Tionne T-Boz Watkins Net Worth

Publish date: 2024-05-02

What is Tionne T-Boz Watkins’ Net Worth?

Tionne T-Boz Watkins, known for her work as a singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and author, has a net worth of $1.5 million. She is best known for her time as a member of the music group TLC, for which she won four Grammy Awards. Since then, she has pursued a successful career as a solo artist and executive producer.

Childhood Challenges

Tionne Tenese Watkins was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1970 and was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia at an early age. Her parents were professional performers, but they divorced when she was three years old. Tionne’s illness resulted in frequent hospital visits during her childhood. Despite these challenges, she dreamed of becoming a performer like her parents.

When Tionne was nine years old, her family moved to Atlanta, Georgia.

TLC’s Formation and Success

Tionne Watkins met Perri Reid, wife of LAFace Records’ head Antionio, through a mutual friend and was invited to audition for the group that later became TLC. Alongside Crystal Jones and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez, Watkins was chosen to join the group. Jones was later replaced by Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, and the group emerged as TLC in 1991. They became one of the most successful music groups of their generation, selling over 65 million records and becoming a pop culture symbol of the 90s.

Solo Career of Tionne T-Boz Watkins

Tionne T-Boz Watkins established herself as a solo artist while still being a part of TLC. She contributed songs to film soundtracks including “Touch Myself” for the 1996 film “Fled” and “My Getaway” for the 2000 film “Rugrats in Paris: The Movie.” She collaborated with several artists such as Da Brat, Society of Soul, Keith Sweat, Raphael Saadiq, and Paula Cole on tracks like “Ghetto Love,” “Changes,” “He Say She Say,” “Different Times,” and “Be Somebody.”

After a long hiatus, Watkins released a single called “Champion” in 2013, with proceeds going towards sickle cell research. In 2017, she released the single “Dreams.”

Tionne Watkins’ Career Beyond Music

Aside from her music career, Tionne Watkins has also made a name for herself in the acting industry. She appeared in “Belly” in 1998 and had guest roles in “Living Single” and “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” She landed a recurring role in “Days of Our Lives” in 2016 and returned to the show in 2017 and 2018. Watkins also voiced characters in “Trollz” and “Black Dynamite.” She had her own reality show, “Totally T-Boz,” and acted as an executive producer for the film “ATL.”

During her time in TLC, the group sold over 65 million records, with Watkins often performing as the lead singer. The group won four Grammys during its peak.

Tionne T-Boz Watkins’ Personal Life

In 2000, Watkins married rapper Mack 10 and had a child together. However, four years later, she filed for divorce and a restraining order against him. Later, they became amicable and Watkins even moved closer to Mack 10 for the sake of their child. In 2016, she adopted a child named Chance.

Tionne Watkins’ Health Struggles

Tionne Watkins has faced numerous health challenges throughout her life. She has been hospitalized multiple times for sickle cell anemia since she was seven years old. She kept this condition a secret until 1996. Despite her disclosure, she continued to suffer from the disease’s frequent flare-ups.

In 2009, Watkins disclosed that she had been battling a brain tumor for three years. The benign acoustic neuroma, about the size of a grape, was threatening her life and causing balance, hearing, and facial muscle problems. Her sickle cell anemia made surgery difficult, but eventually, a Los Angeles surgeon agreed to operate and remove the growth.

TLC’s Bankruptcy Filing

In 1995, TLC, one of the highest-grossing music groups of the era, filed for bankruptcy. Despite releasing platinum albums with millions of record sales, the group declared debts of approximately $3.5 million and filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. The members revealed that their contract with their producers and managers was incredibly unfair, leaving each member with annual earnings of just $50,000. They were also charged for flights, hotels, clothing, and even food expenses while on tour. The album sales were quickly snapped up by the management and production companies, leaving the three members of TLC with just 56 cents for each album sold. Considering all of this, TLC’s bankruptcy declaration is hardly surprising.

Rozonda “Chilli” Watkins’ Bankruptcy and Financial Lessons

In 2011, Watkins filed for personal bankruptcy, revealing nearly $1 million in debt and a $768,000 mortgage on a $1.2 million property. She earned $12,000 per month with $1,200 from royalties and claimed monthly expenses of $9,000.

Watkins advised in a Guardian interview to sign your own checks, keep taxes in shape, and audit your company. She also warned to watch your back on every corner because everyone in the industry has an agenda, including accountants and lawyers.

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