NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 11: Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins of TLC performs during DJ Cassidy's Pass The Mic Live! at Prudential Center on May 11, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
A representative for TLC provided an update on T-Boz following her hospitalization and missed concerts on the “It’s Iconic Tour” with Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue. The singer has sickle cell anemia and was recently hospitalized for a flare-up while on tour.
TLC representative Christal Jordan gave a health update on T-Boz amid her recent hospitalization and missed concert performances.
The artist, whose real name is Tionne Watkins, is reportedly recovering, according to USA Today. Jordan added that TLC’s Chilli would perform solo while T-Boz recovers.
“Tionne recently experienced a sickle cell crisis that required hospitalization, and she is currently recovering and regaining her strength,” the TLC rep said. “Because the Its Iconic Tour is such an interactive show, we made the decision to continue, with Chilli performing and receiving incredible support from Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue, and most importantly, the fans.”
Sickle cell anemia is a disease in which misshapen red blood cells affect the hemoglobin molecule, blocking blood flow to the body. Symptoms include sudden onset episodes of severe pain, chronic pain, stroke, lung problems, infections, eye problems, and kidney disease, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. An episode is also known as a crisis.
Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas performed solo at a Connecticut show on August 28. In a video shared on TikTok, Chilli told the audience that T-Boz was getting better. She also asked fans to “hold her down.”
“So, obviously, my sister is not here right now, she, um, she has sickle cell,” Chilli said. “She’s so much better… I’m going to ask each and every one of you to help me hold her down tonight.”
Jodeci singer Dalvin DeGrate, also known as Mr. Dalvin, shared a video on Instagram on Tuesday, September 1, asking fans to pray for the ‘Waterfalls‘ artist.
“Hey, what’s up, everybody? I just wanted to ask everybody to just take a second to pray for our dear friend, T-Boz from TLC,” he said. “We know that she has crises sometimes… She’s my dear friend…. Im asking you, everybody, under the sound of my voice, to ask God to touch her and heal her, um, that she may have a speedy recovery…. We all love you, and we all appreciate you.”
The video was shared with the caption:
“Praying for u @therealtboz
we love u dearly #God1st #snakekilla #mrdalvin #jodeci.”
