Amid TLC performing with Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue on their It's Iconic Tour, the girl group's team shared insight into T-Boz's absence.
After the TLC member (real name Tionne Watkins) missed recent shows from the It's Iconic Tour with Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue, their rep confirmed that the singer was absent due to her sickle cell disease.
"Tionne recently experienced a sickle cell crisis that required hospitalization," the statement obtained by USA Today Sept. 2 began, "and she is currently recovering and regaining her strength."
Thankfully, fans won't have to chase waterfalls since her fellow bandmate Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas has continued to take the stage during the tour.
"Because the It's Iconic Tour is such an interactive show," the message continued, "we made the decision to continue with Chilli performing and receiving incredible support from Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue, and most importantly, the fans."
T-Boz—who was diagnosed with the blood disorder at age 7, but publicly shared the diagnosis in 1996 at 26—and Chilli's team also expressed gratitude for those tryin' holla with their support.
"The love shown for T-Boz has been overwhelming," the statement added. "Hearing audiences sing her parts, lift her up in prayer, and surround TLC with so much love has meant more than we can express."
"Sickle cell is a serious illness, so we ask everyone to please keep the prayers coming as Tionne continues to recover," the statement concluded. "We are immensely grateful for the love and support."
E! News has reached out to TLC's reps for additional comment and has not yet heard back.
As Chilli continued to perform without her bandmate, she wasn't too proud to ask fans for help during their Connecticut tour date.
"My sister is not here right now," the 55-year-old said onstage Aug. 28, per videos circulating on social media. "She has sickle cell. I think most of you know all the stuff that goes on with sickle cell when she has an episode, which is what's happening right now, but she's so much better."
"I want to ask each and every one of you to help me hold her down tonight," she emphasized. "So thank you in advance for your support and understanding and this is for T-Boz."
Meanwhile, T-Boz—mom to kids Chase, 25, with ex Mack 10 and Chance, 11, whom she adopted in 2016—previously shared insight into her diagnosis, which required her to take weeks or months off even at the height of TLC's career.
"I was told at 7 years old I would never live past 30," she shared on ABC News in 2017. "I would be disabled my whole life and never have kids. But I've traveled the world with TLC. I've worked with Michael Jackson."
As T-Boz focuses on her recovery, keep reading for more celebs who've detailed their own health journeys.
