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Essence Festival organizers faced considerable criticism in the wake of their annual event in New Orleans, which was reportedly marred by issues related to timing and scheduling, according to some accounts. Ms. Lauryn Hill performed last week at Essence Festival to a nearly empty stadium after arriving in the wee hours of the morning, but the organizers of the festival say it was no fault of her own.

Taking to social media, Essence Festival organizers, well aware of the complaints regarding Ms. Lauryn Hill’s set time, defended the veteran artist, who arrived onstage on July 5 at around 2:30 AM local time. Hill’s set reportedly concluded at 3:37 AM local time, as reported, with many attendees having already vacated the venue.

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From Essence Festival:

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.

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

Put some respect on her name.
Keep the takes, but keep her out of them.

Ms. Lauryn Hill supported the Essence Festival statement with one of her own via social media, writing in part, “There seems to be a misconception out there though that I am somewhere on the Riviera with my feet up, drink in hand, showing up to concerts whenever because I’m too important to care. That’s nonsense.”

Check out both statements below.

—

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It was glitz, glam, and Black girl greatness at its finest as the National Urban League hosted its 6th annual Women in Harmony Awards Luncheon on Saturday, July 5, one of Essence Festival weekend’s most exclusive and empowering events.

Held at the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, the red carpet affair celebrated four phenomenal women who are breaking barriers and building legacies: iconic soul-stirring songstress Patti LaBelle, television trailblazer Mara Brock Akil, rising political powerhouse Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), and beauty mogul Danessa Myricks.

Themed Her Power, Her Prosperity, the luncheon was an inspiring ode to Black women who lead, uplift and innovate. From fierce fashion to fearless speeches, the room pulsed with energy, elegance, and unapologetic excellence from the likes of Tisha Campbell, Muni Long, Marlo Hampton, and Stephanie Mills.

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Guests were treated to soulful serenades from Howard Hewett and MAJOR., plus motivational gems from author and mindset coach Dr. Cheryl P. Williamson, who reminded the crowd of their brilliance and boldness.

Adding even more charm to the afternoon was a surprise appearance from the famed Silver Foxes in sleek suits who graciously gifted flowers to guests, made rounds with warm smiles, and ensured every woman in the room felt celebrated, seen, and showered with love.

The luxe Self Care Lounge was also a hit, offering beauty touch-ups and consultations courtesy of Danessa Myricks Beauty, along with other wellness treats that let guests refresh and reset.

Myricks, who built her brand with a mission rooted in inclusivity and authenticity, reflected on the emotional impact of the day.

“What I do remember is the feeling walking into this room, having people walk up to you and tell you they love you. You matter. You belong,” she said. “It’s that feeling that I craved for so long. That’s the reason why this brand exists.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Jasmine Crockett delivered one of the afternoon’s most powerful and personal moments as she accepted her award.

“I have to tell you that I am humbled. I am humbled anytime someone says to me that I deserve recognition because when I wake up, and I decide that I am just gonna go in and be my very Black self at work, I can’t imagine that that is anything that is award-worthy,” she shared.

“But in a time in which people lack courage, in a time in which people lack authenticity, in a time in which people are simply just cowards and don’t want to fight for what they believe in, it is amazing that someone who simply just does what God has put on their life somehow is honored with an award. So I will tell you that I don’t feel worthy, but I will tell you that I am truly honored and thankful. I am honored to be in this fight and know that I am not in it by myself.”

She continued by reflecting on the support she receives from the community.

“I am honored every time I meet one of you on the streets, and y’all randomly tell me, even though we ain’t never met, that you’ve been praying for me. When people ask me what it is that I need in this moment, I tell them that, number one, I need prayers. Because when I tell you that I don’t think that I’m in a battle with anything less than evil, I mean that.”

Crockett also addressed the ongoing attacks on Black women in positions of power.

“If there is any one specific group that is under attack more than any other group, it is Black women. And it is because they are afraid of us. They are afraid of our greatness. They are afraid of our boldness, and frankly, they know that half of them shouldn’t be where they are, and that we should be taking their jobs. And many of us will be coming for their jobs soon enough.”

She wrapped her remarks with a signature mic-drop moment, proudly declaring that she shared “Wise words wittingly warring with weak weenies.”

