Lauryn Hill is clarifying the surprise cancellation of her upcoming US shows with her band The Fugees.
The 49-year-old singer and rapper shared the update on Instagram on Wednesday, a day after fans were shocked to see emails in their inboxes announcing that concerts were canceled and their refunds were on the way.
In his statement, Hill attributed the cancellations to poor ticket sales.
However, he claimed that the poor sales were not a result of fan disinterest, but rather the result of media “sensationalism” and “clickbait headlines.”
“It was with great difficulty that the decision was made to cancel our upcoming North American tour dates,” he wrote, clarifying that “shows in the UK and Europe ARE GOING AHEAD as planned.”
Lauryn Hill is clarifying the surprise cancellation of her upcoming U.S. shows with her band The Fugees; pictured on May 21 in Los Angeles
In her statement, Hill attributed the cancellations to poor ticket sales, which she blamed on “clickbait headlines” about her past cancellations and late show start times; pictured with Fugees members Wyclef Jean (L) and Pras Michel (R) on June 3, 2023, in Philadelphia.
Although the Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill singer has earned a reputation over the years for canceling performances and starting her shows late, she attributed a recent spate of cancellations to a medical issue.
“Last year I suffered an injury that forced me to reschedule some of my shows,” he explained. “Unfortunately, some media outlets’ tendency towards sensationalism and clickbait headlines has created a narrative that has affected ticket sales for the North American leg of the tour.”
“The confidence and faith I have in my intentions and my commitment to my art seems to have been overshadowed by this unfortunate depiction,” he added.
Demand for shows in the UK and Europe may have been higher due to shortages, as Hill reminded fans that people in those regions “not only haven’t seen the Miseducation anniversary performance yet, but they also haven’t seen the Fugees perform together in over 25 years.”
Hill stressed that “no one” was “more disappointed about not being able to perform” than she was and praised the experience of performing as a “profound exchange of energy and emotion that thrills me every time.”
“Each show is a part of my expression and a testament to our connection and shared love for music,” he continued.
“Please know that I am not only grateful to those who appreciate and support my art, but I FIGHT and overcome all types of resistance to create experiences that mean something to all of us,” Hill wrote. “I love being able to bring these performances to you!”
After thanking fans for their “understanding” and reiterating that the UK and European tour would begin in October, Hill added that he hoped to “be back in full force” with the Fugees for future North American shows.
Before her update, fans were unaware of the abrupt cancellation.
She blamed an injury for the rescheduled 2023 shows, but appeared to claim that coverage of the cancellations scared fans away from buying tickets.
He noted that his UK and European shows, which begin in October, were still scheduled.
Hill stressed that “no one” was “more disappointed about not being able to perform” than she was and expressed hope that the US dates could be rescheduled for a later date.
Before her update, fans knew nothing about the abrupt cancellation; Lauryn pictured in May
On Tuesday, August 6, ticket holders hoping to see the R&B singer and iconic hip-hop trio Fugees received a letter stating that their money would be refunded.
A person with the username @PLoJetson wrote on X that being a Lauryn Hill fan is “daunting.”
On Tuesday, August 6, ticket holders hoping to see the R&B singer and iconic hip-hop trio received news that they would be receiving refunds, while the tour dates had been removed from Ticketmaster’s website.
Disappointed fans took to social media to express their frustration at the lack of information regarding the last-minute change.
A person with the username @PLoJetson wrote on X: “IT’S SO DISAPPOINTING TO BE A LAURYN HILL FAN. Last October, an hour before the show in Dallas, it was cancelled without warning. I tried again this time, even though EVERYONE made fun of me (and said) I was a fool for trying. Cancelled AGAIN. I love Lauryn, man. But damn, do BETTER.”
By VarietyOthers posted screenshots of a message from Live Nation that clearly stated: “Your event has been cancelled. You will receive a refund to your account soon.”
The 18-date North American tour was scheduled to begin Friday in Tampa, Florida.
September dates included stops at the Hollywood Bowl and in New York and New Jersey.
Other dates that were scrapped, initially for no reason, included Atlanta, Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston and Milwaukee.
Tickets are still on sale for the international leg of the tour, which kicks off with a show in Manchester, England, on October 12.
The tour, which includes shows in London and Paris, will end in Amsterdam on October 22.
While Hill said those shows will still take place, it’s unclear whether they have reached the threshold needed for ticket sales or whether they could still be canceled at a later date.
Prior to her explanation for the cancellations, Hill last posted about the tour on June 24.
The 18-date North American tour was scheduled to begin Friday in Tampa, Florida; pictured with Wyclef Jean (left) and Pras Michel (right) in 2005 in Hollywood.
It is the third year in a row that the group has canceled tour dates, leaving fans heartbroken; photographed in September 2023 in New York City’s Central Park.
She wrote: ‘The celebration continues… Artist pre-sale begins Wednesday, June 26 at 10am local time using code MLH. In-store sales begin Friday, June 28 at 10am.’
It is the third year in a row that the group has cancelled tour dates, leaving fans heartbroken.
The reunion tour was first announced in 2021 but was later postponed before being cancelled in January 2022 due to COVID conditions.
Lauryn’s last major performance was at the BET Awards in June.
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