In honor of the 10th anniversary of the death of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, surviving TLC members Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas and Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins recently sat down with Essence Magazine and paid tribute to their friend, who tragically passed away on April 25th 2002 in a car crash in Honduras.

The ladies of TLC — who are also celebrating their 20th anniversary as a group — also talked about an upcoming VH1 biopic and revealed details about an upcoming tour, and a new album featuring new music set to drop shortly after the release of the movie.

Check out the interview below:

ESSENCE.com: Today marks 10 years since we lost Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in a tragic car accident. What do you remember about that day?

T-BOZ: She died a day before my birthday. I remember everything. I was with security in my Porsche and I said to them, “I feel like I’m going to get in a wreck and I want to go home.” The driver said: “Well, that’s on the other side of town.” I didn’t care; I wanted to go home. I just felt something was going to happen to me, but it wasn’t me — it was Lisa. I was sitting in a rocking chair in my daughter’s room after putting her down when I got a call from Chilli. She was screaming. I had just gotten out the hospital from fighting sickle cell so I had to be careful about getting upset. Everybody was trying to keep me calm.

I remember staying up all night and Patti Labelle and Missy Elliot calling me. Whitney Houston was at Lisa’s funeral. She sat behind me and rubbed my shoulders for two hours, while telling me, “It’s going to be okay, it’s going to be all right.” Right before that, I remember Lisa played a trick where she went missing and nobody knew where she was. This was the one time I wish she was joking and doing one of her stunts, but she wasn’t.

ESSENCE.com: People playfully identified her as the crazy one in the group because of the notable fire in 1994, among other things. What’s the biggest misconception about Left Eye?

T-BOZ: That’s the part that sucked. The fire could’ve even been stopped if they stopped acting like little girls and put the fire out. That really could’ve been settled differently. I just really wish people would’ve known her for the sweet passionate person she really was. She was very creative, too. I remember I was in the hospital for four months and she sent me a clock that she made and the clock read: “Take all the time you need.” She really put thought into things.

CHILLI: People didn’t understand how much of a heart she really had and how passionate and giving she was. She might have come across as someone who wanted to start trouble all the time, but that wasn’t it; she just had a lot to say. Sometimes when you speak what’s on your mind — I’m talking everything on your mind, and people can get a misconception of you. So because she spoke her mind, all of the time, it caused people to misjudge her.

ESSENCE.com: A lot of people believe TLC was feuding when Left Eye passed. What was your relationship like at the time?

CHILLI: It was actually very good; we had started working on the last album. We all had solo deals. I was just like, “We have to do another record” — I was willing to put everything on hold. That was the last time we got to spend quality time together before she passed. The relationship was good; she was acting silly again, playing pranks on people. Her death was very devastating for us, but I can look back and say I was happy about what our relationship was like, at that time.

T-BOZ: No matter what, everyone will go through a disagreement — that’s what makes us all different. So it’s unrealistic to tell anybody that we all agreed with everything that everyone did or said. That doesn’t happen in a real relationship. At the time, she just didn’t agree with what the record company was doing with the project, so she felt strong about standing up about it. It had nothing personal to do with the group members. I didn’t have a problem with that.

ESSENCE.com: Tell us about the VH1 biopic. Are you looking to have someone in Hollywood play you guys, or all new unknown actresses?

T-BOZ: It’s going to have to be new kids; I can’t think of anybody that can play us. It’s not just about looking like me or dressing like me, you have to have the attitude, the dance moves. The writer of the biopic, Kate Lanier, is amazing. She did the movies Set It Off and What’s Love Got to Do With It. Hopefully the movie will be out before the end of the year.

CHILLI: It’s going to be like a movie-of-the-week on VH1. You know how the Jackson Five have the movie The Jackson Five: An American Dream? It would be like that. I love how they still show the Jackson Five movie now; they will show that for the next 40 years. [Laughs] I’m really excited about it; this was a dream of mine. I knew that we would have a movie about us one day. I want to go for someone unknown to play us. I really would prefer to reach out and find someone that resembles us and who really has the acting chops and who can dance.

ESSENCE.com: When you think of TLC’s legacy, what are you most proud of?

T-BOZ: You know how now it’s easy for Black people to make it on pop radio… Back then it was hard. Michael Jackson was probably one of the first Black people to get on MTV and VH1 and then TLC “Waterfalls” was probably the second, it was so hard. I remember getting flowers for making it on MTV and then a special gift for making it on VH1 — that was like a big deal! We had to bust our butts to get on a show. When I say we broke records and I worked for mines, I worked for mine! We had to work for every last single thing.

