Jodeci’s Mr. Dalvin Asks Fans to Pray for TLC’s T-Boz Amid Sickle Cell Flare-Up
- I’m asking you, everybody, under the sound of my voice, to ask God to touch her and heal her, that she may have a speedy recovery.
Jodeci member Dalvin DeGrate is asking fans to keep TLC singer Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins in their prayers as she battles a recurring sickle cell flare-up. According to an Instagram video shared on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the R&B star called on supporters to lift his longtime friend spiritually after a health setback forced her to miss a live performance.
Dalvin DeGrate Asks Supporters for Prayers and Healing
In the video message, DeGrate urged viewers to pray for Watkins to experience a quick recovery. He asked his followers to take a moment for her regardless of whether they are traditional fans of the group.
I’m asking you, everybody, under the sound of my voice, to ask God to touch her and heal her, that she may have a speedy recovery.
Dalvin DeGrate
DeGrate also asked for strength, peace, and good health for Watkins so she can return to performing. He closed his video with a direct message to his peer, stating that everyone loves and appreciates her, according to the original coverage.
T-Boz Misses Recent TLC Concert Due to Sickle Cell Flare-Up
The public appeal followed an unannounced absence from the stage. Watkins missed TLC’s August 27, 2026, concert at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in New York, leaving bandmate Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas to perform the set alone.
According to concert reviews, Chilli informed the audience that Watkins was dealing with a sickle cell flare-up. During the performance, some of Watkins’ vocal tracks were played through prerecorded recordings while Chilli carried the vocals live.
Understanding Sickle Cell Disease and Watkins’ Medical History
Watkins has lived with sickle cell disease since childhood, a condition she has discussed openly throughout her career. The inherited blood disorder causes normally round red blood cells to harden into a curved shape, blocking blood vessels and restricting oxygen delivery. These blockages trigger intense episodes known as crises, which can induce severe pain lasting hours or days and frequently require hospitalization.
Throughout more than three decades in the music industry, Watkins has navigated multiple health challenges alongside her career with TLC, which has sold more than 65 million records and earned four Grammy Awards. In addition to managing her lifelong blood disorder, she previously survived a benign brain tumor that required complex surgery and an extended recovery period. In 2024, she faced another health hurdle when she was hospitalized for an abdominal blockage stemming from scar tissue tied to a decades-old surgery, forcing the cancellation of several tour dates.
Decades-Long Bond Between Two R&B Icons
The friendship between DeGrate and Watkins dates back to the 1990s, when TLC and Jodeci reigned as two of the most dominant and influential groups in contemporary R&B. Their paths crossed frequently during that era, and the two artists have maintained a steady personal and creative bond, even collaborating and teasing new music projects in recent years.
As of Tuesday, September 1, 2026, neither Watkins nor representatives for TLC have issued an official statement regarding her current medical status, and public updates on potential hospitalizations or upcoming tour schedules have not been released.