Post by Laurence Aikens

Rozonda Ocielian Thomas (born February 27, 1971), known by her stage name Chilli, is a singer, dancer, actress, television personality and model who rose to fame in the early 1990s as a member of the group TLC, one of the best-selling girl groups of the late 20th century. She was first a dancer for Damian Dame. In 1991, she joined TLC, replacing founding member Crystal Jones, and was nicknamed "Chilli" by Lisa Lopes so that the group could retain the name TLC. The group went on to sell over 65 million records worldwide and became the best-selling American girl group of all-time; only the Spice Girls has sold more. She has won four Grammy Awards for her work with TLC. Since the death of group member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, she and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins have performed as a duo. She and Watkins performed a series of concerts in Asia. It was announced plans to produce a biopic on TLC, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story. She and Watkins signed on as producers. She made guest appearances on television shows such as The Parkers, Single Ladies, That 70s Show, Living Single and Strong Medicine. She made a brief cameo in the video for "Jump" by Kriss Kross. She was featured in the made-for-television movies A Diva's Christmas Carol and Love Song, and in the film Snow Day. She co-starred in the action film Ticker and House Party 3. She played a small role in Hav Plenty. She made cameo appearances on Single Ladies. She and the rest of the members of TLC were big proponents of encouraging safe sex. For the music video of the song, "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" She and other band members wore condoms on their clothing. She and Watkins teamed up with Agouron Pharmaceuticals to create a national education program about HIV/AIDS. She started a non-profit organization called Chilli's Crew. The organization is an Atlanta-based program targeted at helping girls between the ages of 13-17 build healthy levels of self-esteem. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence