Rozonda Thomas

Thomas was born in Columbus, Georgia and graduated from Benjamin Elijah Mays High School in 1989.{{Cite web|url=http://allamericanspeakers.com/speakers/406447/Rozonda-"Chilli"-Thomas|title=Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas Biography|website=AAE Speakers|access-date=September 9, 2019}} Her father, Abdul Ali, is of Indian Bengali and Arab descent,{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/chilli-vol-45-no-18/|title=Chilli|date=May 6, 1996|website=People|access-date=August 29, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/lifestyle/culture-plus-entertainment/musicians-south-asian-roots-heritage-up-and-coming/|title=On The Rise: 10 Musical Artists With South Asian Roots|last=Abida|first=Sakina|date=March 24, 2022|website=Prestige|access-date=March 18, 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvinsider.com/people/rozonda-thomas/#biography|title=Rozonda Thomas|website=TV Insider|access-date=March 18, 2025}} while her mother, Ava Thomas, is African American and Native American descent.

Thomas, who had been raised by her mother, later allowed the Sally Jessy Raphael television talk show to air footage of her meeting her father for the first time in 1996, when she was 25.{{cite news |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,20611,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010211125455/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,20611,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 11, 2001|title=The Spicier Girls|author=Christopher John Farley|access-date=February 4, 2008 |year=2008 |publisher=Time magazine }}

When she was a child, her great-grandmother, whom she called Big Mama, took her to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.{{Cite web|url=https://www.back2basicsmag.com/chillistruth|title=Chilli's Truth|website=Back2Basics Magazine|access-date=September 9, 2019}}

{{Main|TLC (group)}}

Thomas was first a dancer for Damian Dame. In 1991, she joined TLC, replacing founding member Crystal Jones, and was nicknamed "Chilli" by Lisa Lopes so that the group could retain the name TLC. The group went on to sell over 65 million records worldwide and became the best-selling American girl group of all-time; only the Spice Girls had sold more.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=tblTopArt|title=RIAA Top 100 Certified Artists|website=riaa.com}} Chilli has won four Grammy Awards for her work with TLC.{{cite web|title=Grammy.com|url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=tlc&title=&year=All&genre=All|access-date=May 16, 2012}}

In the spring of 1995, Thomas appeared and participated in the track "Freedom (Theme from Panther)" first appeared on the soundtrack to Melvin Van Peebles' movie Panther as TLC, along with SWV, Xscape, En Vogue, Jade, Brownstone and others.

Since the death of group member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes in April 2002, Thomas and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins have occasionally performed as a duo. In 2009, Thomas and Watkins performed a series of concerts in Asia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/06/rosen-on-the-tentative-return-of-tlc.html|title=Rosen on the Tentative Return of TLC|website =vulture.com|date=June 5, 2013 }}

In late 2011, VH1 announced plans to produce a biopic on TLC to air in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://blog.vh1.com/2011-12-01/vh1-announces-plans-for-scripted-tlc-bio-pic/|title=VH1 Announces Plans To Produce A New TLC Movie|author= |access-date=November 16, 2024|date=December 1, 2011|publisher=VH1|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20111202043705/http://blog.vh1.com/2011-12-01/vh1-announces-plans-for-scripted-tlc-bio-pic/|archive-date=December 2, 2011}} Thomas and Watkins signed on as producers. Actress and singer Keke Palmer portrayed Thomas in CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/10/14/showbiz/tlc-movie-new-music/index.html|title=TLC returns with 'CrazySexyCool' movie and music|website=CNN|date=October 14, 2013|access-date=September 10, 2019}}

In 2019, Thomas lost her voice and was ordered by doctors not to sing. TLC then had to cancel their singing for the California State Fair and the Stanislaus State Fair.{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/celebrity/tlc-cancel-two-dates-after-chilli-loses-her-voice/ar-AAEmOvV|title=TLC cancel two dates after Chilli loses her voice|website=msn entertainment|access-date=September 10, 2019}}

