Tionne Tenese Watkins, also known as "T-Boz," was born on April 26, 1970, in Des Moines, Iowa, to parents of African American and Native American descent. She was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia at a young age, a disease affecting 1 in 12 people of African American descent.
Growing up, Tionne faced numerous hospitalizations due to her condition. Despite this, she pursued her passion for music, performing at local skating rinks and eventually becoming a hair model, manicurist, and shampoo girl at a popular Atlanta salon.
In 1991, Tionne was discovered by stylist and friend Perri "Pebbles" Reid, who introduced her to Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Crystal Jones. The trio formed the R&B/Hip-Hop group TLC, initially named 2nd Nature, and later renamed TLC by Reid. Crystal Jones was replaced by Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, and the group began recording.
TLC's debut album "Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip" was released in 1992 and certified quadruple-platinum by 1996. The album's success was followed by "CrazySexyCool" in 1994, which featured two Billboard Hot 100 number one singles and earned the group two Grammy Awards.
Tionne's sickle cell condition was revealed during the first album's tour with MC Hammer, and she was hospitalized for two weeks. The group modified their tour schedule to accommodate her needs, and Tionne eventually went public with her disease.
TLC's subsequent albums, "FanMail" in 1999 and "3D" in 2002, continued their upward trajectory of success, despite internal strife and the death of group member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.
Tionne married rapper Mack 10 in 2000 and had a daughter, Chase Anela Rolison, born in 2000. However, the couple divorced in 2004 after Tionne filed for divorce and requested a restraining order.
In 2005, Tionne and her partner opened a children's boutique called Chase's Closet, which unfortunately closed down in 2008. In 2006, Tionne was diagnosed with a potentially deadly brain tumor, which affected her sight, balance, hearing, and facial movement.
Motivated by her need to live for her daughter, Tionne underwent successful surgery, but spent three years rehabilitating. She has since become an advocate for sickle cell disease and a spokesperson for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.
Tionne has been recognized as one of the "50 Most Beautiful People of the World" by People Magazine twice, in 1995 and 2000.
