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?
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
Our thoughts are prayers go out to our beloved queen and fighter, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins of TLC. The legendary icon has recently been diagnosed with an abdominal blockage, which required a short stay in the hospital.
Whilst Ms Watkins recovers from the condition, it was necessary for two of the TLC concert dates at the New York State Fair on August 23, and the Foxwoods Resort Casino on August 24, to be postponed for the time being.
TLC simultaneously released a statement on social media along with the concert promoters addressing T-Boz’s sudden health crisis.
“After delivering an electrifying performance in Toledo, Ohio, on Thursday, TLC was eagerly anticipating their next stop at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. However, shortly after arriving in Syracuse, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins experienced sudden and severe nausea, vomiting, and intense abdominal cramps. She was immediately seen by a doctor and subsequently taken to the hospital for further evaluation”, the statement said.
“Last evening, Tionne was diagnosed with a severe abdominal blockage, necessitating the cancellation of both the Syracuse and Foxwoods performances. She remains in the hospital under medical supervision but is expected to be released tomorrow. The doctor verified that this was not food poisoning, but an abdominal blockage”.
TLC live at the Wolf Trap, July 2024
The statement continued, “Tionne deeply regrets having to cancel these shows and apologises to all of her fans and the event promoters. The decision to cancel was made under the advisement of her physician, who required her to stay in the hospital overnight to undergo a CT scan to assess the severity of her condition.”
The statement concludes by revealing that TLC is committed to rescheduling the postponed shows and apologize to fans who have to travel from a long distance to attend the show.
Flo Rida went on to perform in place of TLC at the New York State Fair, whilst Shaggy continued the concert as a solo act at the Foxwoods Casino.
T-Boz assured fans in a message posted to Instagram that she’s “on the mend” and expressed deep regret over the cancellations. “This was just one of those unexpected things that I had no control over,” she shared. “I look forward to making it up to you all.”
T-Boz also set the record straight with a naysayer, implying that TLC was no longer capable of touring without T-Boz getting sick. “WTF are you even talking about? Please go somewhere else with that bullshit! My health has been just fine! What happened to me has happened to MANY and has nothing to do with sickle cell… it can happen to anyone. “
T-Boz continued with specific reasoning for her abdominal symptoms, “It had to do with scar tissue from a 24 year old surgery while having my daughter! So, you’re NOT my doctor, and you have no idea what you’re talking about! You sound crazy as f… if I can’t do it, I won’t. You see, the show was cancelled. It’ll be rebooked, and I’ll do it healthy and move on like you should move on… and we’re not on tour. It was a spot date.”
Sean Farnsworth, a spokesperson for the New York State Fair, said that the fair hasn’t received word from TLC about a rescheduled performance, but with Suburban Park booked for the rest of the fair, it’s unlikely they would get an opportunity for one. “It’s an unfortunate situation,” Farnsworth said. “We wish T-Boz a quick recovery.”
TLC previously performed at the New York State Fair in 2022, and drew one of the 25 largest crowds in NYS Fair history with 30,000 people at what was then called Chevy Park.
Prior to the concert cancellation, TLC were able to put on a sensational performance in Toldeo, Ohio on August 22!
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!
Leon@TLCArmy
TLC-Army.com 