Die-hard TLC fans have been privy to all the behind-the-scenes drama about the best-selling girl group in the U.S. However, ahead of the iconic trio’s new documentary TLC Forever , which will premiere simultaneously on A&E Network and Lifetime, Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas is sharing that she was nearly kicked out of the group. During an exclusive interview with People , Chilli recalled the moment when she auditioned for the group in 1991. At the time, she was a dancer with LaFace Records’ first group, Damian Dame. She sang En Vogue’s hit, “Hold On” after which her now bandmate Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins dryly replied, “Oh, she’s pretty.” After proceeding to the next part of the audition — an onstage performance with T-Boz and the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes — their chemistry was “immediate.” Upon joining the group, Left-Eye gave her the nickname Chilli to save the group’s moniker TLC, which was formed from the initials of original members Tionne, Lisa and Crystal Jones. While recording...
