VH1 Start Production On TLC Biopic

For the fortunate set who grew up during TLC‘s reign, it’s common-knowledge that the trio brought the drama both on and off the stage.

Naturally, then, a biopic centred on the lives of Tionne ‘T Boz’ Watkins, the late Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopez, and Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas, has been talked about for more than a decade.

Yet as the 10th year since Lopes’ passing draws to a close, fans will be elated to learn that the made-for-TV-movie has finally gone in to production – with the iconic group’s surviving members serving as “consultants and executive producers”.

Peep the press release below…

LOS ANGELES, CA – November 26th, 2012 – VH1 is casting the roles of Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, for a full-length TV movie based on the celebrated pop/ hip hop/ R&B group TLC. With a script by acclaimed screenwriter Kate Lanier (“What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “Set it Off,” “Beauty Shop”), the untitled film is slated to begin shooting in early 2013.

TLC’s humble beginnings in Atlanta quickly led to an unprecedented rise to fame in the 1990’s as one of the world’s most talented, celebrated and highest-selling female groups of all time. Through very public and high-profile success, turmoil and tragedy, TLC left an indelible stamp of female empowerment that changed the face of the music industry forever.

The two surviving members of the group, Chilli and T-Boz, have signed on as consultants and executive producers for the movie. Executive producing the TLC bio-pic are Bill Diggins and Maggie Malina. Alexander Motlagh is executive producing for Pop Films.  Jeff Olde and Jill Holmes serve as executive producers for VH1.

***********

Granted every biopic brings with it fresh debate about what’s fact, what’s fairytale, and what’s  fallacy, we’re relatively amped for this. Having personally grown up during TLC’s rise, their story is one that future generations of music lovers should more than just know; it should be one they come to appreciate. For, without TLC, a host of today’s biggest artists may not have been here.

From a pure dramatics angles too, their story almost Shakespearian. Astronomical success, bankruptcy, burning down houses, in- fighting, illness, commercial redemption, and sadly death. Their narrative is epic. As such, this is one project we’ll be watching closely.