Chilli Talks Beauty Secrets, Dating and What’s Next for TLC

On some days, I feel like I have the best job ever. Those days usually involve a call to interview my favorite artists and beauty mavens like Rozonda “Chili” Thomas of supergroup TLC. Like anyone who grew up in the 90s, TLC stayed in my tape and CD rotation. Now, songs like “Hat 2 The Back,” “Baby, Baby, Baby,” “What About Your Friends,” “Creep,” and “Waterfalls,” have become timeless, treasured favorites of mine.

The group, which includes Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez transformed music by empowering women, encouraging them to be independent and teaching them to have sex responsibly. They were the epitome of crazy, sexy and cool. And did I mention beautiful?

Needless to say, it was a great honor to interview Chilli as she prepares for the Roots of Nature “Picture of Strength” event in Los Angeles this Saturday. I was pleased to find that Chili was as humble, silly and down-to-earth as she seemed when dancing and laughing with T-Boz and Left Eye in videos. P.S. I know I’m not the only one that wanted to hang out with them growing up!

I was even happier to get the scoop on her beauty secrets (seriously, the girl doesn’t age), her dating life, her future plans in the music biz and what’s next for her career. Read on.

Glamazon Jessica: Fans love you for your beauty look as much as your legendary hits with supergroup, TLC. What products do you rely on to keep your natural hair healthy and beautiful?

Chilli: One thing I’ve realized about natural hair is you need moisture. That’s the key. You have to find a product that really hydrates the hair. Drinking a lot of water helps that also.

Glamazon Jessica: You’re hosting the Softsheen-Carson “Picture of Strength” event in Los Angeles, which is making a donation to “A Place Called Home” for every attendee. Why did you choose to be a part of the beauty and charity event?

Chilli: Well, as far as the charity is concerned, anything related to kids and helping them reach their goals and challenging them to be great, I want to be a part of. I love being a part of things like that because that’s what I’m all about. We need more places like that for kids to be able to go and get that kind of attention because most times, they’re not getting it at home. And when kids don’t get the proper love and attention they really need, they act out. Unfortunately, they don’t excel in class and they do all kinds of things that aren’t good. I feel they don’t want to do it deep down but it brings attention even if it’s not the right type. This program is amazing and needed everywhere.

Glamazon Jessica: People joke that you haven’t aged at all since you came on the scene. How do you keep your skin ageless, flawless and glowing?

Chilli: (laughs) It’s a combination of things. One, I don’t drink or smoke. I drink water and milk. I’ll have some tea on occasion but water and milk is what I drink all the time. And I do those things you’re supposed to do: wash your face in the morning and at night. I exfoliate. I get my chemical peel treatment once a month. It’s really about exfoliation, getting that dead layer of skin off. And really try to drink as much water as you can to flush out all the impurities.

Glamazon Jessica: I follow you on Twitter and last weekend, you tweeted about eating habits. How do you stay in such great shape? What foods do you stay away from?

Chilli: People on twitter ask me all the time, ‘What should I do?’ And instead of telling them, I ask ‘What do you think you should you take out of your diet?’ and they tell me. And I say ‘Well, that’s your answer.’ We all know but we need that extra push. When you choose to live longer and healthier, you make those changes. Take care of your temple and it’ll take care of you. As far as food, I don’t do a lot of bread, refined sugar or fried foods.  And of course, I don’t eat pork (laughs). Sometimes I break down and go to Rahim’s in Atlanta. It’s the best fried fish I’ve ever had in my life. Other than that, I stay away from those foods.

Glamazon Jessica: That’s hard for me. I love fried foods. I eat them all the time.

Chilli: Really? You have to be careful because of that high cholesterol, girl. It’s so bad.

Glamazon Jessica: You’re right. I’m trying to cut back, I’m trying. So you’re planning some 20th anniversary concerts with T-Boz for this summer. It’s awesome that your music is relevant and popular two decades later. Did you ever imagine that would happen when you were recording?

Chilli: Two decades! When you say it like that, I’m like Oh my god! (laughs) It’s just a blessing all across the board to accomplish what we have and to have worked with great producers and writers who came up with timeless music. And thank God for the generation that grew up with us because they exposed our music to their kids…like the same thing I did with my son with Michael Jackson and other artists I love. I’m thankful to those parents for doing that. It’s funny to me that young kids know my music. That always trips me out.

Glamazon Jessica: How do you guys plan to commemorate Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopez at the concert?

Chilli: We always incorporate her on huge screens and everytime her rap comes up, you see her. We come up with creative things to make it different for the fans. And when they see her face, they go crazy.

Glamazon Jessica: That’s awesome. Any plans for new music with T-Boz, or as a solo artist?

Chilli: Not necessarily as a solo artist but Tionne and I are working on stuff together. Really, everything is geared toward the 20^th anniversary. I do work on separate things but I’m kind of enjoying the TV world myself for now.

Glamazon Jessica: I’m glad you mentioned TV because I want to talk about your show. “What Chili Wants” became an instant hit on VH1 and everyone wants to know: what’s the update on your dating life? Are you still seeing any of the guys from the show? Are you single?

Chilli: (laughs) Umm…hmm. Well, I’m not dating Raphael. Such a shame, such a shame, but you have to make decisions. That’s a very difficult question. (pauses) I’ll tell you this, I’m not in love. Not even a little bit.

Glamazon Jessica: Are you doing another season of the show with VH1?

Chilli: I don’t know if I want to do that again. But I had a great time doing it. Obviously, TLC fans got a chance to see us in interviews and stuff. When those same fans saw my show, that my standards are high and that I encourage men and women to be that way too, they weren’t surprised because TLC was about that.

Glamazon Jessica: I agree. Were you happy with how you were portrayed on the show?

Chilli: Yeah. A lot of people probably did not understand why my standards are high. Or they’d say I’m too picky. I thought that was funny because when you experience a low point in your life, you don’t think you deserve the best. Some people are in that place and put that same way of thinking on you. What I try to do is encourage and uplift them. You deserve the best. Give someone your best and that’s how it should be.

Glamazon Jessica: Did you change your outlook on dating and men at all? Would you accept a guy without a 6-pack now?

Chilli: When I put the list out there, it was a combination of needs and wants. I know exactly what my needs are. The wants are where I can compromise. A man’s character, faith and how we love—obviously, I’m not going to bend on that because those things are important to me. Would I date a man with a beer gut? I’m sorry, I can’t do it. Nothing personal against beer bellies, but no. I’m going to pass on it.

Glamazon Jessica: You’re appearing in the upcoming VH1 dramedy called “Single Ladies” with Stacey Dash and Lisa-Raye. Is more acting in your future?

Chilli: I hope so. I had so much fun with everyone on the set. All my scenes were with Lisa-Raye and she was fantastic to work with. Hopefully, I can do more stuff with them. And yes, I’d love to do more acting.

 

 

Don’t you just love her? If you’re lucky enough to be in LA this weekend, be sure to stop by the Roots of Nature “Picture of Strength” event that Chilli is hosting. There will be complimentary hair styling by SoftSheen-Carson celebrity stylists, mini-makeovers by Maybelline New York makeup artists and a free family portrait from professional photographers. Best part? For every attendee, Softsheen-Carson will make a donation to A Place Called Home, a non-profit organization that provides educational, recreational and mentorship to at-risk youth in South Central Los Angeles.

And shop these finds from the line which are great for natural and relaxed hair, especially the Strengthening Oil:

 

 

Kisses,

Glamazon Jessica