Musical

Appearance, Interview, Lifestyle, News, Television

Chilli Reveals She Needs to Be Married Before Considering Having More Kids and T-Boz Has Never Seen Her So Happy Since Dating Matthew Lawrence

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TLC were special guests at the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2023 last night at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where they were there to introduce Latto to the stage to put on a phenomenal performance.

During the red carpet press before the awards ceremony, T-Boz and Chilli spoke to numerous media outlets about their excitement being at the ceremony as well as touching on details of what they are doing in their careers this year. “It’s always exciting to see your peers and the new one’s coming up”, Chilli told Billboard.

T-Boz still keeps her ears locked to the music scene for the latest talent, and she approves of the upcoming girl group FLO from the UK. “I like them, I just didn’t know that was their name”, T-Boz admits after hearing that the group recently dropped a new single, “Fly Girl” featuring Missy Elliott.

TLC with Lenny Kravitz at the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2023

When Extra asked Chilli about how her relationship is going with her boyfriend Matthew Lawrence, she gushed with a big smile, so T-Boz stepped in to answer on her behalf. “It’s been great!”, T-Boz exclaims. Chilli adds, “Amazing!” before letting T-Boz continue explaining.

“I’m living vicariously through her. It’s been great, and I’ve never seen her like this, and I’ve been there for 31 years!”, T-Boz states. “I’ve seen it all, honey. We’ve been through life together”. Chilli co-signs with her TLC sister and says, “Yes! She’s seen it all, and we’re still going through it. But I am so happy, I don’t even know what to do with myself. But he is the best — for me, anyway!”

Earlier this month, Chilli clarified her thoughts about the headlines when Matthew stated that he wanted to start a family with her one day. Speaking about the topic on the Ryan Cameron Uncensored radio show, Chilli said, “You never know. I would never say that [I’m done] — I gotta be married for sure … and I’m not married, yet”.

Matthew Lawrence and Chilli Thomas attend a dinner party to celebrate Lifetime Black Excellence March 09, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images)

Matthew later cleared up the miscommunication with E! News. “Joe [Matthew’s brother] and I were commiserating about this plan that we had to have children together … when we were growing up. And I missed the first go around and now he’s starting a new family and I was thinking, ‘Man, it’d be great if we could do it again when I didn’t have the chance to raise a family together. So that’s what I meant by that,” he continued. “I didn’t mean to put any pressure on somebody I was dating or anything.”

Chilli set the record straight with E! News this week, saying, “First of all, we’re not currently trying to have a child,” she exclusively told E! News at the Dolby Theatre in an interview. “We’re not married yet so we’re just very happy and growing in our relationship.”

But for the record, Chilli says this relationship is not your average romance.

“I’ve dated, but this cancelled out everything,” she shared before looking at her longtime friend Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins. “She knows.”

T-Boz went on to deliver her seal of approval of Chilli’s main man and even expressed hope that her close friend and “sister” will get married one day in the future.

“Matthew’s a special one,” she explained. “I know my sister so he’s special. Trust! Matthew, you better know.”

T-Boz and Chilli explain why their upcoming Lifetime/A&E documentary, ‘TLC Forever‘, was so important to them. “It means a lot [to us], we put a lot of work in to this group for almost 31 years, so it’s about time people hear a real story — coming from us”, T-Boz says. “And we are here to tell it ourselves”, Chilli adds. “And we’re not gone, so no one can take it and ruin it”, T-Boz concludes.

“A lot of people have tried to tell our story — the wrong story. All these opinions and everybody’s five seconds of fame did not mean a thing, just a whole bunch of lies”, T-Boz says. “It’s time that people hear it from us. Honestly, it’s a story of trials, tribulations, and triumph. Because that’s what we’ve done.”

On the topic of new music, TLC reminds us that they are still working on their Broadway musical, which may include some new music. “We are working on our musical, and we know that may need some new music from us, and we’re working on some television shows that may also require us to get back in the studio”, Chilli explains. “It’s a big deal, it really is”, T-Boz adds. “It’s a blessing, and once again we’re here to tell it, they way that we want to do it”.