CHILLI: From the beginning to the middle and we’re not at the end yet but I loved that we never compromised our values when it came to the subject matter and what we talked about in our songs and how we represented ourselves as women. Starting out as young women, we didn’t care that people thought that we were a fad or if people thought we didn’t dress girly enough — we were just like, “Whatever.” We were able to accomplish that with three totally different girls, in a group.

ESSENCE.com: Are we going to get another TLC album or a 20th anniversary tour?

T-BOZ: Yes, we’re going on tour; we are in negotiations now with LA. Reid, so we’ll see what happens. A lot of cool things are coming up.

CHILLI:Another TLC album? Yes, that’s for sure! We’ll have new music right after the movie drops. We have everybody that was there with us from the beginning on board. We’ll definitely have a tour; I just don’t know what we’ll call it yet.

[Essence.com]

Tyrese and Rozanda “Chilli” Thomas heat up the screen together in Tyrese’s new video for “Nothing On You,” a single from his new album “Open Invitation.”

“There’s only so many women out here that have this natural beauty thing going on. I think Chilli’s beauty and her innocence and energy is timeless,” Tyrese told Global Grind. “She has a very sweet and a very reserved energy about her that’s just really, really special. I’ve known her for years but, we’ve never done anything together.”

He continued, “I was just sitting down and it hit me. Chilli! I want to use her for my video, and I moved on it and she showed up, you know. She showed up in a major way.”

Check out the video below:

Legendary R&B group TLC reunited during the American Idol finale Wednesday night (May 25). And the remaining group members T-Boz and Chilli put on quite the show as they, along with the female finalists, performed a medley of their timeless hit singles, including “No Scrubs” and “Waterfalls.”

Check out the girls doing their thing for the Idol crowd below:

Chilli is back with another season of her VH1 reality series “What Chilli Wants.”

Since the first go-round didn’t go according to plan, the 40-year-old R&B singer is at it again, and this time she’s looking for not only the “perfect man,” she’s also, according to the press release, on the hunt for a “potential husband and father.”

Peep the 3-minute teaser trailer below!!

The first episode of the second season of “What Chilli Wants” premieres at the top of next year on January 2nd on VH1.

The 2010 Soul Train Awards were held Wednesday night (Nov 10) in Atlanta Georgia, and Black Star Power was in full effect on the purple carpet!

Faith Evans, Chilli (and her new man?), Ginuwine & his wife Sole, Chrisette Michele, hosts Terrence Howard & Taraji P. Henson, Eric Benet, Bobby Valentino, Jeremih, Rick Ross, DJ Khaled and more walked down the purple carpet and posed for pics before making their way into Atlanta’s Cobb Energy Center for the show, presented by BET and Centric.

Check out 25+ pictures from the Soul Train Awards red carpet below!!

The 2010 Soul Train Awards are set to air on TV on November 28th. Check your local listings for details…

The 2010 BET Awards went down Sunday night (Jun 27) live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and the red carpet was full of black star power as celebrities like Ciara, T.I. (who brought along his entire family), Keri Hilson, Nick Cannon, John Legend, Diddy, Carmelo & Lala, Nicki Minaj, Brandy, the Black Eyed Peas and more arrived in style at the 10th annual show.

Check out 40+ pictures from the BET Awards’ red carpet below and when you continue reading…

The 2010 VH1 Hip-Hop Honors went down Thursday (Jun 3) in New York City and featured guest appearances and performances from Jermaine Dupri, Bow Wow, Drake, T.I., Fabolous, Nelly, Gucci Mane, Missy Elliott, Kelly Rowland, Lauren London and more.

This year’s show honored the Dirty South Hip-Hop movement. Check out 20+ pics from the 2010 VH1 Hip-Hop Honors, set to air this coming Monday (Jun 7) at 9 pm, below and when you continue reading…

Hip-Hop elite honored the dirty south Thursday night (Jun 3) at the 2010 VH1 Hip-Hop Honors. Held in New York City at the Hammerstein Ballroom, the VH1 Hip-Hop honors was hosted by actor/comedian Craig Robinson and honored Dirty South Hip-Hop Legends like Jermaine Dupri, Master P, Uncle Luke and more.

Celebrities who walked the red carpet before the big show include Keri Hilson, Brandy, Ray J, Chilli, Mystikal (and his pregnant girlfriend), Taraji P. Henson, Rick Ross, Slim Thug, Kelly Rowland, Trina and more.

