Latest news with #EssenceFest2025


Black America Web
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
You Geaux, Girl! Princess Tiana Is Taking Her Enchanted Talents On A Nationwide ‘Joyful Celebration' Tour In 2027
Source: Walt Disney World A timeee was had at Disney's Big Easy brunch experience during Essence Fest 2025 in NOLA where creatives from Walt Disney Imagineering and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis announced Tiana's Joyful Celebration–a nationwide traveling exhibition coming to a museum near you in 2026. The innovative exhibition will allow visitors to help Tiana with her community parade through a fun-filled series of interactive experiences inspired by Tiana's Bayou Adventure attraction which launched at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort last year. Source: Disney Beginning March 7, 2026, the exhibition kicks off at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis–the largest children's museum in the world–before expanding to 12 additional cities during a nationwide tour in 2027. Surrounded by love and wonder at NOLA's famed Dooky Chase's restaurant, guests were treated to delicious delicacies along with a special unveiling of concept art of the exhibition and a photo moment with Princess Tiana herself. Source: Disney Between beignets and buttered biscuits, we chatted with visionary Carmen Smith, Senior Vice President, Creative Development – Product/Content & Inclusive Strategies, who gushed about the upcoming exhibition which extends Tiana's beloved story beyond the parks. Source: Disney 'We want people who may not know her to get to know this beautiful princess who is full of strength and vigor and pride and joy,' said Smith who underscored the importance of bringing Tiana to families who may not be able to make it to the parks just yet. 'What makes [Tiana] so unique is she lives in all of us,' she added. 'This is a character that people identify with–that people from all walks can aspire to.' Building on the success of Tiana's Bayou Adventure, the Disney brand continues to thrive, especially at Disneyland Resort which celebrated its 70th Anniversary this week. Bustling with the brightest blues and pinkest pinks, the storied park brought together starry-eyed guests for an epic celebration at the happiest place on Earth. 'I'm excited!' said Sybil Crum, Vice President of Marketing & Commercial Strategy at Disneyland Resort, about the future of Disneyland Resort. 'I don't think there's any better way to describe it–just really excited. Happy. Grateful. Thinking about what's next–Walt Disney had a great quote, 'Disneyland will never be finished as there's imagination left in the world,' and there's plenty of imagination left.' Source: Disneyland Resort For more info on all things Disney Parks, click here. The post You Geaux, Girl! Princess Tiana Is Taking Her Enchanted Talents On A Nationwide 'Joyful Celebration' Tour In 2027 appeared first on Bossip. SEE ALSO You Geaux, Girl! Princess Tiana Is Taking Her Enchanted Talents On A Nationwide 'Joyful Celebration' Tour In 2027 was originally published on
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Essence Fest 2025 Releases Statement Following Lauryn Hill Backlash
Essence has stepped in to make it crystal clear that no slander against Ms. Lauryn Hill will be tolerated following her perceived 'late' performance at Essence Fest 2025. In an Instagram post in response to backlash, the festival issued a loving and firm statement backing the star. 'Family is family and around here we protect our own no matter what the PEOPLE have to say. Let's be very clear — WE don't play about Ms. Lauryn Hill,' it reads. 'Not for clicks. Not for headlines. 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 publication closed the message with this powerful reminder: 'Put some respect on her name. Keep the takes, but keep her out of them. All love and deep profound admiration for Ms. Lauryn Hill. #ESSENCEFest25.' According to attendees, the eight-time Grammy-winning artist didn't hit the stage at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans until 2:30 A.M on Saturday morning (July 5), hours after many festival-goers had already called it a night. By the time she launched into her set, only a few hundred people remained in the 'nearly empty' venue — which holds over 80,000. However, she still gave an unforgettable show. The evening ran off-schedule from the start, according to with act after act finishing nearly an hour late. Hill, for her part, didn't just slip in fashionably late; she was added to an already stacked lineup that included Jill Scott, Davido, Donnell Jones, Moliy, and Buju Banton. So while TikTok might be filled with videos of empty seats, it's also full of clips capturing Hill's soulful performance for the dedicated fans who stuck it out. And for those who did wait, it was well worth it. Hill took time to connect with the intimate crowd, accepted a few song requests, and even brought out her sons — Zion Marley and Joshua 'YG' Marley — for a touching family moment. She wrapped her set around 3:30 A.M., according to The Hollywood Reporter, after performing beloved tracks like 'Zion' and 'Tell Him.' Her son YG Marley even blessed the mic with a live rendition of his viral hit, 'Praise Jah In The Moonlight.' 'It was a PHENOMENAL set! I am happy and thankful that I stayed. Still feeling inspired!!!' one fan commented on the event as another defended Hill against the criticism. 'She was NOT late, the entire show started late & she didn't get to start at her scheduled time because there were two acts before her still going when she should have been on the stage,' they wrote on Instagram. They added, 'That woman does not deserve this negative narrative as if 'she did something wrong' or like her fans don't support her. It was late & people were just tired. Give her a break.' Someone else chimed in, 'I woulda been there up at 4am enjoying her set.' See ESSENCE's official statement regarding Lauryn Hill's performance above. More from Lauryn Hill Performs For Nearly Empty Superdome At Essence Fest Hours After Scheduled Set Raphael Saadiq Would've Rather Had Lauryn Hill In Lucy Pearl? Nicki Minaj Named Best Female Rapper Of All-Time, Barbz And Haters React