GloRilla had social media buzzing when she made her appearance on the red carpet at New York City’s UBS Arena on September 12 for the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.
GloRilla decided to pay tribute to the late TLC star, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, rocking a similar hairstyle to Lisa from her appearance at the 2000 Soul Train Awards, where she served as the host that year.
“I sat with my stylist EJ [King] and we came up with a few ideas,” GloRilla tells Vogue. “This vibe just felt right.”
Left Eye at the 2000 Soul Train Awards
GloRilla and EJ enlisted designer Bent Kahina for the custom red carpet ensemble. Sadai Banks was tapped for makeup, and Coca Michelle for nails. Hairstylist and wig maker Tokyo Stylez was tasked with recreating Lopes’s famous hairstyle—marked by multiple three-plait braids morphing into rings, and heavy bangs.
“I’m a fan of a lot of great female artists that came before me, so I wanted to pay a tribute to them,” Glorilla says, adding that the opportunity to perform at the VMAs “meant everything,” to her. “I’m truly blessed!”
GloRilla at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards
Marie Brown(formerly Davis), was TLC’s original and long-term hairstylist. She was also responsible for many of Left Eye’s most iconic hairdos, including the afro-futuristic braids she wore at the 2000 Soul Train Awards.
“The circles are the little round pieces of styrofoam”, Marie tells Essence. “Styrofoam from Michael’s. You wrap them around, and they’re just braided on and connected onto her hair. I was just always trying to do something different. I was trying to always reach a different level with her and she was just free to do it.”
GloRilla didn’t win any of the awards in her nominated categories, but she stole the show as she rapped her hit singles “Yeah Glo!” and “TGIF”.
GloRilla, real name Gloria Woods, is very much a fan of TLC and is honored to share her appreciation for the ladies at every opportunity she can.
This isn’t the first time GloRilla has paid homage to Left Eye. She also paid tribute to Left Eye with her fashion choices at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards.
GloRilla struck up a close relationship with the surviving members of TLC earlier this year at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards, where she was honored with introducing T-Boz and Chilli to the stage for a special performance.
TLC surprised the audience with a performance of their hit single, “Waterfalls,” featuring a guest appearance by Latto.
What were your thoughts on GloRilla paying homage to Left Eye. Did she pull off the look?
Following the revelation of her health scare last week that led to a couple of postponed TLC concert dates, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins decided to speak out this week via multiple media outlets, including her own social media, television talk show Portia, and the award winning radio show The Breakfast Club.
It was on the latter show where T-Boz opened up about her feelings about her situation, which she wished was not made as public as it has been. During her appearance on the show on August 29, T-Boz said that what happened to her “could’ve happened to anyone.”
T-Boz on The Breakfast Club (Aug 29, 2024)
She recalled feeling fine right before TLC’s scheduled performance in Syracuse for the New York State Fair. T-Boz initially thought she had food poisoning due to something she ate. She hilariously compared the feeling in her stomach to a classic move from the Incredible Hulk. “My stomach felt like if the Incredible Hulk took it and just said ‘Hulk Smash!'”
“It was like I couldn’t stand up. I couldn’t talk. I couldn’t walk,” she continued. “When the doctor came to see me to prove that I was sick, he immediately was like,’She has to go in and admit her.'”
T-Boz wanted to be very clear that what happened to her had nothing to do with her sickle cell disease. Her ailment was caused by scar tissue that hit her small intestine and caused a blockage. The scar tissue formed from a C-section she had 24 years ago for the birth of her eldest daughter, Chase Rolison. She also shot down rumors of her being on Ozempic and addressed those who tried to misdiagnose her online.
T-Boz was in the hospital for three days before being released to continue her recovery at home.
DJ Envy addressed T-Boz’s actions online, hitting back at the negative comments, which included people suggesting she should quit the group. “Who are you to tell me to quit my damn job?”, T-Boz said. “Life is life. Life comes with some stuff, life ain’t easy. But, you’ll never catch me complaining. If you work hard for something and you like what you do, who are you to tell me to stop?”
“My stomach issue didn’t have anything to do with me stopping my career”, T-Boz continued. “I’m not stopping Chilli from doing anything that she wants to do solo or anybody else. It’s not stopping anything for anybody but me. And, if I am okay, I’m not stupid. I’m not gonna go out there and kill myself for nothing and nobody. That’s why the show was cancelled, because I knew better. I can’t do it.”
T-Boz also hit fans with a bombshell statement regarding her remaining time dedicated to touring with TLC. She revealed that she is likely to retire from the tour life sometime next year, making more time for her family and other solo endeavors.
“I know what my body can do and what it can’t do”, T-Boz explains. “I love performing. It’s in my heart, it’s in my soul. I’m gonna do it. But, when it’s time to stop, then I’ll stop. I was born this way, I was dealt these cards, so I don’t know any different. I knew that I had to go the extra mile to do what I wanna do. I do more than your average artist to get up there, but this is what I chose to do. But trust me, when it’s time for me to sit my black behind down, I do.”
Charlemagne The God asked T-Boz how touring feels 30 years into her career. “You see Usher? Child, it’s hard for everybody!Even for the average person, touring is hard!” T-Boz admits. “You don’t have to have a disease to take a break or have an injury. Things are hard, that’s why I’m gearing up to retire, probably next year. So, if you want to see TLC [in concert], I suggest you do it now, because I don’t think I’m going to be doing this for much longer. I am 54, but I am blessed. I was told that wasn’t going to live past 30 — I’m 54, still on stage, still selling out arenas and stadiums. When God and my body tell me to stop, then I’ll stop — I’m not crazy! I’m not going to kill myself doing this.”
The mention of potential retirement completely had fans feeling a certain way, but T-Boz made it clear that she will still be out there handling business. She is merely retiring from the touring aspect of her career.