We have 20+ pictures for you to check out below and when you continue reading…

New mom Christina Milian hung out with her girlfriends last late last night and here she and her girls can be seen on their way out of the Hollywood Roosevelt in California early this morning (Thurs. May 13).

Former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Niecy Nash and her dance partner Louis Van Amstel were spotted as they made their way into ABC studios earlier today in New York City. Despite being eliminated from the show this week, Niecy looked to be in good spirits.

LL Cool J stopped for a quick picture outside of ABC studios in Manhattan, New York City today before heading about his way following an appearance on “The View.”

R&B singer Toni Braxton signed autographs for a few fans outside of BBC Radio Two Studios over in London, England yesterday (Wed. May 12). The 8-time Grammy winner is promoting her new album Pulse in Europe. Pulse is Toni’s first album in five years.

Singer Kelis looked “fur”-ocious as she exited BBC Maida Vale studios in London Wednesday following an appearance on “The Live Lounge.” Se’s also in Europe promoting her new project. Flesh Tone, Kelis’ first album in four years, is due to be released in the UK next Monday (May 17). US fans will have to wait until July 6th for the new album to drop.

Singer turned reality TV star Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas from legendary the R&B group TLC showed off her custom handbag bearing her son Tron‘s picture while out and about in Beverly Hills Tuesday afternoon (May 11). You can catch Chilli weekly on her new VH1 reality series “What Chilli Wants.”

Still in heavy promo mode for her new movie “Just Wright,” actress Queen Latifah was spotted arriving at (left) and leaving (right) the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City Tuesday for an appearance on David Letterman.

Pop singer Britney Spears was spotted on the set of a new commercial for Candies Tuesday in Santa Monica, California.

Jennifer Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony were seen walking hand in hand as they went shopping together at the Pucci boutique while on vacation in St. Tropez Monday (May 10).

And funnyman Marlon Wayans was spotted after grabbing a few items at the grocery store in Los Angeles on Mother’s Day (Sun. May 9).

R&B singer Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins of the platinum selling group TLC turned 40 last Monday (Apr 26) and celebrated her birthday with V-103 Atlanta radio personality Frank Ski at the Havana Club. Her group mate and BFF Chilli came through and partied with her and Frank, who turns 45 this coming Sunday (May 9). Check out 10+ pictures (via the homie FreddyO) of T-Boz, Chilli and Frank Ski partying it up at the Havana Club in Atlanta below…

MORE PICS @ FREDDYO.COM

One of the biggest selling girl groups of all time are back at it again! After the loss of their beloved Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes back in 2002 from a car crash in Honduras, the remaining members of the highly successful trio we know and love as TLC decided to their musical careers a break in 2005.

But Rozanda “Chilli” Thomas and Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins recently picked up their mics and performed a charity event for Justin Timberlake in Las Vegas. And now, the duo is reportedly documenting their comeback to the music scene with a new VH1 reality series. The groups’ longtime manager and friend Bill Diggins will direct the currently untitled television series for TLC, which will air sometime in March of 2010.

TLC’s reunion comes just three years after Watkins underwent major surgery to remove a non-cancerous brain tumor. She suffered a series of speech, sight and balance complications after the operation, not to mention the painful headaches, and has still yet to regain her full health but she says it will take way more than that to stop her!

“To this day, the headaches are unbelievable… But if that’s all? No problemo… I’m doing a solo album, and I want to tour. I have to see if I can do it. I’m still here. It will take way more to stop me.”

It looks like Justin Timberlake called in the big guns all in the name of charity. TLC, Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg and Ciara all performed live in concert in support of Justin’s benefit for Shriners Hospitals for Children at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino Saturday night (Oct 17) in Las Vegas.

Producer/rapper Timbaland and country music sensation Taylor Swift also performed at the second annual “Justin Timberlake and Friends” benefit concert.

Actress Terri J. Vaughn and singer Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas attended Terri’s private birthday party in Atlanta Saturday (Aug 29). Also in Atlanta on Saturday night, Ludacris hosted an event at Straits (his restaurant) and Keshia Knight Pulliam and Tommy Lee came out. And Q-Tip and Solange posed for a pic backstage at “Long Live the King! A Birthday Celebration for Michael Jackson” that same night at the Nokia Theatre in New York City.

We also have recent pictures of Meagan Good, M.I.A. and more all attending events in various location this past weekend. Continue reading to check them out!

