Our Fave Instagram Pics from Last Year's Star-Studded #EssenceFest
Take a candid look at all the fun celebs had at last year's festivities. From the VIP room to backstage at the Superdome, here's how a star experiences the ESSENCE Festival.
Wefie in the New Orleans streets. #essencefest #TRIGGA
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Terrence J and Tika Sumpter
@iamterrencej and I being crazy backstage @ #365blackawards ! Soooo fun!! #essencefest
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Mary J. Blige
Great show tonight. thank you #nola. The crowd was amazing. So long for the night. @kenduisaacs #MyDad @nikkiskysavvy @donpoohmusic @jahajohnson @nicolii_sc @mrsmayrod Teterboro here we come. #HomesweetHome. #essencefestival
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Elle Varner
@saintrecords #essencefest
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Erykah Badu
About last night! @erykahbadu
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Luke James
New Orleans native Luke James took some time out from #essencefest to visit family. He posted: my god daughter London | credit : @hairbylp #neworleans
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Common
@Covergirl day party at the House of Blues with @common on the mic #essencefest #easybreezystyle #instafashion #instastyle #ad #fashion #Fashionbombdaily #style Image: @visualsbypierre
“So excited to spend some time with one of my favorite people tonight in New Orleans!! U would have sworn we hadn’t seen each other in years with that hug! Lol!!! Love u Mo! @monicabrown #Essenceweekend #friends #NOLA,” posted LeToya Luckett.
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Vanessa K. Bush and Roland Martin
“No, @essencemag top editor @Vanessa_KBush and I did not coordinate the lime green, but we’re looking good at @essencefest! #EssenceFest,” posted Roland Martin.
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Elle Varner
Was at rehearsal earlier today praying for/claiming the day I sell out the Superdome #workhard #prayhard
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Yolanda Adams and Ledisi
“The greatest inside and out Yolanda Adams,” posted Ledisi.
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Jazmine Sullivan and K.Michelle
“Backstage in my dressing room chilling with one of my favs @jsullivanmusic AMAZING artist,” posted K.Michelle.
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KeKe Wyatt
“Ready #gulfport #essencefest #teamke,” posted the R&B Divas star.
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Tamar Braxton and Toya Wright
My girl @toyawright talking me into this being a dress… Needless to say 4 bags of clothes later… I got my life!! #NOLA make sure you hit up @Garbboutique on magazine street!!
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Jesse Boykins III
“So much light on this stage at #essencefest , the super dome is huge #neworleans…got a chance to meet the sound & video production team to talk down my set & feel out the stage… #LoveApparatus,” posted Boykins.
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Trina and Towanda Braxton
“The Braxton Family Values stopped by #TheBigMMikeShow #TheBlazeFM #EssenceFest,” posted Big Mike.
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Nicole Murphy
Don’t forget to come see me tomorrow at the Walmart stage at 10:45 am #essencefestival #walmart #nicolemurphy
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Steve Harvey and TD Jakes
“Met up with @iamsteveharvey and @musicbykem #essencefest!,” posted Bishop TD Jakes.
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Bevy Smith, Emil Wilbekin, and Derek J.
“@debralangford @emilwilbekin @derekjhair and now @essencefest begins, good times, good people,” posted Bevy Smith.
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Soledad O’Brien, Cynthia Bailey, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and more
This great assortment of black girl power got together to discuss the beauty of confidence.
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Angela Simmons
“All in a days of work! Love @jojosayz best assistant,” posted Angela Simmons.
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Nas
“Essence Fest! #IllmaticXX,” posted the “Now Playing” headliner.
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Jazmine Sullivan and Trey Songz
“Trey luh me,” posted Jazmine Sullivan.
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Lance Gross
Me @iamterrencej & @treysongz turnt @ #essencefest
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Solange
R&B singer Elle Varner attended the Pop of Color day party and captured this photo of Solange DJ’ing with the caption, “@saintrecords killin the set!!”
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Cynthia Bailey and Tomiko Fraser
“Me & my girl beautiful @goddesstomiko #essencefest #walmart,” posted the Real Housewives of Atlanta star.
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Tina Campbell
Tina got #HELP backstage at #essencefest
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Estelle and Chef Roble
“With these lovelies. #nola @damarislewis @estelledarlings,” psted Chef Roble.
