4 Reasons Why “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” is the Perfect TV Biopic

TLC, the best-selling female group in music history, return to the spotlight with a series of exciting events, including an album, a biopic, and a reunion performance, ushering in the next phase of the group’s illustrious career, which saw Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes sell 65 million albums worldwide and become cultural icons in the process.

On Monday, October 21^st, VH1 will premiere its scripted original movie CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, which was written by screenwriter Kate Lanier(What’s Love Got To Do With It, Set it Off) and directed by Charles Stone III (Drumline, Paid in Full), with Thomas and Watkins serving as executive producers.

The film, which chronicles TLC’s humble beginnings in Atlanta and unprecedented rise to fame in the ’90s, stars KeKe Palmer (Akeela & The Bee) as Chilli, Drew Sidora (Step Up) as T-Boz, and Lil Mama (America’s Best Dance Crew) as Left Eye, who died in a car crash in 2002.

Here are the top reason why this movie rocks:

1. Lil Mama as Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes

Everyone who doubted Lil Mama’s chops will be summarily put in check, everyone else will be mesmerized by her captivating portrayal of the outspoken songstress.

Don’t get me wrong the other cast members are talented and do their parts. Perhaps Left Eye’s source material is more dramatic…going from a struggling street musician to part of a girl group...struggling with alcoholism, a toxic relationship and arson. When she wasn’t a major source of friction in the group she was interested in exploring a more spiritual life spending time in Honduras (where she died in a car crash in 2002). Lil Mama seems to capture her spirit at every juncture.

2. Bankruptcy! They were everywhere, how could they be broke?

TLC made public their issues with bankruptcy via unfavorable contracts and general music industry shenanigans (I want to see/hear Pebbles reaction to the movie). Its not an uncommon story for any artist or group during the times of big record contracts to get screwed over and end up in debt. “Left Eye” does the math in a scene and it clears up any questions as to how they could be record breaking award winning artists and be broke. The lesson (and journey) of the girls learning their true value, and not just $, is inspiring.

3. Wardrobe

The outfits the girls wore in the movie were some of the original costume the group wore! So much 90’s fashion its like a box of Crayola exploded! When the group first started it was very much ROYGBIV brights in tomboy styles but as they grew up they got a little more grown & sexy.

Spoiler Alert!

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4. Women’s Health

We know TLC is outspoken about sex, rocking condoms as part of their look. Overall the issues surrounding women's health in this movie will be a great place to start a dialogue with young people.

This movie brings it! T-Boz and Chilli air their dirty laundry and really put their business out there.

T-Boz’s sickle cell anemia was kept as a secret until her organs nearly failed. She toured with a full medical center to treat complications from her condition. She’s told she wont live past 30 and will never have children (she has a daughter). Recently, she underwent surgery for a brain tumor. 

Perhaps, a spoiler or shocker, Chilli had an abortion. While much of the the movie is overly dramatized (there is so much story to tell in 2 hours (w/commercial breaks) the movie recounts her group members being supportive and encouraging.

Recently, Chilli and T-Boz went on The Dr. Oz Show, to talk health. T-Boz talked about her brain tumor and sickle cell anemia and Chilli talked about her acid reflux.

The sisterhood is in full effect in this movie. You will laugh, you will cry and you will be singing your favorite TLC song.

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