Every TLC fan out there knows that Miss Chilli Thomas does not like to celebrate her birthday. But being on the ultimate Girls Cruise on your birthday week isn’t the easiest way to avoid celebrating!
In the 4th episode of this wild and adventurous Caribbean cruise, the ladies continue their soul searching, bonding and pushing themselves to step out of their comfort zones!
“Chilli is queen of the day!”, Rome announces excitedly on the loud speakers to the rest of the crew on the yacht. Chilli takes a call from her son, Tron Austin, who reminds her that this is the first time she has been out of town on her birthday. But he reassures her that they can celebrate together when she returns home.
Meanwhile, B. Simone gets to know Rakeem aka ‘Dreads’ a little better at the bar with some specially made cocktails from the barman. B. Simone eventually admits to him that she doesn’t know his real name!
Chilli knocks on Mya‘s door for a little girl talk in her bedroom. Chilli opens up to Mya about the reasons why she is so against celebrating her birthday. “I just don’t like the numbers! That’s all it is”, Chilli says.
“Let me take it all the way back”, Chilli adds. “I remember my early 20s, you’re so excited, you think you’re so grown. And then I remember when I hit 25, at that point it was just a countdown for me. I was like, ‘in 5 years I’ll be 30’. So the trip started then. And then when I hit 30, I was like, I’m done. I was like, I’m done with these numbers. I’m not celebrating anymore”.
Mya let’s Chilli know that she understands, although she believes in celebrating her age every year. “I believe in celebrating birthdays”, Mya tells the viewers. “I believe in celebrating life, no matter how old you get. Look, if I get older, and I’m celebrating my birthday, I’m celebrating the Chilli way, because I’m trying to look like that — forever!”
Chilli reveals details of her special lunch date with Rome to Mya, telling her that he’s a sweet guy but she gave him a friendly push back, as she wasn’t on the trip to look for a date. “I haven’t known Rome long enough to know if he’s even Chilli’s type”, Mya confesses. “It’s not gonna fly if he’s not some black Jesus or something like that!”.
Mya later joins Tiffany on the deck for a catch up. It was the first time the two had some time alone together since the drama of Mya forgetting Tiffany’s name at the concert in Oistins. Mya questions Tiffany about her friendship with Lil’ Kim, and if she felt like she ever has to shrink her presence to let Kim shine.
“I have never had that thought in my head. I have never felt like that”, Tiffany insists, surprised to hear Mya’s views on her. “I’m a little taken back, because people in society pit women against each other. It’s almost like you can’t have a successful friend and have success yourself”, Tiffany says. “Kim and I have based our friendship on support, so I hope that this can be an example of what sisterhood is to Mya”.
Mya seems unsure about Tiffany’s statement. “But, has she ever been around your circle?”, Mya asks. “Yeah. It’s like, I shine on my own, and I want my sister to shine on her own”, Tiffany replies. “Get your dreams! I call her mini Cleopatra. Break barriers! But sometimes people like to project, because I guess naturally in this business you have to be guarded — be prepared.”
The crew later get ready for Chilli’s birthday dinner. Chilli reveals to everybody that she is thankful for their friendship on the trip, as it has learned her to open up more and be relaxed around situations outside of her comfort zone.
Lil’ Kim then encourages everybody to open up about their insecurities. Mya admits that she has always missed having somebody to call and talk to. “It’s very important for us as women to stick together, because we need each other”, Mya says. “It’s so important that we uplift each other. It’s hard out here, to get through life alone. And we need that support system to uplift each other”.
Pretty Vee reveals that she has been battling with depression, whilst Char admits that he battles with finding real friends after feeling used. Lil’ Kim talks about being controlled by her ex, the late Notorious B.I.G., and being lost when he passed away in 1997, as she had no direction without him. “I had to go to prison for a year — I grew, I matured, and I said, ‘God, I’m so sorry! I didn’t know I wasn’t listening like this!”.
Due to the stormy weather, Rome announces that the crew will be unable to leave the yacht tonight. So, they decide to get comfortable and spend the remainder of Chilli’s birthday chilling on the boat. However, in an instant, the rocky waters began making everybody feel sea sick!
“It was like a domino effect — Vee, B, Mya”, Chilli says of the sickness taking over the crew. “We went from a birthday party to Mya and Vee passing out, Romey Rome can’t even stand up!”. Chilli offered her full support to everybody, nursing them with vital salts and some TLC!
“I had a good time celebrating my birthday, but now people are getting sick, and they need me”, Chilli says. “So, of course, I jump right back into Mama Chilli mode!”. “Kim wanted us to bond? This is the real deal!”, Tiffany exclaims.
The following day, the seas are calmer and the crew are recovered from their rough night of sickness. Chilli shares the moment with Tron on the phone. “When I tell you, the boat was like rocking and everybody got sea sick, except for me, Kim and Charles”.
B. Simone, who suffered the most vomiting that night, talks about her experience with Pretty Vee. “It hit me so quick after dinner. It was like eating and then getting on a rollercoaster. After I threw up three times, Chilli kept feeding me salt, bro”. B. Simone admitted that Chilli’s presence gave her some comfort, but she was still feeling queasy.
Lil’ Kim and Pretty Vee later have some time together in the gym and discuss how much they appreciate each other and being open to learning more about themselves through each other.
B. Simone is greeted by Rakeem, who is checking on her to make sure she is feeling better. Rakeem takes on board her suggestions of wanting someone assertive, and invites her to join him on the jet skis, which she reluctantly agrees to.
After freaking out over the wild skiing with Rakeem, alledging that she can see sharks, B. Simone is saved by the Queen Bee! Lil’ Kim jumps on a jet ski and drives down to catch up with B. Simone. “Here comes captain slay-a-ho, and I’ve come to save a ho!”, Kim jests.
‘Girls Cruise’ Episode 5 – Chilli’s Vital TLC Bond with T-Boz and Finding Talent On The Cruise | TLC-Army.com
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