Rozonda Thomas biography
Date of birth : 1971-02-27
Date of death : -
Birthplace : Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
Nationality : American
Category : Arts and Entertainment
Last modified : 2011-10-20
Credited as : TLC, VH1's Single Ladies, Usher
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Thomas was first a dancer for Damian Dame. In 1991, she joined TLC, replacing founding member Crystal Jones, and was nicknamed "Chilli" so that the group could retain the name TLC. The group went on to sell over 65 million records worldwide and became the second best selling group in the world and first in the US girl groups of all-time.
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, and are currently planning a possible new album and a possible tour.
Thomas began working on her solo album in 2001 after the completion of promotion for TLC's third album, FanMail. She ceased production when work began on the next TLC album, 3D. In 2006, rumors of having signed a four-album deal with singer/rapper Akon's label Kon Live Distribution in 2006, she later denied these reports and confirmed that she was entertaining offers from other record labels. It was confirmed that the name of the album would be titled Bi-Polar, but due to scheduling conflicts and constant delays, the album was shelved.
The album was once rumored to include work by Missy Elliott as well as tracks produced by T-Pain, and Tricky. Certain tracks that were intended for the album were leaked from 2006 to 2008. A track titled "Gameproof," which featured her TLC band mate T-Boz, was leaked in spring 2006. On February 16, 2007, "Straight Jack," a track featuring Missy Elliott and produced by Polow da Don was leaked. The track entered the Deutsche Black Chart in at #35.
In early April 2008, Thomas's first official solo single, "Dumb, Dumb, Dumb" was released.No further singles have been announced or leaked. The album has now been shelved, and Thomas said via Twitter she may release the songs that she recorded for the album on her website. She also stated she will never do another solo album again. But she is currently signed to major label Interscope Records.
Thomas made guest appearances on shows such as The Parkers, That 70s Show, Living Single and Strong Medicine. In 2000, she was featured in the made-for-television movies A Diva's Christmas Carol and Love Song (with Monica), and in the film Snow Day and Hair Show. In 2001, she co-starred in the action film Ticker, directed by Albert Pyun. She also played a small role in the 1998 film Hav Plenty. In 2011, Chilli made cameo appearances throughout the first season of VH1's Single Ladies (TV series).
In June 2009, VH1 announced the airing of a reality series starring Thomas. The series, What Chilli Wants, which documents Thomas' quest to find love and manage her life with the help of love and relationship expert Tionna Tee Smalls, premiered on April 11, 2010. The second season of What Chilli Wants premiered on January 2, 2011.
At age 20, she became pregnant by producer Dallas Austin. Due to career aspirations, and the outside pressures, she elected to have the pregnancy terminated; on her show, What Chilli Wants, she would reveal having regretted the decision.
Thomas and Austin continued their relationship, and would later become the parents of a son, Tron, born on June 2 in 1997.
Following Thomas' breakup with Austin, she became involved with singer Usher Raymond (and was featured in his music videos for "U Remind Me" and "U Got It Bad.") The couple broke up in January 2005. She also markets a line of handbags titled, Bags by Chilli.