TLC are heading back on tour this summer on the ‘Hot Summer Nights‘ tour with Shaggy, En Vogue and Sean Kingston, which kicks off in June. “That’s the time we get to showcase everything that the fans love about us, and we go far beyond the call of duty in rehearsals,” Chilli told PEOPLE. “We don’t play when it comes to that, getting routines together, everything. We love it.”

Tickets for the TLC ‘Hot Summer Nights’ tour are on sale now. Head to officialtlc.com for more info.

Announcement, Appearance, Interview, News, Tribute

TLC on Their Plans For New Music For Broadway Musical and Hopes of Working with Bruno Mars

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TLC blessed fans in the UK on Easter Sunday (April 17, 2022) with an exclusive interview on the Global based radio station Capital XTRA Reloaded to celebrate the stations ‘Legend Sessions’ with a special spotlight on Ludacris and the legendary TLC!

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas took a trip down memory lane with Mike Panteli to discuss their fashion statements from the early 90’s and how they got started in the group, the biggest-selling US girl group ever, with over 85 million albums sold worldwide!

“I think it was a shock to everybody, especially the way Left Eye was sitting up there [in the “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg” video] in that big bright hat in those bright colours”, T-Boz reminisces about their debut single setting new standards for female’s at that time. “I think we really grabbed people’s attention, with our sound, the look and the way we were dressed. I think we hit the scene at the perfect time, in the perfect way. I think we also made it posisble for people who already dressed that way to feel sexy and not feel like outcasts.”

TLC in 1992

Despite the music scene being heavily dominated by girl groups promoting ‘girl power’ in the late 90’s, Chilli reminds listeners that TLC were indeed the pioneers of girl power from the very beginning. “I think that people knew for sure that we were all about girl power”, Chilli reveals, “and just the way that we hit the scene in the way that we did opened the door for people like Spice Girls and Destiny’s Child“.

T-Boz and Chilli both spoke about their musical upbringing (they both grew up wanting to be stars, but not necessarily in a group), and say that one of the unique thing’s about TLC is how neither of them sound like each other, and they are like three solo artists packaged into one supergroup. “I can sing T-Boz’s parts, but I won’t sound like her”, Chilli laughs. “[T-Boz] can sing my parts, but she won’t sound like me, and we can both rap Lisa’s parts, but we won’t sound like her. So, each girl has her own thing that is so different”.

TLC stand out from the crowd not just because they sing memorable, catchy songs, but because of the unique lead vocals of T-Boz in her deep, raspy tone. “Jermaine Dupri did our first demo and I did background vocals singing deep for Kris Kross“, T-Boz reveals. “He already knew the swag, but what he did do was tell me that I should keep that as my style. He was like, ‘you have a different style, you should do that as your thing’. I sang deep for my audition for my manager at the time, Ian Burke, that’s how he knew I could sing deep”.

The success of TLC went from strength to strength after the debut album. Chilli said she was relieved that they didn’t suffer from the ‘sophomore jinx’ when they released their second album, ‘CrazySexyCool‘ in 1994, which went on to sell over 12 million copies in the US alone and solidified the ladies as a serious group with huge longevity.

“Once the music video to “Waterfalls” was released, that’s when we started really selling [album units]”, Chilli admits. “Because that message [in the music video], people could really relate to it”. Arista boss Clive Davis initially didn’t have faith in releasing “Waterfalls” as a single, but the ladies were able to convince L.A. Reid (TLC’s label boss and owner of LaFace, a subsidiary label to Arista) to take a chance on it and he agreed to commission the multi-million dollar music video, with ground-breaking special effects at the time it was made in 1995.

Panteli dug into the ladies musical archives to find out what their first records were that they bought in their younger days. T-Boz reveals that Michael Jackson‘s “Off The Wall” was her first purchase, whilst Chilli’s selection was more surprising. “The first record that I asked my mom for was Queen “Another One Bites The Dust”, Chilli reveals. ” I wore that thing out! It had scratches on it and everything. She bought me this little record player with psychedelic lights on top when you open it. That was my first record”.

The legendary Prince is another artist that TLC were proudly associated with. T-Boz explains how she was able to work on the cover of his iconic “If I Was Your Girlfriend“. “I was in a nightclub and Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs came up to me and said he has a record that he has for his group Total but he wanted me to have it instead. His producer Chucky Thompson [who recently passed away, Rest in Peace] got together to work on it, and then we finished it off with Dallas [Austin]”.

