Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins ‘Recovering’ Following Hospitalization for Sickle Cell Crisis After Missing TLC Tour Shows

“The love shown for T-Boz has been overwhelming,” a rep for Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins told ‘USA Today’ after the “No Scrubs” performer was hospitalized due to a sickle-cell disease crisis.

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Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins was hospitalized due to a sickle-cell disease crisis but is now recovering and regaining strength, according to a statement from her rep

Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas performed TLC’s recent shows solo

Watkins, diagnosed with sickle-cell disease at age 7, has received love and prayers from fans and peers

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins is on the mend following a recent hospitalization.

TLC is currently on the It’s Iconic Tour with Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue, but Rozonda “Chili” Thomas recently delivered a few of the “No Scrubs” group’s performances on her own and told the crowd at an Aug. 28 show at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut that Watkins’ absence was due to a sickle-cell disease crisis.

“Obviously my sister is not here right now. She has sickle-cell. I think most of you know all the stuff that goes on with TLC, but when she has, you know, an episode — which is what’s happening right now,” Thomas told concertgoers, according to videos on social media. “But she’s so much better, and I want to ask each and every one of you to help me hold her down tonight. So, thank you in advance for your support and understanding.”

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A rep for Watkins is now sharing an update on her condition. “Tionne recently experienced a sickle cell crisis that required hospitalization, and she is currently recovering and regaining her strength,” the rep told USA Today in a statement. “Because the It’s Iconic Tour is such an interactive show, we made the decision to continue, with Chilli performing and receiving incredible support from Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue, and most importantly, the fans.”

Watkins’ rep added, “The love shown for T-Boz has been overwhelming. 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. We are immensely grateful for the love and support.”

The statement also comes after Jodeci’s Dalvin DeGrate asked fans to pray for Watkins in an Instagram video posted on Sept. 1.

“She’s my dear friend,” he began. “I want everybody to just take a second to say a prayer for her that God will heal her body and strengthen her so that she can return and do what she loves to do and be at peace and in good health.”

DeGrate continued, “Let T-Boz know that we all love you and we all appreciate you and get well fast. We love you, T-Boz.”

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Watkins was diagnosed with sickle-cell disease at 7 years old. According to the Mayo Clinic, the blood disorder “affects the shape of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of the body.” It can damage organs and cause pain so severe it requires hospitalization.

“I have to worry about it every day of my life,” Watkins told PEOPLE in 2017. “You can be in so much pain you get delirious.”

TLC is next scheduled to perform a show at New Jersey’s PNC Bank Arts Center on Saturday, Sept. 12. The group continues the It’s Iconic Tour throughout North America until Oct. 11.

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