Legendary singer Lauryn Hill is at the center of a heated legal battle after being sued by fellow Fugees co-founder Pras Michel. In a statement released, Hill vehemently denied Michel’s allegations of fraud and breach of contract.
In the lawsuit, Michel alleges that Hill has “narcissistic tendencies” and includes incidents to support this claim, including one about Hill turning down $5 million to perform at Coachella because “her ego was bruised” when No Doubt received top billing.
After a disappointing solo tour, Michel believes Hill pitched bandmate Wyclef Jean the idea of doing a 25th-anniversary Miseducation tour with The Fugees in May or June 2023, which he claims she realized was “the only chance for her to sell tickets for shows at arena-size venues, and feed her insatiable ego,” according to the lawsuit.
Michel disclosed that he struggled to pay his legal bills ( (Michel was convicted in April 2023 of conspiring to help China influence the US government.) as a result of the tour cancellation, leaving him owing nearly $1 million because he claims “Hill was taking 40% of the tour guarantees and tour net profits’ off the top’ for herself, leaving the remaining 60% to be split equally between Hill, Michel, and Wyclef.”
In a public statement, Lauryn Hill did not hold back her emotions, calling the lawsuit “full of false claims and unwarranted attacks.” Hill expressed frustration at what she considers an attempt to tarnish her reputation and dismissed the allegations as baseless.
“Some clarity and facts need to be presented,” Hill stated in a statement shared via Instagram. “I’ve been silent and pushing through because I understood that Pras was under duress because of his legal battles and that this was perhaps affecting his judgment, state of mind, and character.”
She continued that the suit “notably omits that he was advanced overpayment for the last tour and has failed to repay substantial loans extended by myself as an act of goodwill.”
In the statement, Hill also claimed she “was not in Pras’ life when he decided to make the unfortunate decision that led to his current legal troubles.”
“I did not advise that he make that decision and, therefore, am in no way responsible for his decision and its consequences, though I have taken it upon myself to help. Despite his attacks, I am still compassionate and hope things work out for him,” she said.
As the legal proceedings continue, it is unclear how this dispute will affect the Fugees’ legacy. Fans of the group are hoping for a resolution that will allow them to concentrate on the music and the Fugees’ positive influence on popular culture.