Prince is notoriously protective of his work and rarely allows permission for artists to cover his work. Howveer, that rule did not apply to TLC! Prince was a huge fan of TLC. “I was so excited”, T-Boz exclaims, “because Prince has been known to say no to everybody, and he said yes to two songs, “Get It Up” (for the Poetic Justice soundtrack) and “If I Was Your Girlfriend”. People still to this day ask us, how did we get Prince to say yes, it’s because he loves us, that’s why!”

TLC have previously stated that they would love to work with Cardi B and Bruno Mars, and that is still applicable to this day. “Right now, I’d still like to have Bruno Mars”, Chilli admits. “I love him. We both love him equally. He is just phenomenal, all across the board”.

So, what’s next in the pipeline for TLC? Well, they have previously teased the production of a Broadway musical, the process has since moved along and made some progress and is closer to becoming a reality. “I’m really excited about the musical”, T-Boz says. “Now, we’re working with a writer and [deciding] on how we want the stage performances to go”.

There is also a chance that there will be some brand new TLC music produced for the project. “I think that we’re going to do some new music for that, mixed with the old”, T-Boz reveals. “I think that it will be something really different and interesting. Even though we have told VH1 stories, behind the scenes, we have just finished an A&E documentary which features stories that we have never told before. We have 30 years of stories to tell, so, why not tell it on Broadway, you know?”.

TLC will arrive in the UK this June as part of their European 2022 tour! Their show in London is now sold out, so get tickets to rest of the tour while you still can!

Tickets available at Livenation.co.uk and Ticketmaster.co.uk

Catch the replay of the Capital XTRA Reloaded TLC special HERE

Announcement, News, Tribute

Left Eye Stage Show “2 The Left” Available To Stream For The First Time

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This incredible one-woman show, ‘2 The Left‘, performed solely by talented actress Kerisse Hutchinson, returns to the spotlight this year with a very limited availability online to stream for the first time, courtesy of the Aurora Theater.

‘2 The Left’ is an inspiring music-filled, multimedia experience chronicling the life and spiritual journey of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, controversial member of the 90s pop music phenomenon, TLC.  This play with music focuses on a young woman of color and the challenges that she encounters as she embarks on a journey to find her artistic voice and purpose.  

‘2 The Left’ allows the audience to take a glimpse at the woman behind the legend and discover how her path might mirror our own. We reported on this amazing show when it was originally announced last year when it debuted in Atlanta. Recorded at the Aurora Theatre as part of its ‘Our Stage Onscreen’ series, the digital production will be available through until November 8, 2020.

Kerisse was so dedicated and determined to fulfil this passion for the role, that she took up an invitation to visit the USHA healing village in Honduras by Lisa’s brother, Ronald Lopes, to truly get a feel of who Lisa was and what she wanted to share with the world. “Kerisse took a moment out of her life to experience some of the things that Lisa experienced, to be able to tell a truer story about Lisa”, Ron says proudly.

Kerisse reveals that although Lisa’s story is bittersweet, it is full of depth, hope and insightful teachings that we can all learn from. “The bitter is removed when you realize that where Lisa’s journey ends, ours begins to be lived out more fully and boldly”, Kerisse says.

For a limited time, you can get a discount off the price for the show, by using the promo code TLCARMY on the website here.

Thanks to the Aurora Theatre!

 

Interview, Lifestyle

Chilli On Co-Headlining with Nelly, TLC’s Musical, Celibacy & ‘Girls Cruise’

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TLC is coming home to the ATL!

Chilli took a moment to talk to Melissa Ruggieri for AJC just days ahead of TLC’s second date in Atlanta, on their fourth national tour in 5 years, this time with the boys — Nelly and Flo Rida!

T-Boz and Chilli perform a fresh mix of their hits on July 24 at the Cellairis Amphitheatre in Atlanta. Find out what to expect on the latest tour, as well as celebrating album anniversaries, celibacy and more!

Q: You did the “I Love the ‘90s: The Party Continues” tour a couple of summers ago and now you’re heading out with Nelly and Flo Rida. Do you like these group tours and getting to hang out with other artists?