File:93.5 Throwback Bash with TLC @ TD Echo Beach (29926444905) (cropped).jpg

Thomas began working on a solo album in 2000 after the completion of promotion for TLC's third album, FanMail (1999). She paused production when work began on the next TLC album, 3D (2002). In 2006, it was reported that she had signed with Akon's record label Konvict Muzik and that her debut album would be released the following year, but this never came to fruition.{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=2006-11-14 |title=TLC's Chilli Inks With Akon's Konvict Muzik |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/tlcs-chilli-inks-with-akons-konvict-muzik-56663/ |access-date=2023-09-17 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} In early April 2008, Thomas's first official solo single, "Dumb, Dumb, Dumb" was released.[http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur42430.cfm CHILLI'S NEW SINGLE HAS 'INK' ALL OVER IT: Written by Cri$tyle, 'Dumb, Dumb, Dumb' sparks controversy.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411222214/http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur42430.cfm |date=April 11, 2008 }} In 2012, she performed a track called "Flirt" on a second season episode of Single Ladies.{{Cite web|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=NOrXy8LXZ-w|title=Chilli - Flirt (2012)|website=Youtube|date=December 21, 2012 |access-date=July 1, 2013}}

In January 2016, she released the single "Body", which served to promote her fitness workout campaign.{{cite news |first=Katie |last=Atkinson |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/6843080/tlc-chilli-dance-workout-cize-beachbody-kickstarter-album |title=TLC's Chilli Debuts Solo Song 'Body' for New Dance Workout & Offers Kickstarter Album Update |newspaper=Billboard |date=January 13, 2016 }}

Thomas has made guest appearances on television shows such as The Parkers, That 70s Show, Living Single and Strong Medicine. In 1992, she had a brief cameo in the music video for "Jump" by Kris Kross. In 2000, she was featured in the made-for-television movies A Diva's Christmas Carol and Love Song (with close friend Monica), and in the film Snow Day. In 2001, she co-starred in the action film Ticker, directed by Albert Pyun. She also played a small role in House Party 3 and the 1997 film Hav Plenty.

In 2005, Thomas and Watkins starred in the reality series R U The Girl.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/ydy7cv/tlcs-t-boz-chilli-announce-details-of-their-reality-show|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021021734/https://www.mtv.com/news/ydy7cv/tlcs-t-boz-chilli-announce-details-of-their-reality-show|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 21, 2023|title=TLC's T-Boz, Chilli Announce Details Of Their Reality Show|website=MTV|access-date=September 3, 2019}}

In June 2009, VH1 announced the airing of a reality TV series starring Thomas. The series, What Chilli Wants, which documents Thomas's quest to find love and manage her life with the help of love and relationship expert Tionna Tee Smalls, premiered on April 11, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://blog.vh1.com/2009-06-29/more-sober-house-fit-club-pepa-and-chilli-on-the-way-from-vh1/|title=More Sober House, Fit Club, Pepa And Chilli On The Way From VH1!|date=June 29, 2009|publisher=vh1.com|access-date=October 19, 2009|archive-date=July 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727052434/http://blog.vh1.com/2009-06-29/more-sober-house-fit-club-pepa-and-chilli-on-the-way-from-vh1|url-status=dead}} The second season of What Chilli Wants premiered on January 2, 2011.{{cite web|author= |date=March 24, 2023 |url=http://www.singersroom.com/news/5816/Chilli-Granted-Second-Season-Shot-At-Love |title=Chilli Granted Second Season, Shot At Love |publisher=Singersroom.com |access-date=November 16, 2024}} In 2011, Thomas made cameo appearances throughout the first season of VH1's Single Ladies. In 2012, Thomas appeared as the leading lady in R&B singer Tyrese's music video for his single "Nothing On You".

