The ‘T’ of TLC superstar Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins recently sat down for a chat with xoNecole‘s London Alexaundria in January along with Tionne’s daughter Chase Rolison, to shed light on how they wanted to support the tragic wildfires in LA.
Chase recently launched her own Y2K-inspired vintage store, ‘Anela’s Vintage‘, an online vintage fashion boutique. The proceeds will benefit the LA Fire Department, which has been working tirelessly to put out the wildfires ravaging the city.
As well as becoming a fashion and beauty entrepreneur, Chase is also the official makeup artist for TLC, which is a perfect match for the ladies, as Chase knows their beauty needs so well.
“Chase is our makeup artist, for me and Chilli“, T-Boz explains. “Chilli is one of the most pickiest people on this planet! She makes all of our makeup artists feel bad. But she doesn’t do that to Chase. So, when she asked if Chase could be our makeup artist, I was [amazed]. Chase is the perfect person to do this”.
T-Boz launches Chase’s Closet (2005)
The multi-platinum artist reveals she recently moved to Tennessee and is looking forward to writing with country artists. “I want to start working with some country artists, because I’m good at writing pop and country pop. I want to beef up my catalog”.
T-Boz is grateful to finally own her own masters and reveals that companies are eager to get a chance to buy them. “The people are approaching me to sell my music, because I own my own masters and publishing. It took Lord knows how long to get to that point, but I’m here God, I’m here!”
She also wants to get into producing films and has been writing movie scripts, which she firstly did in 2005 with T.I. on the movie ‘ATL’. “I’m into writing movie scripts, so I want to start producing movies, because that’s all I do — watch movies”, T-Boz exclaims.
“I don’t believe in doing something that I’m not good at, but I know I’m good at that”, T-Boz states proudly. “My scripts are — they are some good scripts, I know they are! I have some people interested right now, so look out for me behind the cameras”.
As for the upcoming TLC musical, ‘CrazySexyCool: The TLC Musical‘, T-Boz explains that it will be something different to the previously told stories about TLC’s history. “It’s not going to be typical, like behind the music and all that. It’ll be more like the strength and triumph of three females and probably through the eye lens of the lyrics of our songs, if that makes sense,” T-Boz said.
“So I think it’ll be done differently. It’s time consuming. This is the third year we’ve been working on it, but it actually will hit Broadway next year, and I’m nervous about that. Like, she gets nervous. I get nervous.”
What do you think about T-Boz’s move to Tennessee? Are you looking forward to some T-Boz country pop? T-Boz movie? And the TLC musical?
The development of the eagerly awaited TLC musical is officially in it’s final stages and set to make its premiere to the theaters in 2026!
Ever since we previously revealed back in 2018 that T-Boz and Chilli expressed interest and wishes to pursue their dream to create a TLC musical, they have be gradually gearing up to making it become a reality.
According to an announcement via The Hollywood Reporter, the musical is described as a “semi-biographical” look at the chart-topping girl group.
The musical about girl group TLC will make its world premiere in Washington D.C. next summer.
Written and directed by Olivier-Award winner Kwame Kwei-Armah, ‘CrazySexyCool: The TLC Musical’ will premiere at Arena Stage Theater from June 12, 2026 through Aug. 9. The musical is described as a “semi-biographical” look at the chart-topping girl group, which produced hits such as “No Scrubs,” “Waterfalls” and “Unpretty.”
The musical will feature pre-existing songs from TLC. Chloe O. Davis will choreograph the show. Kwei-Armah also wrote and directed ‘One Love: The Bob Marley Musical‘.
“TLC is synonymous with rebellion — using their art to challenge, subvert and entertain,” Kwei-Armah said. “Why a musical? Why now? Their lives need to be sung. It’s about that time!”
No word on if TLC will indeed record new music to accompany the project, which they had previously expressed plans to do.
“Bringing this story to the stage is a dream come true,” Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins told Playbill. “We have performed in a lot of different venues all over the world throughout our career, but bringing our story and music to the theater is a totally new and exciting challenge.”
“We have some of the best people in the business working on this project,” said Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas. “Audiences will get to hear our story—mostly fact with a sprinkle of fiction – told in our own way, and of course it’s set to all your favorite hits!”
Bill Diggins, whose Diggit Theatrical Group is producing the musical, said in a press release: “TLC completely changed the game. Their music gave a voice to women everywhere, empowering them to be confident and unapologetic. But this isn’t just a story about the music; it’s about the sisterhood between these women and what kept them together through both unimaginable challenges and chart-topping success.”
Subscribe to the official website HERE for updates and FANMAIL about the project!
Are you looking forward to seeing ‘CrazySexyCool: The TLC Musical’?
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
Leon@TLCArmy
TLC-Army.com 