TLC’s Chilli Accused Of Colorism After Rejecting ‘Chocolate’ Compliment
Chilli — born Rozonda Thomas — has been accused of colorism after she corrected a fan of her skin color that compared it to chocolate. “OK Matthew! He got some…
AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 11: Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, Singer-Songwriter, TLC attends the Fast Company Grill on March 11, 2019 in Austin, Texas.
(Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Fast Company )Chilli -- born Rozonda Thomas -- has been accused of colorism after she corrected a fan of her skin color that compared it to chocolate.
"OK Matthew! He got some chocolate now he got some moves!! I approve!!," a fan commented about the singer and her boyfriend Matthew Lawrence on Instagram of the couple dancing together in Jamaica.
Chilli responded writing, "Caramel" with a winking emoji and star eyes emoji.
Fans React To Chilli's "Caramel" Response
Fans were mostly in disagreement with Chili's response as they didn't understand why she needed to correct the fan.
"I don’t even think the person literally meant chocolate as in the color of chocolate. She meant he got himself a BLACK woman," a fan wrote on The Neighborhood Talk's comment section. "I don’t even understand what was the point of tryna correct it caramel lol. Girl, you black and that’s beautiful."
"The fact she felt the need to clarify says a lot," another fan wrote.
"Colorism got everybody in a chokehold. It’s tiring at this point," another fan responded.
Chilli also found her way into the comment section and wrote back, "Chocolate is beautiful also. never said it wasn’t. But without a tan, I’m caramel. What’s the harm in being truthful? Good grief."
"She must've had a tan her whole life then," a fan clapped back at the singer's response.
Usher Reveals He Proposed To Chilli When They Were Dating
Chilli has once again been in the headlines after her Usher revealed that he proposed to her, and she turned him down. The former couple dated from 2001 to 2004.
"If I am to be honest, I was her No. 1 fan, and she was my superstar," he told People, referencing lyrics from his 2004 hit "Superstar."
The pair was able to find love with other people. Currently, Chilli is dating actor Matthew Lawrence, who is known for his role in Boy Meets World. Usher just got married this past weekend in a surprise wedding to longtime girlfriend Jenn Goicoechea. The news follows the singer and music executive obtaining a marriage license on Feb. 8 in Clark County, Nevada.
The Las Vegas Sphere is a visual artist's dream. Located in Paradise, Nevada, the music and entertainment venue is only 1.5 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. The building stands at 366 feet tall and spans 516 feet across. It is the largest spherical structure in the world. While the outside of the Sphere is an exemplary piece of architectural design, the inside is what every artist dreams of.
The inside of the Las Vegas Sphere has the world's highest resolution LED screen (16K) that wraps around the arena and can hold up to 18,600 guests in the auditorium. 10,000 of those seats have an infrasound haptic system, and all 18,600 seats have a high-speed internet connection according to FOX Business. In addition the Sphere also has 4D effects with effects to change the weather, temperature and more. For sound, the Sphere has the world's largest beamforming audio system.
The venue opened on September 29 with U2 gracing the stage as the Sphere's first performers. Their residency extends through March 2.
Beyoncé Rumored To Plan Las Vegas Residency At Sphere
Earlier this month, Beyoncé participated in a Verizon ad that premiered during the Super Bowl, the megastar announced a new country album and two new tracks from the project arriving next month and not a Vegas residency at the Sphere, fans are still convinced it's on the horizon.
In the commercial, Beyoncé is seen on top of the Sphere in one of her moments trying to break the internet.
Additionally, Verizon teased the possibility (but were most likely referring to the commercial) on their X account.
This follows Forbes' November 2023 report that Beyoncé and her team were looking into the high-tech performance center for a residency. The singer’s team is reportedly requesting $10 million to produce the show. Beyoncé has not confirmed that she will go on tour for this album or that she will have a concert or residency at the Sphere at the time of this writing. Still, it would be pretty amazing!
