Lauryn Hill Blames Media for Poor Ticket Sales While Mirror and Economy Are Right Next Door

As much as I’d like to see Ms. Lauryn Hill in concert, I’m several years faraway from taking the chance of working with Ticketmaster and charging someone who either shows up late or doesn’t show up in any respect.

I rooted for everyone who took the plunge, but three days before Lauryn Hill and the Fugees kicked off the North American leg of their twenty fifth anniversary tour for “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” in Tampa, Florida, ticket holders were… I’m beginning to get refund notifications.

A day later, Ms Hill posted a lengthy statement on social media to substantiate the 18-date tour wouldn’t go ahead — claiming “media sensationalism and clickbait headlines” were accountable.

Part of the statement reads:

“Last year I suffered an injury that forced the postponement of some of my shows. Unfortunately, some media outlets’ penchant for sensationalism and clickbait headlines seemed to create a narrative that affected ticket sales for the North American leg of the tour. The trust and faith I have in my intentions and commitment to my art seems to have been overshadowed by this unfortunate performance.”

Ms Hill added that October shows in Manchester, London, Paris and Amsterdam are still planned, adding: “For our fans in North America, once these unforeseen circumstances are resolved, we will be back in full force.”

Translation: When demand returns in America and Toronto, my show will return as well.

Ms. Hill’s disappointment is comprehensible.

Last November, when she needed to postpone these dates attributable to a vocal cord injury, he wrote on Instagram: “I want to start by saying how much I loved being on tour and how much I appreciate all the fans who came out to celebrate this incredible anniversary and historic reunion with us. Being able to tour this album to sold-out crowds after 25 years was an emotional experience! I loved sharing the stage with Wyclef and Prase again. The Return of the Fugees was powerful and incredible – those who witnessed it can attest.”

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She said the tour and its reception reminded her of “less complicated times.”

As a fan of Ms. Hill and remembering her at the peak of her solo profession, I used to be hoping she could recreate that feeling when the tour resumed.

Her recent appearances — including the BET Awards — she was excellent and her voice sounded the most effective it had in years,

In a press release, she described live performances as “a profound exchange of energy and emotion that excites me every time. Each performance is part of my expression and a testament to our bond and shared love of music. I can assure you that no one is more disappointed not to be able to perform than I am.”

However, with all due respect, Ms. Lauryn Hill writes as if she had absolutely nothing to do with creating the headlines she complains about.

I remember what she said only a 12 months ago during a concert performance in Los Angeles, in response to her long-held opinion that you just keep the audience waiting long after the show has began to have the opportunity to begin the show.

“You’re like, ‘She’s late. She’s late a lot. Yo, you’re lucky I get to be on this… stage every night… God is the one who lets me do this, who surrounded me with family and community when there was no support… When (the debut) sold so many records, nobody came up and said, ‘Hey, do you want to do another one?'”

Some of us remember her calling on God in past lawsuits. That didn’t work out too well either, if I remember accurately. The arrangements have gotten significantly better over time, but people pay money to see her perform and yet they’re lucky because she finally shows up?

That’s why I feel a lot empathy for her in this example.

Was it the media that made Ms. Lauryn Hill late to all those shows all those years ago?

Has the media taken a dismissive attitude towards her in response to legitimate complaints, concerns, jokes, etc. regarding her known habit?

The audience didn’t need sensational headlines or clickbait to form an opinion of her as a concert artist after they could judge her based on a set pattern. I’m rooting for her, but this example is her doing, nobody else’s.

If Ms. Hill desires to act on the idea that she is acting on a scheduled date reasonably than a scheduled time, that’s her right, but constructing such a popularity as a performer comes with its own set of consequences — especially in a difficult economic climate.

There are so many artists that tour, and you possibly can only spend so many dollars.

I’m a fan of Ms. Hill, but just as we must always honor our legends and have a good time them in real time, we must always hand them a mirror after they need it and wish them luck on their next tour.