TLC’s Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins hospitalized after sickle cell crisis, drops out of shows

TLC’s Tionne Watkins is taking a step back from the stage as she recovers from a medical emergency.

The singer, who performs under the stage name T-Boz, is currently on the road with fellow TLC member Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas as part of the “It’s Iconic” tour, alongside Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue.

Recent videos show Thomas, 55, taking the stage solo, later revealing that Watkins, 56, was absent from the performance due to a sickle cell flare-up, according to USA Today.

Thomas addressed the crowd during a recent show, saying, “I want to ask each and every one of you to help me hold her down tonight. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding. This is T-Boz.”

Watkins’ rep also provided an update on her health Wednesday in a statement to the outlet.

“Tionne recently experienced a sickle cell crisis that required hospitalization, and she is currently recovering and regaining her strength,” the statement read. “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 statement continued, “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.”

In August 2024, TLC was similarly “forced to cancel” shows in Syracuse, New York, and at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut due to a “medical emergency.”

A statement posted to the girl group’s Instagram account at the time said Watkins had experienced “sudden and severe nausea, vomiting and intense abdominal pain” after arriving in Syracuse for their show.

Watkins was later diagnosed with a “severe abdominal blockage” after being evaluated by doctors, who also confirmed that she did not have food poisoning.

The statement said she was advised to remain in the hospital “under medical supervision” following her diagnosis.

Following her hospitalization, some people online questioned whether Watkins’ health scare was linked to Ozempic use.

The “No Scrubs” vocalist addressed the speculation in a video posted the Instagram, pushing back on the assumption that she had been taking the popular weight-loss drug.

“Everybody and every celeb ain’t on Ozempic,” she said. “The ignorance is disheartening to me because I would just pray for people, or if I have nothing to say, I would just shut the hell up and say nothing at all. But y’all don’t know how to f–king do that.”

Watkins also clarified that the abdominal blockage she experienced was caused by “scar tissue” on her outer intestine from a surgery she underwent 24 years ago.