TLC’s T-Boz and Chilli get real about Left Eye’s legacy, lazy lesbians, and life after Usher.
By Brandon Voss
Let’s get one thing straight, gossip hounds: Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas of Grammy-winning supergroup TLC are not replacing the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in their new UPN reality show, R U the Girl With T-Boz & Chilli. Instead, bouncing back from the tragedy of losing their partner in a 2002 car crash — not to mention very public bouts with illness, heartbreak, and bankruptcy — these sexy-cool ladies (who are currently being styled by designer Kara Saun from Project Runway) will crown a new R&B; princess in the season finale and release a greatest hits album featuring two fresh jams. I recently caught up with the Hotlanta duo by phone for some good old-fashioned girl talk.
HX: What are you two up to today?
T-Boz: I’m at home — A-T-L, baby!
Chilli: I’m in my kitchen, eating — my most favorite thing to do.
Are you a good cook?
C: Yeah, I throw it down. All the women of TLC can cook. Tionne does this no-bake cheesecake, and it is so good.
T: She makes a mean peach cobbler.
Y’all are making me hungry! So tell me about R U the Girl.
C: We agreed to do the show on one condition: That we’re not looking for a new member in the group. But people still think that’s what the show is about. We’re looking for a girl who is multi-talented — great personality, ability to sing, rhyme, write, produce, dance — we call it a triple threat. Whoever the winner is will record with us on our new single and perform with us in a live concert at the end of the show. And we’re gonna get her a record deal. As a matter of fact, I cannot wait until you hear our new single.
Well, give me a sneak preview.
C: It’s called “I Bet,” and it’s about a relationship that’s over but you gotta change all of your phone numbers because your ex is still trying to get in touch with you. It’s so fly.
Have you been with a lot of guys who can’t take a hint?
T: Oh, hell yes! I’m like, “Hello? I said it was over! What the hell is wrong with you?” You know how we are — we like to talk about you.
Does the winner of the show have to be a black girl?
C: No! Child, TLC appeals to everybody. When we were on tour, you could sometimes count the black people in the audience. Girls just relate to us, period. And guys happen to like us, too, because we alright on the eyes, you know — we cute. [Laughs.]
Did any lesbians audition?
C: Yeah, this one girl — let me tell you, she scared me. I thought it was a dude. Her hair was really short and she had on layered white T-shirts — she kind of looked like Kriss Kross. When we told the girls to do their thing, she just stood there! So I stopped the music and was like, “What’s wrong?” And she was like, [deep butch voice] “I’m tired.” I said, “You can go on out that door right now. There’s too many people up in here that’s confident, and you’re not, so peace out.” She was just a trip.
After Lisa’s death, you both said in interviews that you didn’t feel as though TLC could go on as a duo. What’s changed?
C: At that time we were not given time to grieve. Lisa passed away, all of the sudden everyone wants a statement from us and we can’t even hold a conversation for more than five minutes without breaking down. We did mean it when we said we would never look for a third member, but as for not going on — we were very emotional. As time goes on, you can see things more clearly. And then you get fans coming up and saying, “We want you to make music again, we really miss TLC!” That means so much to hear.
Can we expect solo albums from you both in the future?
C: I’m currently working on a solo project with Missy [Elliott] as an executive producer. I’m real excited because I’m such a fan of Missy.
T: I haven’t done my deal yet, but I got about six songs written, so my album’s half-finished.
I can’t wait! Now, can I get real with you, Chilli?
C: Yes, you can get real with me.
After you date a guy as hot as Usher, how are you not spoiled for life? And won’t other guys worry that they can’t stack up?
C: I don’t see him the way you guys look at him. Even when we first started dating I wasn’t a fan like that. I respected him as a musician, but I wasn’t like, Oh, my god, I’m dating Usher! I was never on his jock like that, period. He’s just a regular guy. If a man is really secure with himself, he won’t look at it like that, either. And if it was all that, then I think we would still be together. But we’re not.
Do you have any new romance scoop for me?
C: I don’t. It’s sad. There are so many dime-a-dozen guys out there, and I don’t want to date a guy who’s just like everyone else. I haven’t met anyone special yet, but I really need him to come and find me!
Are you getting out of the kitchen and hitting the clubs?
C: I don’t really like going to clubs. I’ve been out lately only because Missy has had her album release parties, and she’s been like, “Chilli, you gotta come!”
Mmm-hmm, I knew Missy would be a bad influence.
C: [Laughs] Just to show support! Other than that, forget it.
You got a man, T-Boz?
T: Oh child, I’m still going through a divorce [from rapper Mack 10]. But I will be single one day soon!
It’s all about paperwork, huh?
T: Hello! I’m not really looking, but I hope someone will fall in my lap or som’in. I don’t care what they job is, but they have to do something because I don’t want to be taking care of no grown-ass man. But guys are scared to talk to me — they just stare at me.
By the way, how’s your battle with sickle cell anemia?
T: I’m doing great! I’ve been out of the hospital for a long time, and I’m so happy. I’m a trooper — I ain’t going nowhere.
And please tell me you finally got yourselves some cash.
T: [Laughs] No, we’re not going down that road anymore. You ain’t gotta worry about us ever being broke again.
HX, July 2005.