Actress/singer Christina Milian attended the premiere of her “Bring It On: Fight to the Finish” movie Friday (Jul 31) at at the 10th New York Latino Film Festival, rapper Young Jeezy celebrated his partnership with Belvedere Vodka in NYC later that night, and actress Vivica A. Fox celebrated her birthday in Toronto Saturday night (Aug 1).

Continue reading for brand new pics of Fabolous, Pharrell Williams, Chilli and more attending various events throughout the weekend!

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES / WIRE IMAGE

R&B singer Chilli of TLC fame has signed with VH1 to star in her very own reality show about her search for love. Chilli will have help from Tionna Smalls, a relationship expert, while she searches for a mate.

Also, rapper Pepa of the hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa has also landed a deal with VH1 for her own reality show where she also will be looking for love after being celibate for four years. According to the NY Daily News, Pepa will meet with 3 of her single closest friends over brunch each week to discuss both the highs and lows of the past week.

“These are women that our audiences know. They’re attached to them, they know their music, and they’re both women you can root for,” Jeff Olde, executive vice president of original programming and production for VH1 said. “But the shows are different. The Pepa show, I think, gives us a window into the real conversations women have about their lives and relationships. With Chilli, it’s breaking down why this gorgeous, successful woman is still single and pushing her to try new things and push her boundaries.”

SOURCE: NYDN

Doesn’t sound too interesting to us. We’d rather see TLC try for a comeback and have a reality show about that. Will you be watching?

Tyson Beckford stopped for photogs on his motorcycle as he cruised through the streets of Manhattan Tuesday afternoon. Nice ride Tyson!

Keri Hilson was all dougied up Tuesday rocking her Jeremy Scott Adidas as she left the Energy Radio Station in Munich, Germany. Dope kicks! Oh and peep the “side boob” action going on in her blouse.

Kim Kardashian was looking fine as usual as she arrived at LAX airport in Los Angeles Tuesday.

Singer Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas was spotted as she left a dinner at Mr. Chows Restaurant Tuesday night in Beverly Hills.

Actor/comedian Chris Tucker was spotted as he made his way to Staples Center for  Monday night’s Los Angels Lakers vs. Utah Jazz basketball game in LA.

Chris and his son Destin Tucker took a pic at the game.

The paps caught a noticeably sad Rihanna as she touched down in Los Angeles Monday afternoon via LAX Airport after spending some time with friends and family in her native country Barbados. You think she could be a little tired of the cameras and the media being all up in her Kool-aid?

A dark-haired Angelina Jolie was spotted on the set of her new movie Salt as she made her way to the set Saturday, which was an NYC subway station.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES // NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCATION  // WENN // BAUER GRIFFIN ONLINE

Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas stopped for a picture at the Dasani Ultimate Style and Beauty Lounge at Townhouse Spa Friday afternoon in New York City. The TLC singing superstar is the face of Dasani’s new campaign recognizing hard working African American Women. She along with the famous Coca Cola bottled water brand hosted the spa day, which recognized Girls Inc. and Dress for Success for their support of women through a variety of positive, image-building programs. BET’s Debra Lee and musician Teyana Taylor also attended the event.

Debra Lee (right), chairman and CEO of BET Holdings, Inc. and Bethann Hardison (left), a legend in the fashion industry and founder of Black Girls Coalition, were both honored for their work with empowering young women.

PHOTOS: WIRE IMAGE

38 years old and still got it! And damn it, she could get it too! Peep these brand new pics of R&B singer Chilli showing these young chicks how it’s done in her latest Derek Blanks photoshoot. The C in TLC, who is also the new face of Dasani water by Coca Cola, will be hosting something called “The Dasani Ultimate Style and Beauty Lounge,” where African American women will be given the opportunity to recharge in a relaxing atmosphere designed to provide a quick escape from the daily challenges of life. (Urban Mecca)

Continue reading for more pics from the D Blanks shoot!

Props: Necole Bitchie

PHOTOS: DEREK BLANKS

Singers Monica and Maxwell stopped for a photo backstage during the BET Networks’ 2009 Upfront media presentation, where they announced 4 brand new shows in addition to a new entertainment and music channel called CENTRIC. The presentation, held at the Nokia Theatre in New York Thursday night, featured special appearances by Mary J. Blige, Mo’Nique, MC Lyte and more.

According to several announcements made at the event, Monica will be getting her own “docu-drama” (aka reality series) titled Monica: Still Standing and Mo’Nique has her own nightly talk/variety show. No word on when the new shows will be premiering yet, but continue reading for more photos from the media event.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES / FREDDY O