Stephanie Mills Pens Open Letter to Essence Festival

Stephanie Mills Pens Open Letter to Essence Fest on Shortcomings

R&B icon Stephanie Mills recently penned an open letter addressing the organizational issues at the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture. She criticized the festival for production and logistical shortcomings that affected her performance and the overall artist experience. Mills highlighted scheduling, time management, and technical problems that disrupted the event’s flow and quality of performances. Her letter called for the festival’s organizers to address these failings to uphold its prestigious reputation and ensure a better experience for artists and attendees in the future. Source: https://ioneblackamericaweb.staging.go.ione.nyc/2025/07/09/stephanie-mills-pens-open-letter-to-essence-fest-on-shortcomings/