Chilli Speaks Out as T-Boz Battles Sickle Cell Crisis, TLC Tour Put on Hold
October 13, 2026
There are fans who still attend TLC concerts, and those attendees were dismayed to learn that the group that once dominated the pop charts was canceling tour dates due to T-Boz’s health.
During an Oct. 9 stop on the “It’s Iconic” Tour, which also features En Vogue and Salt-N-Pepa, Chilli explained T-Boz’s absence and asked fans to show support for her longtime bandmate.
“Some of you may not know that my group member, T-Boz, has sickle cell disease,” Chilli said. “Sometimes, you have a crisis, and she did this time. She’s taking the very necessary time she needs to get back to 100 percent.”
Chilli added that she would continue performing in her absence.
“I’m going to continue to hold it down for my sister,” she said. “Tonight, I’m going to ask each and every one of you to help me hold it down for her.”
Fans first noticed T-Boz’s absence during an Aug. 28 performance in Connecticut. Days later, TLC manager Bill Diggins confirmed that the singer had been hospitalized because of sickle cell complications.
“When she experiences a sickle cell crisis, the recovery period can vary and may take days or weeks,” Diggins said in a statement. “Her health and recovery remain our highest priority.”
T-Boz, whose real name is Tionne Watkins, has lived with sickle cell disease since birth. She previously discussed her prognosis on Good Morning America, revealing that doctors once doubted she would live past 30.
“I was told at 7 years old I would never live past 30,” she said. “I would be disabled my whole life and never have kids. But I traveled the world in TLC. I’ve worked with Michael Jackson.”
The final stop of the “It’s Iconic” Tour was scheduled for Oct. 11 at Toyota Pavilion in Concord, California. It remains unclear whether T-Boz was medically cleared to perform.
Danielle Brooks
I am a staff writer at New York Beacon, where I focus on culture, entrepreneurship, and the emerging voices redefining Black America. My work highlights innovators, artists, and founders whose stories often unfold beyond mainstream headlines but shape communities in meaningful ways. Through precise reporting and thoughtful storytelling, I aim to document progress, challenge narratives, and contribute to a stronger Black press tradition.
