Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, 56, was noticeably missing during TLC’s concert in Mansfield, Mass on Aug. 30.
The group has been on their “It’s Iconic Tour,” featuring co-headliners Salt-N-Pepa and guest Ev Vogue, which kicked off on Aug. 15 in Franklin, Tennessee.
Unfortunately, T-Boz fell ill and was unable to take the stage with Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas on Aug. 30, after suffering a health scare.
Chilli spoke to fans that night, saying, “As you guys know, my sister T-Boz has sickle cell, you know that it’s not a secret, and sometimes those flare-ups come, and this is that time. So, I’m going to hold it down for my sister.”
Not much has been said since, despite an outpouring of concerning messages about T-Boz.
Christal Jordan, a rep for TLC, confirmed to Atlanta Black Star on Wednesday that T-Boz was hospitalized and is now recovering.
A statement read, “Tionne recently experienced a sickle cell crisis that required hospitalization, and she is currently recovering and regaining her strength.”
The rep acknowledged Chili and the undying support she received from hitting the stage solo.
“The love shown for T-Boz has been overwhelming. Hearing audiences sing her parts, lift her up in prayer, and surround TLC with so much love has meant more than we can express. Sickle cell is a serious illness, so we ask everyone to please keep the prayers coming as Tionne continues to recover. We are immensely grateful for the love and support.”
Chilli recently held it down for T-Boz by performing solo at their recent show in New York while T-Boz recovered from a sickle cell disease flare-up that forced her to miss the show, as TLC continues their “IT’S ICONIC” tour with Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue. pic.twitter.com/M44JXLmEmI
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) August 29, 2026
One concerned person shared, “We can’t loose another TLC member. Be well and trust in god.” The “No Scrubs” group member Left Eye died in a car accident in Honduras in 2002.
Another supporter commented, “T-boz is a champion that disease is no joke. I know someone who didn’t make it past 44.”
T-Boz was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia, a blood disorder that causes chronic pain, inflammation, and damage to the joints and organs, when she was 7 years old.
Doctors projected that she would not live past 30 years old. The platinum-selling artist wrote about her life in entertainment and living with the condition in her 2017 memoir “A Sick Life: TLC ‘n Me: Stories from On and Off the Stage.”
Additional well-wishes flooded social media when Joedici singer Dalvin DeGrate implored fans to pray for his longtime friend.
The two artists dated from 1993 to 1998, during the peak of their respective groups’ success.
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“I just wanna ask everybody to take a second and pray for our dear friend T-Boz, from TLC. She felt a little ill, and you know we know that she has crises sometimes, but I really want everybody to just take a moment and stand in the gap for her, let her know that she’s appreciated,” Dalvin said in a video.
The crooner continued, “She’s my dear friend, and I want everybody to just take a second to say a prayer for her, that God will heal her body and strengthen her, that she can return and, you know, do what she loves to do and be at peace and good health. … We all love you, and we all appreciate you, and get well fast.”
Among the reactions to the video is a response that read, “She will shake back, people are getting cured from that disease.”
In June, 23-year-old Daniel Cressy became the first person in Louisiana declared “functionally cured” of sickle cell after undergoing gene therapy.
Fans wish T-Boz well and look forward to her returning to the stage when she’s healthy. Some even suggested TLC rest and use their previous stunt doubles.
“They should get the ladies that portrayed TLC in the play at Arena Stage in DC. Use them as backup for emergencies like this. THEY WERE ALL GREAT. Especially the lady that played Left Eye,” a fan wrote.
“CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” premiered on VH1 in 2013, starring Keke Palmer as Chilli, rapper Lil Mama as Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Drew Sidora as T-Boz.