Hosted by the Urban League’s own Rhonda Spears Bell, with remarks from President and CEO Marc H. Morial, the event was supported by sponsors Experian, McDonald’s, HCA Healthcare, and GEICO.

From flower petals to power moves, the Women in Harmony luncheon proved once again that when Black women gather, magic and momentum happen.

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The baddies were on the ground at this year’s energy-elevating Essence Fest where culture collided with community at the star-powered spectacular in the heart of the Big Easy.

Surrounded by stunners, attendees were treated to every of flavor of eye candy from Coco Jones to Keke Palmer who brought her hit podcast Baby, This is Keke Palmer to the Essence main stage for a special live-taping.

Joined by golden-penned Grammy-winner/reality star Kandi Burruss, Keke delivered her signature brand of hilarity while vibing with her hitmaking guest in front of an overflowing crowd in the convention center.

The multi-jobbed maven also dropped an exclusive clip of her upcoming comedy-heist film The Pickup starring Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson coming to Prime Video on August 6.

In The Pickup, mismatched armored truck drivers, Russell (Eddie Murphy) and Travis (Pete Davidson), find themselves caught up in Keke’s $60 million casino robbery plot with plans that go way beyond the cash cargo.

As chaos unfolds around them, the unlikely duo must navigate high-octane danger, clashing personalities and one very bad day that keeps getting worse.

Check out the trailer below:

Directed by Tim Story (The Blackening, Ride Along, and Barbershop), the surefire streaming hit also stars Eva Longoria, Marshawn Lynch, Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i, Andrew Dice Clay, and Ismael Cruz Córdova.

“He’s an icon,” said Story about working with Murphy during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show.

“We hear a lot about comedians talking about how much he’s made an impact on them, [but] sometimes you don’t hear how he’s impacted filmmaking…he’s a big reason why I make the movies I make.”

Will you be seated for The Pickup? Tell us down below and enjoy our gallery of fly girls, queen muvas and viral stunners who slayed Essence Fest 2025 on the flip.

Under the bright lights and bold beats of this year’s 2025 Essence Fest, CBS’s newest soap shone bright. Beyond The Gates, the sumptuous saga of secrets, status, and the sprawling Dupree dynasty, has already been renewed for a second season, a swift and significant win for a show that only debuted in February.

The first daytime soap with a predominantly Black cast in more than 35 years, Beyond the Gates weaves its stories around an elite Maryland family whose power and passion extend far beyond their gated community. Created by acclaimed writer Michele Val Jean and executive produced by Sheila Ducksworth, the show has helped revitalize CBS’s daytime block, with viewership gains and industry buzz to match.

At Essence Fest, where Beyond the Gates felt perfectly at home amid a weekend celebrating culture, community, and creativity, BOSSIP caught up with cast members Tamara Tunie and Karla Mosley, along with executive producer Sheila Ducksworth.

“It feels terrific,” Ducksworth told BOSSIP when asked about the show’s season two renewal. “It’s another season to bring you all the happenings of everything Beyond The Gates and with the Dupree family. It’s just something that we just love more than I can even say to have the opportunity five days a week to tell these stories with these characters and really show us a side of America that people haven’t seen before.”

Five days a week of fierce family drama is no small feat, and one of its most talked-about characters is the fiery and fearless Dani Dupree, portrayed by Karla Mosley. Dani is the firecracker of the Dupree family who never backs down from a fight (or a suckerpunch), especially if it involves herself or her relatives.

“Yes,” Mosley said when asked if Dani is a fighter. “And I think that’s the thing. Everything she does comes from love. She just can’t help it, she says, and she acts first, and then she doesn’t really think that much about the repercussions, she just keeps going, but it all comes from a place of love and truth, and just wanting justice.”

That blend of raw emotion and righteous energy is matched by Tamara Tunie’s portrayal of Anita Dupree, the commanding yet compassionate mother at the heart of the show. Known for playing strong women across stage and screen, Tunie effortlessly pumps power and poise into her role as the Dupree matriarch.

“Who does she worry about the most? Anita worries about all her children,” Tunie told BOSSIP. “The two sisters (Dani and Nicole) are very different. Nicole is much more calm and steady, and Dani’s a little more impulsive, you know, but she loves them both. And she loves them in different ways, because she meets them where they’re in need, and she fills that.”