“I’m not going nowhere, I’m still going to be doing other things, but I’m just retiring from touring”, T-Boz explains. “Because, it is hard on your body. And, because I have sickle cell. I don’t want to be ‘broke down Benny’, tore up from the floor up, when it’s time to spend time with my family. No, so I’m going to stop, so I can do other things and spend more time with my children. I’m gonna do the right thing, but I have learned how to pace myself on stage.”
T-Boz said that she agrees with her daughter Chase, who reminded her that she has given 32 years of her life to her craft, so she has nothing left to prove — she is a legend. She has undoubtedly earned the right to slow down and enjoy the fruits of her labour.
TLC absolutely deserve to be given a residency at some point, something they have wanted to do for years and have more than proved themselves that they are more than capable of putting on a sensational show.
T-Boz promoting Good As Burgers on Portia
T-Boz will be more focused on her other projects that she has in the works. She is currently writing movie scripts, and she may release some more music in the future. She also plans to take on more endorsement deals, such as her GLAD endorsement that she featured in recently, choreographed by Sean Bankhead.
She also has her successful businesses that continue to flourish, including the natural remedy company TLCBD and her joint vegan family business Good As Burgers (GABS).
We’re GLAD that T-Boz is doing well, and using her platform to help educate more about abdominal obstruction.
We’ll support her with every project that she takes part in. Be sure to catch TLC at their next show. Details of upcoming dates can be found at officialtlc.com
It felt like it was the 90’s all over again at the Stockbridge Amphitheater in the state of Georgia on July 21, and it wasn’t just because one of the greatest R&B groups of the 90’s, Jodeci, were performing for two nights at the iconic venue.
There was something else that made this night extra special. The gorgeous T of TLC made a special guest appearance during the Jodeci concert, which was a weekend-long concert alongside the legendary Johnny Gill and R&B group Silk.
Jodeci at Stockbridge Amphitheater
Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins took to the stage to present her former beau and lifelong friend, Dalvin “Mr. Dalvin” DeGrate, with a stunning custom cake to celebrate his birthday, which was coming a few days later on July 23.
T-Boz greeted Mr. Dalvin and K-Ci Hailey on stage, (Jodeci members Jojo Hailey and Devanté DeGrate were not present) and then proceeded to serenade the birthday guy with a rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday“, with support from the crowd and the Jodeci band, including guitarist Mykal Curtis, who is commonly known for being a regular in TLC’s band when they go on tour.
Mr. Dalvin’s birthday cake from T-Boz
Mr. Dalvin took to his Instagram on his birthday to thank T-Boz for her kind gesture, and hilariously included TLC’s “Creep” as the soundtrack to the post.
For added context, T-Boz broke up with Mr. Dalvin back in the day due to his promiscuity during their relationship, and the TLC song “Creep” is about a cheating partner, although it wasn’t about their relationship in particular.
“Thank you, T-Boz, for surprising me on stage with one of the most creative bday cakes I’ve ever seen,” Mr. Dalvin said. “It’s rare to find someone u can call a real friend no matter what the situation was … we are friends for life”, before adding “… that song tho”, along with laughing emoji’s.
T-Boz joined in the comments and said, “The song though!!! Always Got U!!!” Mr. Dalvin replied, saying, “u ain’t right lol,” and T-Boz hit right back and said, “u chose it! u so funny, haaaaa love it, though.” Mr. Dalvin concluded the chat with “I wonder why [I chose that song]” with some humorous emoji’s.
Last month, the couple labeled themselves as ‘Batman and Robin‘ when they reunited to say that they had something exciting to announce, which has yet to be revealed.
T-Boz and Mr. Dalvin have the cutest friendship. They are the living proof that you can grow closer to ex partners after a break-up and can get along better as friends.
However, time will tell if our favourite couple from the 90’s will ever rekindle the flame one day!
If it feels like 1995 to some of you all over again, that may be due to the fact that our former favorite R&B power couple – Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins of TLC, and Dalvin “Mr. Dalvin” DeGrates of Jodeci – are still as close as ever, three decades since they parted ways in the 90’s.
The self-proclaimed “dynamic duo” are still good friends, and have remained close friends for many years. The two music legends reignited some excitement amongst fans when they simultaneously posted a video on their social media to announce that they were ‘coming back’.
On June 14, T-Boz and Mr. Dalvin showed the world how much chemistry they still have, as they playfully decided that they were like ‘Batman and Robin’.
“We’ve got something coming — Dalvin — T-Boz — you already know what it is”, Mr. Dalvin said in the video. T-Boz co-signed the statement and said, “Frick and Frack, Frack and Frick! We’re back, y’all!”
Mr. Dalvin & T-Boz (1995)
The duo did not confirm what the reunion would be about, whether it was music related, a tour, or something else.
T-Boz and Mr. Dalvin’s last public outing together was back in 2022, when T-Boz stopped by at the Culture Tour, when the show touched down in Savannah, GA to show some love and support to her performing friends, including Jodeci.
Mr. Dalvin & T-Boz (2022)
T-Boz said she was doing good, to which Mr Dalvin hilariously replied, “you’ve been without me, that’s why you’ve been good!”, leaving T-Boz laughing hysterically.
T-Boz and Mr. Dalvin were in a relationship during the 90’s and were considered the ultimate couple during their time together. T-Boz even made a cameo in the Jodeci video, 1995’s “Love U 4 Life“, posing as Mr. Dalvin’s wife during the marriage ceremony.
Rev. Run, T-Boz & Mr. Dalvin (1995)T-Boz in ‘Love U 4 Life’ (1995)
What do you think the upcoming announcement will be about?
Leon@TLCArmy
TLC-Army.com 