TLC's T-Boz Battles Sickle Cell Crisis, Forces Tour Hiatus

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, a member of the iconic R&B group TLC, has been noticeably absent from several recent dates of the It’s Iconic tour. The group confirmed that her absence is due to an acute “sickle cell crisis,” which led to the 56-year-old rapper's hospitalization. TLC addressed these missed gigs in a statement posted on their Twitter (now X) account on Thursday, September 3.

The statement conveyed thanks to everyone who had reached out with prayers, love, and concern for Tionne Watkins. It clarified that Tionne has lived with sickle cell disease throughout her life, a fact many people are aware of. The group explained that when Tionne experiences a sickle cell crisis, the recovery period can vary significantly, potentially taking days or even weeks. While the statement did not specify how long the “No Scrubs” MC, diagnosed with sickle cell anemia as a child, would be off the road or the exact number of shows she had missed, it assured fans that she is “improving each day” and that her current condition is not considered life-threatening.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a sickle cell crisis is a “common, painful” complication of sickle cell disease. It occurs when sickled cells accumulate in a blood vessel, causing a blockage. This blockage prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching tissues and organs, leading to painful symptoms that may require brief hospitalization, as was the case for T-Boz.

During an August 28 show at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut, fellow original TLC bandmate Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas addressed T-Boz’s absence. In an emotional fan-shot video from that date, Chilli stated, “Obviously my sister is not here right now. She has sickle cell… 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.” (The third original member, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, tragically died in a car crash in April 2002.)

A group spokesperson also informed USA Today in a statement that T-Boz was recently hospitalized and is currently recovering and “regaining her strength.” Due to the interactive nature of the It’s Iconic Tour, the decision was made to continue the performances, with Chilli taking the stage and receiving significant support from Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue, and most importantly, the devoted fans. The X statement from the group reiterated, “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,” noting that Chilli would continue to perform on the remaining dates until T-Boz could rejoin the outing.

The group’s message also highlighted that September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, urging fans to stand with that community, learn more about the disease, or consider giving blood if they are able. The next stop on the It’s Iconic tour is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago, with the tour currently slated to conclude on October 11 at the Toyota Pavilion at Concord in Concord, California.