Update (Jan. 26, 2024): Lovers & Friends Festival has confirmed that Mary J. Blige will indeed be performing at the event in Las Vegas. “THE QUEEN OF R&B HERSELF, MARY J BLIGE! We can’t wait to see her perform in vegas,” the festival posted on Instagram on Friday. In a follow-up comment, they wrote: “Yes she will be here! She took down the post. See you in Vegas.”
Blige originally shared a statement, which can be read below, announcing that she would not be at the event. She has since removed the post from social media.
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When Lovers & Friends Festival announced its star-studded lineup on Tuesday (Jan. 23), many R&B fans flocked to social media to share excitement. Mary J. Blige was among the massive list of artists set to perform. However, Blige went to social media on Thursday (Jan. 25) to clarify that she was mistakenly added to the lineup and has other commitments.
“I am beyond humbled by the response from all of you about the announcement of me on Lovers & Friends Festival,” Blige wrote in a statement shared on Instagram Stories. “Unfortunately my inclusion was an error as I will be in preparation for my Strength of a Woman Summit just one week later! I have the greatest fans in the world and can’t wait to see you in New York in a few short months!”
The 2024 Lovers & Friends Festival is set for May 4 at Las Vegas Fairgrounds in Las Vegas, Nevada. Usher, Janet Jackson and Backstreet Boys are at the top of the bill. Additional performers — who reposted the flyer on social media — include Jodeci, Ne-Yo, Keyshia Cole, Robin Thicke, and more.
Tickets to the Lovers & Friends Festival go on sale to the general public Friday (Jan. 26) at 10 a.m. PT.
Circling back to Blige’s Strength of a Woman Festival, the event will take place in New York City during Mother’s Day weekend. A lineup has not been revealed at this time.
Last year’s festival featured headlining performances by Blige and Ms. Lauryn Hill, plus Lucky Daye, Muni Long and Summer Walker, among others.
Earlier this week, Blige revealed that she plans to drop a new project this summer, which she described as “something nice for my fans.” The project announcement comes as her song “Still Believe in Love” enters its fifth week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart.
