TLC’s T-Boz Steps Back From Touring to Focus on Her Health

Fans may have been getting their entire lives during the “It’s Iconic” tour featuring TLC, Salt-N-Pepa and special guests En Vogue. However, recent health news about TLC member Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins has fans praying and hoping for the best.

It was announced that the singer won’t be returning to the tour for a handful of shows as she recovers from a sickle cell flare-up. As a result, fellow group member Chili will continue to take the stage alone until T-Boz has recovered.

The group’s manager confirmed the news in a statement to social media.

Related: FDA Approves Sickle Cell Treatment, But Will Things Actually Change For Black Patients

“At this time, Tionne is improving each day, and her current condition is not considered life-threatening. Her health and recovery remain our highest priority,” the statement read in part. “Tionne looks forward to returning to the tour when she is fully recovered and medically cleared to perform. Chilli will continue to perform each night until Tionne is able to rejoin her on stage.”

The manager went on to thank fans and followers for their prayers and support during a difficult time and encouraged fans to educate themselves about the disease as September marks National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. In light of the news, other celebs, including Jodeci member Dalvin, singer Vedo, Eric Bellinger, Tameka “Tiny” Harris, and more, have sent prayers and well wishes to T-Boz and her family.

“Praying for u @therealtboz  we love u dearly ,” Dalvin captioned a post on Instagram asking others to stand in the gap for the beloved singer.

According to the CDC, sickle cell disease (SCD) affects about 100,000 people in the United States, with non-Hispanic Black or African Americans making up more than 90 percent of those affected. As we previously told you, sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes a protein in the red blood cells, called hemoglobin, to mutate.

The red blood cell becomes “sickle” shaped, restricting blood flow and causing severe pain and even early death. In the United States, sickle cell disease is primarily found in Black Americans. Approximately one in every 365 Black babies born in the United States suffers from the disease.

However, there is some hope when it comes to the prognosis of those affected. In June 2026, a young Black man was cured of the disease thanks to recent, FDA-approved gene-editing tools that “permanently alter a patient’s own stem cells,” eliminating the need for traditional bone marrow transplants from matched donors.

So while T-Boz continues to recover, here’s hoping she and others suffering from the disease can gain access to the treatment soon.