In 2013, Thomas became a member of "Team Guy" on the second season of Food Network's Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off. She appeared naked in a PETA anti-circus ad campaign.Brett Malec,"[http://www.eonline.com/news/484969/tlc-s-chilli-strips-for-peta-s-anti-circus-campaign-see-the-wild-and-sexy-pic TLC's Chilli Strips for PETA's Anti-Circus Campaign: See the Wild and Sexy Pic],"EOnline, November 25, 2013. Thomas also appeared on episode 14 of WWE Countdown where she spoke about The Rock.{{cite episode | title=WWE Countdown | series=1 | network=WWE Network | airdate=June 10, 2014}} Thomas was later a judge for truTV's reality series Fake Off, which premiered on October 27, 2014.{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2014/06/11/fake-off-judges/|title=Harry Shum Jr., Chilli, and Michael Curry to judge new truTV series 'Fake Off'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=September 3, 2019}}

In 2017, she portrayed Zora Neale Hurston in Marshall, a biographical film about the life of Thurgood Marshall.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-marshall-review-20171012-story.html|title=Review: 'Marshall' delivers the heroic bio-pic treatment Thurgood Marshall deserves|website=Los Angeles Times|date=October 12, 2017|access-date=September 3, 2019}}

At age 20, Thomas became pregnant by producer Dallas Austin. Due to career aspirations and outside pressures, she aborted the pregnancy. She later revealed that she regretted the decision. Thomas and Austin continued their relationship and later had a son, Tron Austin (born June 2, 1997).{{Cite web|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=DzhSztiPG4U|title=MY ABORTION REGRET - TLC's "Chilli"|website=Youtube|date=February 18, 2012 |access-date=July 1, 2013}}

In 2001, Thomas began dating Usher, after she starred in his music videos for "U Remind Me", "U Got It Bad", and "U Don't Have to Call". Their relationship ended in 2003.{{Cite news |last=Muhammad |first=Latifah |title=Chilli Opens Up About Usher Split|publisher=BET|url=https://www.bet.com/article/eeq6fy/chilli-opens-up-about-usher-split|access-date=May 18, 2015}}

In late 2022, Thomas began dating actor Matthew Lawrence. The pair went public with their relationship in January 2023.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/music/tlc-chilli-and-matthew-lawrence-are-dating/

|title=TLC's Chilli and Matthew Lawrence Are Dating: 'She Is Glowing,' Says Singer's Rep|last=Juneau|first=Jen|date=January 3, 2023|website=People|access-date=January 5, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/tlc-chilli-matthew-lawrence-havent-had-argument-exclusive-7505956|title=Chilli and Matthew Lawrence Haven't Had an Argument Since They Began Dating Last Year|last=Rubenstein|first=Janine|date=May 31, 2023|website=People|access-date=July 22, 2023}}

On March 4, 2024, Thomas became a grandmother after her son's wife gave birth to a daughter.{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/chilli-is-a-grandma-son-tron-austin-and-wife-jeong-welcome-baby-girtl-8557705|title=TLC's Chilli Is a Grandma! Son Tron Austin and Wife Jeong Welcome Baby Girl: 'Dream Come True'|last1=Andaloro|first1=Angela|last2=Sacks|first2=Hannah|date=March 4, 2024|magazine=People|access-date=March 18, 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/tlcs-chilli-becomes-a-grandmother-after-son-tron-austin-welcomes-first-child-with-wife-jeong-220943|title=TLC's Chilli Becomes a Grandmother After Son Tron Austin Welcomes First Child With Wife Jeong|last=Seemayer|first=Zach|date=March 4, 2025|website=Entertainment Tonight|access-date=March 18, 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2024/03/04/tlc-chilli-grandmother-son-tron-baby/72840909007/|title=TLC's is officially a grandmother to a baby girl|last=Ushe|first=Naledi|date=March 4, 2024|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=March 18, 2025}}

She is a member of the Granite Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church.{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazingfacts.org/news-and-features/news/item/id/20282/t/chilli-from-tlc-meets-the-batchelors-|title=Chili From TLC Meets The Batchelors!|last=Kellner|first=Mark|date=March 26, 2018|access-date=September 30, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.eewmagazineonline.com/inspiration/2019/10/9/digital-evangelist-how-chilli-of-tlc-shares-her-christian-faith-online|title=Digital Evangelist: How Chilli of TLC shares her Christian faith online|last=McKinney|first=Taylor|date=October 9, 2019|website=EEW|access-date=June 26, 2023}}