Here are seven hip-hop and R&B artists that would be perfect at the Vegas Sphere:
Beyoncé
(Photo by Mason Poole/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images)Beyoncé's visuals have always been next-level, and what she could do at the Las Vegas Sphere wouldn't be anything short of iconic. After the Super Bowl surprise, where she announced Act II of Renaissance -- a trilogy of projects first revealed in 2022 --- will be a country album along with two singles, "Texas Hold 'Em" and "16 Carriages," rumors began that she would possibly have to take Act II to Vegas at the Sphere. During the Verizon ad, which teased her dropping music, she tried to "break the internet," and in her many attempts, which included a lemonade stand -- a nod to her 2016 album Lemonade -- going into space and running for president. She also found herself at the top of the Sphere, which fans believe was a nod to a potential residency. Beyoncé is definitely an artist whose fans would flock to Vegas to see as her last tour as the Beehive supported the artists overseas during the <em>Renaissance World Tour</em> as well as in their home cities. According to Forbes, the <em>Renaissance World Tour</em> made $579 Million, with 2.7 million fans attending across the 52 tour dates.
Jay-Z
(Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for BFI)Jay-Z hasn't been on tour in six years, so a huge welcome back at the Las Vegas Sphere seems appropriate. The Brooklyn native's last solo tour was in 2017 in support of his thirteenth studio album, <em>4:44</em>. He later joined his wife, Beyoncé, on their <em>On The Run II Tour</em> the following year to accompany their joint album <em>Everything Is Love</em>. There have been possible hints at a fourteenth album from Jay, as his exhibit at the Brooklyn Library contained an empty display case next to <em>4:44.</em> While there hasn't been a confirmation on another album, fans wouldn't be upset if he decided to do a residency at the Sphere.
Drake
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)Drake is known for his over-the-top (and often playful) antics during his live shows, so the rapper would be right at home in the Sphere. Last year, he said that he would be taking a break from music to focus on his health, but in a concert in February, the rapper walked back on his statement as he teased new music. If Drake released a new project and then a residency at the Sphere, it would be a monumental moment for fans. The rapper released his latest album<em> For All The Dogs: Scary Hours Edition</em> in November.
Rihanna
(Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Imagesfor Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 presented by Prime Video)Rihanna's Super Bowl performance was a reminder that she still has it when creating visually appealing performances. The singer-turned-mogul headlined Super Bowl LVII in 2022, where she performed a medley of her greatest hits, including "Diamonds," "Run This Town," "Where Have You Been," and more. It's been eight years since Rihanna dropped 'Anti,' which garnered the singer eight GRAMMY nominations. According to A$AP Rocky, the singer is in the studio working on her ninth studio album, and we believe a Sphere residency would be the perfect venue for her musical comeback.
Usher
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)Vegas has been Usher's home for two years, and some fans are still regretting not seeing him during his residency. The Sphere would be the perfect opportunity for Usher to combine his creative visual side with the intimacy he shares with the audience during his concert. While Usher is set to embark on his Past Present Future Tour this fall, we wouldn't mind him seeing the show he would put on at the Sphere. At this point, Usher might need a permanent place in Vegas.
Kanye
(Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)While a residency at the Sphere would be far-fetched, given where Kanye is currently in his career due to his controversial moments, if given the opportunity, he would absolutely set the stage on fire. Kanye just released the first volume of Vultures, and with two more parts remaining, it will be ample time for him to get some tour dates going. The rapper always brings out his surprise guests to big events like this for the most part, so fans of the artists who work with Ye will be able to see them there, too. If a concert is too much, Ye loves a listening party, so maybe he could get his feet wet by holding a slightly smaller event before concert dates are rolled out.
Travis Scott
(Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for MTV/ ViacomCBS)As one of the newer talents on this list, whether you hate him or love him, you can't deny his knack for creating over-the-top visuals. Scott would be able to create a masterpiece of visuals if he were able to in Vegas, as he's shown off his talent in prior music videos and live performances. The rapper just dropped<em> Utopia</em> last year, which was nominated for Best Rap Album at the Grammys. The second leg of his <em>Utopia Tour</em> ended in January, so it seems as if the artist has some time to cook up some memorable visions for a possible third leg or new album accompanied by a Vegas residency. If you look at his music videos and live performances, Scott is a no-brainer for the Sphere.
