AM, with reports adding that Maxwell’s stage was cleared around 2:04 AM, though Hill didn’t take the stage until 2:31 AM, wrapping up at 3:37 AM.

De Lewis (@shotbyde) said, ‘Lauryn Hill is a scam artist and I don’t know why yall keep supporting her.’

Brit Williams (@DrBritWilliams) quote-retweeted another tweet that said her set ended at 3:37 AM, adding, ‘Stop. Booking. Her.’

However, others defended Hill, including Eric Lamont (@EricUnedited), who quote-retweeted Brit’s tweet, clarifying what happened.

Another fan dubbed @tallyohhh added, ‘I feel so bad for everybody making fun of Lauryn Hill performing late at Essence Festival, because it wasn’t even her fault. I read that the performance schedule was off by like an hour or two and pushed everything back. I’m impressed that she still performed that late! I’ve seen her live before, I’m sure it was a dope show.’

Others like Tony Cardasco (@TonyDasco) mentioned Hill was, ‘a couple of hours late in LA and late at Brooklyn Bowl.’

Still, some like Joe Arrigo (@JoeArrigo_) defended Hill, stating, ‘this is a bit misleading because the essence festival was actually running behind schedule, which played a role in her coming on late, this one wasn’t on her all the way. I have some friends that are/were there, so it’s not 100% on Lauryn Hill (this time).’

‘Or, let’s post what actually happened. It’s very easy to get Lauryn Hill trending with false narratives. Let’s provide the facts. The entire festival was pushed back. This was literally not her fault. Me on the other hand, I would have gone home. Contract or not. Bye,’ Lamont tweeted.

Another fan dubbed @tallyohhh added, ‘I feel so bad for everybody making fun of Lauryn Hill performing late at Essence Festival, because it wasn’t even her fault. I read that the performance schedule was off by like an hour or two and pushed everything back. I’m impressed that she still performed that late! I’ve seen her live before, I’m sure it was a dope show.’

Others like Tony Cardasco (@TonyDasco) mentioned Hill was, ‘a couple of hours late in LA and late at Brooklyn Bowl.’

Still, some like Joe Arrigo (@JoeArrigo_) defended Hill, stating, ‘this is a bit misleading because the essence festival was actually running behind schedule, which played a role in her coming on late, this one wasn’t on her all the way. I have some friends that are/were there, so it’s not 100% on Lauryn Hill (this time).’