How the Stars of CrazySexyCool Are Honoring TLC's Legacy Onstage
- teams721
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
By: K. Harley
It's lunchtime on a Sunday, and the stars of CrazySexyCool: The TLC Musical at Arena Stage — Stoney B. Woods (Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas), Jade Milan (Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes) and Holli' Gabrielle Conway (Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins) — have settled into a quiet corner just hours before their evening performance to sit down with Women for the Culture for an exclusive interview.
The chemistry among the trio is undeniable. Their infectious laughter, warm embraces and the way they effortlessly finish each another's sentences say it all. Along the journey of bringing one of R&B and hip-hop's most iconic girl groups to the Arenastage, the performers formed a bond that made them inseparable. They became more than friends — they became sisters.
Having been part of the production since its inception, the women reflect on how the show matured them as artists, challenged them as dancers and has given them an opportunity to share an important message with the world.
Yes ... the girls are talking. . . .and they have something to say.
Having seen CrazySexyCool: The TLC Musical during previews and again near the end of its run, I can confidently say the cast makes it easy for audiences to sit back and enjoy the experience. The production feels more like attending a live concert than watching a scripted musical. The performers also bear a striking resemblance to T-Boz, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Chilli, with credit to hair and wig designer Nikiya Mathis, makeup designer Michael Clifton, casting director Raiyon Hunter and the team at NYC Telsey Casting Office for helping them recreate TLC's signature looks with remarkable authenticity. Under the direction of Kwame Kwei-Armah and the choreography of Chloe O. Davis, the leading ladies and ensemble capture TLC's swagger, master the group's signature mannerisms and deliver the intricate yet energetic choreography that defined the Grammy Award-winning trio. When I asked the performers how TLC contributed to the culture and why the group continues to inspire generations of women, each offered a thoughtful perspective.
Jade Milan didn't hesitate.
"It's because TLC gave us options," she said. "They brought a whole new era of womanhood to the forefront just by their presence alone. They challenged what was considered 'fine' during the '90s. This was a time when permed hair that blew in the wind and slim-but-curvy body types were trending."
She says TLC arrived with something entirely different — and with it, a level of freedom that hadn't existed before.
Stoney B. pointed to the group's lyrics, saying TLC's "bold, boisterous and audacious approach to music" is what continues to set them apart.
They openly discussed things like safe sex, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, infidelity, and flipped the script on the 'damsel in distress' to help women reclaim their power and give rise to femininity in hip-hop," Woods said.
Beyond their music, TLC challenged social norms with their fearless choice of fashion — even wearing condoms as accessories — and by normalizing conversations many felt women shouldn't be having.
Although TLC faced harsh criticism throughout much of its early career, the group was often labeled aggressive or gimmicky for their baggy clothing, bold pops of color, eclectic style and unapologetic lyrics.
Holli' believes they were simply being authentic.
"They were just being true to themselves and speaking on topics that even today are considered taboo," she said.
Reflecting on her own upbringing in the South, Conway added, "I'm from Louisiana, and it had been a decade and a half after TLC's first two albums were released, and sex education still was not being taught in school."
As Jade so eloquently put it, TLC "was not there to conform to culture, but to reform it."
With their talent, creativity and originality, the group challenged the status quo of a male-dominated music industry and gave women permission to speak openly about issues despite it being considered, political.
The musical shines a light on the TLC's personal struggles. The tension between the members and their early manager, as portrayed by Washington D.C. theater artist Felicia Curry, is palpable. Like many others in the business, she questioned whether their unique stance would resonate with mainstream audiences.
As the story unfolds, audiences witness each woman's struggle to maintain balance and inner-peace while navigating the pressures of sudden fame.
In the search for purpose through pain, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Musical re-enacted songs such as "Perfect Girls," "Unpretty" and "Dear Lie" to explore the struggles they faced behind the spotlight. Audiences gain a deeper understanding of T-Boz's journey with sickle cell disease and infertility, Chilli's emotional rollercoaster between love and faith, and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes' battles with anger, alcohol and her identity.
Although the performers are no strangers to the stage — with credits including Hell's Kitchen, The Book of Mormon, Law & Order, Tina Turner The Musical, and for Holli' Gabrielle Conway, a principal role in SIX as the first Black woman to portray Katherine Howard — they described stepping into these roles as though they were starting from scratch.
When I asked what each of them had discovered about themselves throughout the process, their answers revealed lessons that extended far beyond the stage.
While each performer shared her own defining takeaway, the conversation ultimately centered around caring for their mind and body. CrazySexyCool: The TLC Musical is physically demanding production that requires the cast to prioritize pre and post show stretching, rest and recovery.
For Jade Milan, the experience shifted her perspective completely.
"It's not just about putting on a great show," she said. "It's about longevity."
Stoney B. described a newfound responsibility to both the craft and herself.
"It requires emotional resilience, forgiveness and not being afraid to fail in front of others," she said.
Holli' , meanwhile, kept the us all laughing.
"Listen, Chloe whooped my tail when it came to the dancing!" she said. "It was hard. She gave us these three turns during the audition for 'Diggin' on You' that I just could not get!!! But she made me fight for it. I went to the gym after my dance call and practiced."
Conway explained just how important the choreography was to Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, whose signature shoulder bounces, body rolls and hit-snap-pop movements became synonymous with TLC's unmistakable style.
As the musical notes, TLC's influence extended far beyond its own success, helping pave the way for future girl groups such as the Spice Girls, Blaque and Destiny's Child.
Conway recalled the moment she learned she had landed the role.
"Tionne got on the phone, and the first thing she asked was, '...But can she dance?'" Conway said with a laugh.
Dance was clearly a priority for T-Boz, but Conway said it was equally important that the cast never lost its own identity while becoming TLC.
The story itself is an emotional one, so before each performance, the women depend on one another for their shared faith, praying together before showtime.
Jade said the entire creative team "gave us the freedom to find and use our voices."
The performers also spoke fondly of entertainment executive and lead producer Bill Diggins, whom spent years alongside TLC. They shared that Bill sat in the audience, practically every night in support of the performers and helped maintain open communication between them, T-Boz and Chilli. They are especially grateful for his ability to find the heart of the story and bring it to the stage.
I could have stayed and spoke with these performers all day. Better yet, I could see myself, much like Bill Diggins, returning to see the show again and again. It's just that good.
You still have time to experience CrazySexyCool: The TLC Musical before it closes Aug. 9, at Arena Stage.
And don't be surprised if this production earns its share of Helen Hayes Awards and other theater honors. The performances are exceptional, the storytelling is heartfelt and, as for these women...the way they saaaaaang and continue to hold it down for the culture is something no one can deny.
