Jodeci’s Mr. Dalvin Asks Fans to Pray for TLC’s T-Boz

Jodeci’s Mr. Dalvin is asking fans to keep his longtime friend T-Boz in their prayers as the TLC singer’s known health issues return. One-fourth of the legendary R&B group, whose real name is Dalvin DeGrate, shared an emotional message Tuesday for Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins. The star recently missed a performance after experiencing a sickle cell flare-up.

“I’m asking you, everybody, under the sound of my voice, to ask God to touch her and heal her, that she may have a speedy recovery,” DeGrate said in an Instagram video.

He also asked for strength and peace for Watkins, emphasizing his desire for her to return to the stage. “We all love you and we all appreciate you,” DeGrate said directly to Watkins. His message came days after Watkins missed TLC’s Aug. 27 concert at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in New York, where her bandmate Chilli performed without her.

Chilli informed concertgoers that Watkins was dealing with a sickle cell flare-up, with some of Watkins’ vocals reportedly played through prerecorded tracks during the set. Watkins has lived with sickle cell disease since childhood, an inherited condition that causes red blood cells to become rigid and obstruct blood flow, often leading to severe pain and potential hospitalization.

A History of Resilience

Watkins has been transparent about her diagnosis throughout her career, even while managing other health challenges. In 2024, she was hospitalized for an abdominal blockage caused by surgical scar tissue, a condition she clarified was unrelated to her sickle cell disease. Despite these hurdles, she has remained a powerhouse in the music industry for over three decades, contributing to a legacy that includes 65 million records sold and four Grammy Awards.

DeGrate and Watkins have shared a close bond since the 1990s, a decade when both TLC and Jodeci solidified their status as R&B icons. Their friendship has endured through the years, with the two artists frequently collaborating and teasing future projects.

While neither Watkins nor her representatives have publicly detailed her current condition or confirmed any upcoming hospitalization, DeGrate’s message serves as a heartfelt request for fans to keep T-Boz in their thoughts and prayers during this time.