The family dynamics are rich and real, but at the center of it all is a constant current, Black excellence. BOSSIP asked each cast member to define it in their own words, and the answers painted a vivid portrait of purpose and pride.

“I mean, it’s something that it was always expected and always was in my life. So for me, it’s the norm, you know?” said Tunie. “But it’s great to be able to represent it on television, and I’m not saying Black excellence is only about wealth or money or material things. It’s about what’s happening in here,” she added, placing her hand over her heart. “And how you are moving through the world. Whether you are the garbage man, the postman, or a doctor, it’s how you are moving through the world and what you represent and what you’re bringing and putting into the world. That’s what Black excellence is, to me.”

Mosley agreed, reflecting on her personal experiences while filming in the peach state’s celebrated capital city, ATL.

“I think that’s so beautifully put,” she said. “And you know, it’s exciting for me to be on the soap, but also to live in Atlanta, to be here in New Orleans, to be in the South around so many more Black people, and where it’s the norms and just show up as you as fully as you are, and where children are encouraged to speak their minds, and that what they have to say is important and valued, and our innovation is celebrated. I think that’s really what it is all about.”

Then Ducksworth brought it all home with clarity and conviction.

“It’s about being the best that you can be, whatever stage of your life that you’re in with being the best that it can be,” she told BOSSIP. “When I first went to put the show together, it was really about something that inspires, and something the people can aspire to. And that’s exactly what this show delivers on. It’s all about just being the best that you can possibly be.”

As Beyond the Gates heads into its second season, its success isn’t just a win for CBS, it’s a triumph for storytelling that centers and celebrates the richness of Black identity. With each episode, the show redefines what daytime drama can look like, and at Essence Fest, the cast reminded us why representation means absolutely everything from inside the gates and beyond.

This summer, Disney is celebrating Black excellence coast to coast with two powerful initiatives: a historic HBCU celebration at Downtown Disney and a royal reveal at Essence Festival, spotlighting creativity and community for the culture.

Disney On The Yard Brings HBCU Spirit To The West Coast

For the first time ever, Disney on the Yard, a program designed to build community among HBCU students and alumni, is bringing its vibrant West Coast YardFest to the Downtown Disney District on July 12, 2025, per a press release.

The free, family-friendly event kicks off at 6 p.m. PT and will feature a live DJ, giveaways, and a show-stopping moment: the first-ever appearance of Drum Major Mickey Mouse and his HBCU Drum Major crew at Disneyland Resort, accompanied by the dynamic Brooklyn United Drumline.

Guests are invited to rep their alma maters, don Divine Nine paraphernalia, or simply soak in the festive atmosphere near the Downtown Disney LIVE! stage and lawn. The event is open to the public and does not require theme park admission, though standard Downtown Disney parking rates apply, according to the release.

Adding to the excitement, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., will hold its 2025 International Leadership Seminar just steps away at the Anaheim Convention Center from July 10 to 13, drawing over 9,600 members, per the press release.

The timing presents a unique opportunity for sorority members to participate in both the leadership seminar and the cultural celebration. One of the event’s key figures, Aramide Boatswain, who leads marketing and commercial strategy at Disneyland Resort and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, played a major role in bringing this moment to life.

Bayou Blessings Take Center Stage At Essence Festival

In New Orleans, Disney delivered a major cultural announcement at the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture, unveiling Tiana’s Joyful Celebration, a new nationwide traveling exhibition in collaboration with The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, according to Disney Parks.

Inspired by the beloved Princess Tiana and rooted in the heart and soul of New Orleans, the interactive exhibit will take visitors on an immersive journey through music, food, crafts, and community traditions, all in the spirit of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction, which opened at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort in 2024.

The exhibition will make its debut on March 7, 2026, at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, recently named the No. 1 children’s museum in the country by USA Today, and will travel to 12 additional cities beginning in 2027, per the announcement.

In the exhibit storyline, guests will join Tiana’s neighborhood crew as they prepare for a big Mardi Gras parade that’s suddenly moved up. Everyone must come together to contribute their talents to help pull off the perfect celebration in time.

As Disney continues to expand its cultural storytelling beyond the parks, these two initiatives reflect a powerful commitment to celebrating Black identity, heritage, and joy in all its forms.

Stay tuned for more details on future Disney on the Yard events and city stops on the Tiana’s Joyful Celebration national tour.