Thomas and the other members of TLC were big proponents of encouraging safe sex. For the music video of the song, "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" Thomas and her band members wore condoms on their clothing. In 2003, Thomas and Watkins teamed up with Agouron Pharmaceuticals to create a national education program about HIV/AIDS. The program supplied people with information about HIV/AIDS, including prevention and treatment.{{Cite web|url=http://www.borgenmagazine.com/iconic-trio-tlc-providing-time-love-and-care-to-the-world/|title=TLC Providing Time, Love and Care to the World|last=Varner|first=Jeff|date=June 20, 2015|website=Borgenmagazine.com|publisher=The Borgen Project|access-date=April 3, 2016}}

In 2012, Thomas started a non-profit organization called Chilli's Crew. The organization is an Atlanta-based program targeted at helping girls between the ages of 13 and 17 build healthy levels of self-esteem.{{Cite web|url=https://enchantedpublicrelations.wordpress.com/2013/06/19/chillis-crew-foundation-hosts-2nd-annual-summer-camp-sponsored-by-beachbody/|title=CHILLI'S CREW FOUNDATION HOSTS 2ND ANNUAL SUMMER CAMP SPONSORED BY BEACHBODY®|last=Clark|first=Ashley|date=June 19, 2013|website=Enchantedpublicrelations.wordpress.com|publisher=WordPress|access-date=April 3, 2016}}

In 2013, Thomas took a stand against cyberbullying after her son Tron was a victim. The gossip site MediaTakeOut.com targeted Thomas's son because of his apparel and questioned his sexuality. In response, Thomas created a petition through change.org to get the article deleted from the site and to stop staff members from gossiping about minors entirely. In her petition, she described what cyberbullying is and statistics about some of the victims. The site ended up removing the article and issuing an apology to her son.{{Cite web|url=http://theboombox.com/chilli-cyberbullying-son/|title=Chilli Takes Stand Against Cyberbullying After Son Is Targeted|last=Josephs|first=Brian|date=November 4, 2013|website=Theboombox.com|publisher=The XXL Network|access-date=April 3, 2016}}

In 2018, Thomas became the face of DAYO casual wear.{{Cite web|url=https://madamenoire.com/1050181/chilli-is-new-face-of-dayo-women/|title=Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas Is 'Lounging In Love' For Female-Run Fashion Loungewear Company|last=Sharee|first=Toya|date=December 2, 2018|magazine=MadameNoire|access-date=May 6, 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://theatlantavoice.com/tlc-chilli-becomes-the-face-of-dayo-loungewear-collection/|title=TLC's Chilli becomes the face of DAYO loungewear collection|last=Porter|first=Sierra|date=December 15, 2018|newspaper=Atlanta Voice|access-date=May 6, 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://rollingout.com/2019/01/25/chilli-becomes-face-of-yolanda-whites-dynamic-dayo-casual-wear-line/|title=Chilli is the face of Yolanda White's DAYO casual wear|last=Shropshire|first=Terry|date=January 25, 2019|website=Rolling Out|access-date=May 6, 2025}}

{{See also|TLC discography}}

• "Dumb Dumb Dumb" (2008){{cite web|title=CHILLI'S NEW SINGLE HAS 'INK' ALL OVER IT: Written by Cri$tyle, 'Dumb, Dumb, Dumb' sparks controversy|url=http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur42430.cfm|date=April 11, 2008|website=eurweb.com|access-date=January 21, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409092107/https://eurweb.com/story/eur42430.cfm|archive-date=April 9, 2008}}
• "Body" (2016){{cite web|title=Body – Single by Chilli|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/0vQrEFpW7yQ401ykgxATMi|access-date=January 21, 2025|website=Spotify}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb name|id=0859475}}

{{TLC (group)}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Rozanda}}

Category:1971 births

Category:20th-century African-American women singers

Category:20th-century American women singers

Category:20th-century American singers

Category:21st-century African-American women singers

Category:21st-century American women singers

Category:African-American actresses

Category:African-American television personalities

Category:American contemporary R&B singers

Category:American film actresses

Category:American mezzo-sopranos

Category:American people of Indian descent

Category:American people of West Asian descent

Category:American Seventh-day Adventists

Category:Arista Records artists

Category:Epic Records artists

Category:Interscope Records artists

Category:LaFace Records artists

Category:Living people

Category:Musicians from Columbus, Georgia

Category:Participants in American reality television series

Category:TLC (group) members