Grammy-winning R&B icon Stephanie Mills is calling out the organizers of the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture in a blistering open letter.
In the open letter, the legendary singer cites logistical failures and technical breakdowns that she says severely compromised her performance and the overall artist experience.
The 68-year-old singer, best known for hits like “Home”, “I Feel Good All Over”, and “Never Knew Love Like This Before”, performed Sunday night in the exclusive “VVIP Superlounge” inside New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome. But what was billed as a premium experience fell far short, according to Mills.
“The scheduling and time management were severely lacking, creating a chaotic and stressful environment backstage,” Mills wrote. “This disorganization cascaded onto the stage… diminishing the quality of the performance.”
In her post shared with fans on social media, Mills described “deeply problematic” sound issues, calling the technical setup “unacceptable for an event of Essence Festival’s caliber and prestige.” She added that the ongoing disruptions destroyed the energy in the room, creating a “less-than-ideal atmosphere for attendees.”
Festival Response and Broader Issues
The official Essence Fest Instagram account responded to Mills’ critique with an apology and a promise to improve:
“We hear you and we will take your feedback… All love and admiration.”
But Mills’ complaints echo broader frustrations voiced by fans throughout the weekend. From delayed performances to low turnout and a confusing Superlounge setup, this year’s 31st edition of the festival struggled to meet expectations.
One of the most glaring disappointments was the reintroduction of the beloved Superlounge experience, but only for ultra-premium “VVIP” ticket holders. For decades, the Superlounges were a central, open feature of the festival, offering intimate performances by legends and local acts alike.
Due to renovations at the Superdome ahead of Super Bowl LIX, the original Superlounge spaces had been removed. Their return this year was supposed to be a major win, until fans realized access was restricted. On Friday night, attendance at the new second-level lounge was so sparse that organizers opened it to all attendees on Saturday and Sunday.
Meanwhile, main stage performances also suffered delays. Most notably, Ms. Lauryn Hill finished her set at 3:37 a.m. on a nearly empty floor. Boyz II Men didn’t wrap up until 2:55 a.m. on closing night.
Call for Change
Mills concluded her statement with a call for a “comprehensive review of organizational structure and operational management,” urging festival producers to make meaningful changes if they wish to maintain the reputation of one of the nation’s largest celebrations of Black music and culture.
“Just because it’s ‘Essence’ doesn’t mean artists and fans should be treated this way,” a longtime attendee wrote on X (formerly Twitter), echoing a sentiment shared across social platforms.
Also, shortly after the event, TikTok creator Deja (@deja.zhane) sparked a viral conversation after posting a video questioning whether the iconic festival—founded in 1995 to celebrate Black American heritage—has lost its way.
Her video, clocking more than 100,000 views, summarizes what many festivalgoers have been murmuring for years: Essence Fest no longer feels like it’s for us.
“Essence Fest used to be the family reunion created by Black people for Black people,” Deja says in her now-viral clip. “Soul food, gospel, trap, NOLA. It was a culture you felt deep in your chest. But now? Not so much.”
Despite her disappointing experience, Mills remains on tour promoting new music and continues to advocate for better conditions for artists—especially those who have paved the way.
