On Friday night, the 2019 Essence Festival kicked off with a fire lineup of talent across four stages at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot headlined first, then on Saturday night, crowds filled the arena to see our forever first lady Michelle Obama be interviewed by celebrity journalist Gayle King followed by a moving headlining performance by Essence Festival fan favorite Mary J. Blige.
While there’s no shortage of action happening onstage, at Essence Festival there’s always plenty of fun happening backstage too, as your favorite celebrities come together to mingle and chill at the biggest concert event of the year.
See which of your favorite celebrities were spotted posing for our photo booth this year. We can’t get enough of the sweet moment Patti LaBelle and Iyanla Vanzant shared. See the best portraits from the weekend below.
01
Rotimi
POWER star Rotimi poses backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival at the Superdome on Friday July 5th.
Karl Ferguson
02
Rotimi
POWER star Rotimi poses backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival at the Superdome on Friday July 5th.
Karl Ferguson
03
Trina
Rapper Trina shows off her nails backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival.
Karl Ferguson
04
Trina
Rapper Trina backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival.
Karl Ferguson
05
Damson Idris
Snowfall star Damson Idris backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival at the Superdome on Friday.
Karl Ferguson
06
Damson Idris
Snowfall star Damson Idris backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival at the Superdome on Friday.
Karl Ferguson
07
Damson Idris
Snowfall star Damson Idris backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival at the Superdome on Friday.
Karl Ferguson
08
H.E.R.
H.E.R. poses for the cameras backstage at the Superdome at the 2019 ESSENCE Fest in New Orleans.
Karl Ferguson
09
H.E.R.
H.E.R. poses for the cameras backstage at the Superdome at the 2019 ESSENCE Fest in New Orleans.
Karl Ferguson
10
Elle Varner
Elle Varner poses for the cameras backstage at the Superdome at the 2019 ESSENCE Fest in New Orleans.
Karl Ferguson
11
Wale
Rapper Wale poses backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival at the Superdome on Friday July 5th.
Karl Ferguson
12
Wale
Rapper Wale poses backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival at the Superdome on Friday July 5th.
Karl Ferguson
13
Patti LaBelle
Legendary singer Patti LaBelle shines backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival at the Superdome on Friday July 5th.
Karl Ferguson
14
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15
Patti LaBelle and Iyanla Vanzant
Legendary singer Patti LaBelle and author and celebrity life coach Iyanla Vanzant backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival at the Superdome on Friday July 5th.
Karl Ferguson
16
Musiq Soulchild
Musiq Soulchild poses for the cameras backstage at the Superdome at the 2019 ESSENCE Fest in New Orleans.
Karl Ferguson
17
Musiq Soulchild
Musiq Soulchild poses for the cameras backstage at the Superdome at the 2019 ESSENCE Fest in New Orleans.
Karl Ferguson
18
Patti LaBelle and Anthony Anderson
Legendary singer Patti LaBelle and actor Anthony Anderson pose backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival at the Superdome on Friday July 5th.
Karl Ferguson
19
Anthony Anderson
Black-ish star Anthony Anderson poses backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival at the Superdome on Friday July 5th.
Karl Ferguson
20
Anthony Anderson
Black-ish star Anthony Anderson poses backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival at the Superdome on Friday July 5th.
Karl Ferguson
21
Patti LaBelle and Iyanla Vanzant
Legendary singer Patti LaBelle and author and celebrity life coach Iyanla Vanzant backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival at the Superdome on Friday July 5th.
Karl Ferguson
22
Lynn Whitfield
Actress Lynn Whitfield shines backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival at the Superdome on Friday.
Karl Ferguson
23
Lynn Whitfield
Actress Lynn Whitfield shines backstage at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival at the Superdome on Friday.