A: Because I’m an artist, I love it. When (TLC) first got started, we always did fun things together – with Boyz II Men, Destiny’s Child, Christina Aguilera. It makes for a fun tour. People get to see everybody that they love and it makes it more exciting. We’ve done a few tours with Nelly before, he was on (2015’s) “The Main Event” tour with us, and we did some shows together in Australia. But this is our first time working with Flo. He is the sweetest guy. He is so polite, always on time, his people respond so fast to email. He’s so professional, which is the way it should be, but it’s usually not that way. He’s very humble. I love people like that.

Q: Since the tour is just starting, do you know if there will be any interaction among the three acts during the show?

A: We thought about that and had some cool ideas before the tour started, but we couldn’t get anybody on board. We are creative and think outside of the box and everybody doesn’t always think like that, and that’s OK. We really did want to do something very different. It would have started a new trend. Maybe we’ll wind up doing it on another tour with someone else. But it’s all good. All of us are very blessed to have these great songs that people love and it means different things to them.

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Q: Where does TLC land in the performance lineup?

A: We’re co-headlining with Nelly, so we’ll take turns with closing. I really love the second spot (in a show) because everybody is in their seats and they’re energized. As it gets later and later you get tired and it’s hot. You’re still enjoying the concert, but it’s a lot different than an hour earlier.

Q: Atlanta is only the second date of the tour, so it will hardly feel as if you’ve left home.

A: It’s always nice to have your folks there. It makes me sing and dance a little harder.

Q: This is the 25th anniversary year of “CrazySexyCool” and 20th anniversary of “Fan Mail.” When you think back on those records, what comes to mind?

A: It is a blessing. There are a lot of amazing songs that are great for the moment, but they don’t have the lyrics to endure. When you make these songs when you’re recording them, you don’t know they have these legs – only time tells you that. We’re blessed to have a few songs like that…When I see the little girls out there who are, like, 8, and I tell you “No Scrubs” is coming, they are jumping up and down. I wish I could hold all of them and bring them on stage! I never get used it.

Q: It’s so cool to see everyone from Weezer (“No Scrubs”) to Bette Midler (“Waterfalls”) covering your work.

A: And Taylor (Swift) with “Unpretty” and even the coaches on “The Voice,” when they did “Waterfalls” (in 2017). It is such an honor to see that, especially when your peers respect you. It makes us feel good about the body of work.

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Q: What’s this Broadway musical you and T-Boz are working on?

A: (Laughs) I spilled the beans too soon on that! I thought I could talk about it, but I really can’t yet. It’s definitely something we’re currently working on, and it’s a process. But we’re very happy that we’re putting together a team and will be able to check that off the bucket list…The only people who know our story is us. I can sit down and share things with my friends, but it’s still not Tionne telling them, too. Only we can tell our story 100 percent.

Q: Tell me about the experience of being on “Girls Cruise”

A: It was actually a very pleasant experience. I would not have signed on to do something like that if it was going to be ratchet. We all love some ratchet TV sometimes, but I don’t want to be a part of anything like that! I spoke to Kim prior to agreeing to do it and I’ve always been in that family with Viacom, so it was nice to reconnect. There were some challenging moments, of course – it’s TV. But I think that the show is definitely something refreshing. You’re still getting reality TV, but it’s positive. We’re not cussing each other out, none of that stuff is going on. I would have jumped off that boat otherwise! I’d be like, I’m done. But it’s just positivity between women; you’ll see that exists, because what you usually see on TV is the complete opposite. We shot it in February. It was a gorgeous yacht. We had a whole team of people helping on the ship. It’s crazy! I was trying to help them!

Q: When did you make the life changes to be celibate and become so spiritual?

A: Honestly, I have gone back and forth through the years. When you know what’s right with the truth and you go against that…maturity can come at any age, and when you really get it, you say this important to me and my faith to God. It’s not easy. I’m a human being. But I put forth every effort to try to do the right thing. I feel really good when I do the right thing. It’s a great feeling. It gives you a different kind of strength that you didn’t know you had. We’re so used to getting into whatever that weakness is and then you give that temptation so much more power. I love sharing the knowledge, especially when it’s something healthy for you. I ultimately want everybody to become their best self. I’m not one of those Christians who’s like, you better read the Bible. It’s a different approach because people are in different places in their lives. The last thing I want to do is push someone away from the truth.