TLC’s Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins has been noticeably absent on several recent dates of the It’s Iconic tour due to what the group said was an acute “sickle cell crisis” that sent the 56-year-old rapper to the hospital.
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On Thursday (Sept. 3), TLC addressed the missed gigs in a statement on Twitter, writing, “We want to thank everyone who has reached out with prayers, love, and concern for Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins,” it read. “As many people know, Tionne has lived with sickle cell disease throughout her life. When she experiences a sickle cell crisis, the recovery period can vary and may take days or weeks.”
While the statement didn’t address how long the “No Scrubs” MC —who was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia as a child —will be off the road, or how many shows she’s missed, it said that she is “improving each day” and that her current condition is not considered life-threatening. According to the Cleveland Clinic, sickle cell crisis is a “common, painful” complication of sickle cell disease that occurs when sickled cells build up in a blood vessel and cause a blockage. The blockage keeps oxygen-rich blood from reaching tissues and organs, causing painful symptoms that could require brief hospitalization.
TLC is on the road this summer on the It’s Iconic tour with Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue. Fellow original TLC bandmate Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas —third member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes died in a car crash in April 2002 —addressed T-Boz’s absence during an Aug. 28 show at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.
“Obviously my sister is not here right now. She has sickle cell,” Chilli said in an emotional fan-shot video from that date. “I think most of you know all the stuff that goes on with TLC, but when she has, you know, an episode —which is what’s happening right now … But she’s so much better, and I want to ask each and every one of you to help me hold her down tonight. So, thank you in advance for your support and understanding.”
A group spokesperson told USA Today in a statement that T-Boz was recently hospitalized and is recovering and “regaining her strength … Because the It’s 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.”
The X statement from the group continued, “Her health and recovery remain our highest priority. Tionne looks forward to returning to the tour when she is fully recovered and medically cleared to perform,” also noting that Chilli will soldier on performing on the remaining dates until T-Boz can rejoin the outing. The message also mentioned that September is sickle cell awareness month, with the group asking fans to stand with that community and learn more about the disease or give blood if you are able; for more information on sickle cell disease click here.
The next stop on the It’s Iconic tour is on Tuesday (Sept. 8) at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago; the tour is currently slated to wrap up on Oct. 11 at the Toyota Pavilion at Concord in Concord, Calif.
Check out the full statement below.
