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Lauryn Hill has fired back at accusations from her former Fugees bandmate Pras Michel, who filed a lawsuit accusing her of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and contract violations related to the cancellation of their 2023-24 reunion tour.
The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, claims Hill and her company, MLH Touring, Inc., “grossly mismanaged” the tour’s marketing, budgeting, and other logistics. Michel argues that these actions led to the cancellation of the second leg of the tour and a significant loss of earnings. He also alleged that Hill took 40% of the tour profits for herself, leaving him and Wyclef Jean with a reduced share.
According to Michel’s filing, most of the shows had sold out, and the tour could have been a financial success. However, he accuses Hill of inflating expenses and mishandling finances to ensure the tour failed. Michel’s complaint also points to Hill’s refusal of a $5 million offer to perform at Coachella due to personal objections about the event’s headlining order.
In response, Hill issued a statement on her Instagram, dismissing the claims as “false” and stating that Michel’s judgment may have been affected by his ongoing legal battles, including his conviction related to foreign lobbying charges. She clarified that the tour was organized to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, and would have gone ahead regardless of the Fugees’ involvement.
Despite the lawsuit, Hill maintained her “compassion” for Michel but expressed frustration over his accusations. Michel’s representatives, however, doubled down on their claims, questioning Hill’s transparency and accusing her of tarnishing the Fugees’ legacy.
The lawsuit seeks an annulment of the tour contract and a full accounting of the tour’s finances, as well as actual and punitive damages.