My darling #britishbae, @liannelahavas. #essencefest
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Peter Thomas and Robin Roberts
I love this woman, next to my wife the classiest woman I know,Robin is the best. #abc @cynthiabailey10
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Ledisi
What an awesome day!Happy 4th of July everyone! See ya tomorrow at Essence Music Festival ! #essencefest
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Michelle Williams
Happy 4th! #essencefest #selfie #neworleans beat by @deedee_kelly hair by @chrisgees
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Estelle and Sevyn Streeter
Essence later grams… with @sevyn
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Vanessa Williams
How cute is my baby sis @malinsworld ? Sooooo!!! #essencefest #sisters4Life #empowered @blackaids
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Lance Gross
.@uber_la on the way to the Airport. Headed to New Orleans for #essencefest Much to Smile about #lifeisgreat #blessed
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Cynthia Bailey
Got a chance to catch up with the always hilarious & super supportive @iamsteveharveytv #essencefest2014
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Chenoa Maxwell
Thank you @essencefest @essence @owntv making this girls July 4th a priceless one. Honored. #livinglimitlessly
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Angela Simmons
Fresh off the stage !!! I would do Center Stage @ #EssenceFest w/ @marriottintl all over again! That was incredible! Did you like the hotel collection?
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Roland Martin
A whole lot of sexiness at @essencefest with @naturinaughton and the leggy @NikkiBeharie. I’m all smiles, baby! #EssenceFest
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Naturi Naughton
#essencefestival me and my girls @nikkibeharie and @iamwendyraquel
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James Fortune and Iyanla Vanzant
I love her! #essencefest
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Robert C. Riley
Sending much love to all the fans I’ve met so far at #EssenceFestival #theloveisreal and I appreciate every one of you. If you see me don’t hesitate to say hey or get that selfie! #HittheFloor #terrencewall #vh1 #robrileynyc
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@michaelrowephoto
@chrisettemichelle strikes a pose backstage at the 2014 #essencefest
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@michaelrowephoto
Nichole Beharie (@nikkibeharie) and Naturi Naughton (@naturi4real) at the McDonalds 365Black Awards at #EssenceFest.
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Aja Brown
Excited to take the Essence Empowerment stage to discuss “Our Cities Our Solutions” #EssenceFest
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“Shameless” Maya Washington
With the amazing @Soledadobrien who’s also on the panel with us! Argh!!!! See you soon!
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Michael B. Jordan
#essence #nola
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Malinda Williams
French Quarter love…#essencefest #selfie
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Mali Music
And this is the infamous Essence Selfie. #Essenceselfie
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Ludacris
Malinda Williams hasn’t aged a day in 20 years! ! #essencefest
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Kiyah Wright and Chenoa Maxwell
#nola #prince concert !!
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Ledisi and Mali Music
Great seeing @malimusic this morning.
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Lance Gross
Me & @ellevarner
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Joy Reid
Just ran into Bishop TD Jakes at #EssenceFest!
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Erica Campbell
Me & KEM! #ESSENCEFest
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Erica Campbell and Tank
Me & this vocal beast @therealtank! #ESSENCEFest
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Steve Harvey
Behind the Main Stage #EssenceFest w/ interviews & @IamWendyRaquel @essencefest
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Chrisette Michele
Hey pretty people. Just saying hello from backstage at the ESSENCE FEST Walmart stage. #ucomin? Wassup N.O. xoxo!!!
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Chenoa Maxwell and Bishop TD Jakes
My day was made when I ran into @BishopJakes & he blessed me with a big ole hug. Love me some him! #picoftheday #essencefest
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Chante Moore
2HOTT THANGS @ the Prince concert @Essence Fest 2014!!
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Kim Burrell
I forgot to post this one from yesterday… Love @ledisi so much!! #essencefest
At the #365awards here at #EssenceFest2014 where giving back is what it’s all about. #change
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Roland Martin
Can y’all guess what me and @yolandalive are discussing? LOL @essencefest #essencefest
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Traci Braxton
Me nd my beat sister @itowandabraxton with my boo @jawnmurray #EssenceFest #TraciBraxton #BFV #TowandaBraxton #NewOrleans #TraBirds @Gain @gainlaundry
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Lil’ Mo
@thedynamoshow and @marshaAmbrosius backstage at #essencefest
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Marsha Ambrosius
Thanks Verizon @jmcdeezie #EssenceFest
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Ludacris
Amazing Stories Panel. Hope we inspired y’all New Orleans! #essencefest
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Sanaa Lathan
@tyrese is the luckiest man in New Orleans. @tarajiphenson #essencefest
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Lianne La Havas
Prince and Eye #essencefest #sometimesitsnowsinapril #essencefest YOLO #nawlins
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James Fortune
Me and @therealtank hanging out backstage at the Verizon Booth! #vzwessencefest #essencefest
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LeToya Luckett
I was tryna get a Lil selfie in b4 I went on the main stage to represent #McDonalds at #essencefest2014 & clearly I wasn’t alone @tarajiphenson @everlylee
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Kierra Sheard
#365BlackAwards at the #essencefestival #nervous #excited #thankful