Lauryn Hill is responding to the severe allegations made against her by fellow Fugees co-founder Pras Michél, who has filed a lawsuit accusing her of fraud and breach of contract regarding the group’s shortened 2023 tour and the canceled 2024 tour.
In her remarks to Variety, Hill labels Michél’s lawsuit as “baseless” and filled with “false claims and unwarranted attacks.” The Grammy-winning artist highlights that Michél’s legal filing, submitted on Tuesday in the Southern District of New York, fails to mention that her former bandmate “was advanced overpayment for the last tour and has failed to repay substantial loans extended by myself as an act of goodwill.”
While Michél acknowledges he lost money on the 2023 tour—which was canceled due to Hill’s vocal issues—he claims to be $900,000 in unrecouped expenses.
However, Hill clarifies that the 2024 tour, which Live Nation canceled shortly before its start, “was being planned whether the Fugees were involved or not.” Michél’s lawsuit alleges that both he and fellow co-founder Wyclef Jean’s participation was a condition set by Live Nation.
A representative for Michél’s legal team countered, stating, “Ms. Hill’s response is categorically false. If she was so responsible with the management of the tour, why has she not sent an accounting to Pras? Why has she refused him the ability to audit her books and records?
Where did the eight-figure advance she received from [live entertainment company] Mammoth go? Most importantly, why has she not addressed the fact that she has tarnished the Fugees brand with her chronic tardiness?”
Michél’s attorneys, Robert Meloni and Thomas McCaffrey, are leading his defense. Hill is represented by attorney Howard King, known for representing high-profile clients like Marilyn Manson and Dr. Dre. King described the lawsuit as “desperate and unfortunate,” asserting it is “packed with lies and intentionally disparaging remarks.”
He added that it is particularly disheartening that the suit neglects to mention how Pras was excessively advanced for the last tour to assist with his growing legal expenses.
King expressed disappointment at Michél’s lack of gratitude for the financial support Hill provided during his time of need, asserting that they will vigorously defend against the lawsuit.
In her statement, Hill references Michél’s ongoing legal challenges, which are also discussed in his lawsuit. Michél was found guilty in April 2023 for breaching the Foreign Agents Registration Act and acting as an agent of China, connected to the extravagant 1MDB scandal involving financier Jho Low, who is accused of stealing $4.5 billion from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund.
Hill claims that her solo 2023 tour was expanded to include the Fugees because she learned that Pras was in financial trouble and required funds for his legal defense.
Contrary to Hill’s assertion, Michél contends that her supposed act of saving him was a covert scheme to profit from a lucrative Fugees reunion tour, which he claims primarily benefited her financially.