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[READ: VH1 Finalizes Cast of TLC Biopic (PHOTOS)]
The film, which follows the lives of supergroup TLC stars Keke Palmer (“Akeela & The Bee,” “True Jackson VP,” “Joyful Noise”) as Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, Lil Mama (“America’s Best Dance Crew”) as the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Drew Sidora (“Step Up,” “Wild Hogs,” “The Game”) as Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins.
[FLASHBACK: TLC, Kris Kross & Marky Mark Discuss Fame on Oprah (VIDEO)]
Check out the first look of the official cast photos + full press release…
VH1 has cast the iconic roles of superstars Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, for a full-length TV movie based on the life and career of R&B/hip-hop/pop group TLC.
In the film, titled “Crazy, Sexy, Cool: The TLC Story,” KeKe Palmer (“Akeela & The Bee,” “True Jackson VP,” “Joyful Noise”) will portray Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, Lil Mama (“America’s Best Dance Crew”) will take on the role of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Drew Sidora (“Step Up,” “Wild Hogs,” “The Game”) has been cast as Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins.
Charles Stone III (“Drumline,” “Paid in Full,” “Mr. 3000”) is set to direct the biopic, which is penned by screenwriter Kate Lanier (“What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “Set it Off,” “Beauty Shop”). The film is slated to begin shooting next month in Atlanta.
VH1’s TLC project is part of the network’s successful push into scripted programming which will include the premiere of new scripted series “Bounce” (working title) later this year.
“With this cast, we are thrilled with the talent assembled both in front of and behind the cameras,” stated Jeff Olde, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and Production, VH1. “TLC are truly music pioneers and this movie is a fantastic way to expand our scripted push by combining our audience’s passion for music with their love of story. We know our viewers will be eager to go beyond the headlines and into the surprisingly personal, never before told stories of these groundbreaking women.”
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 biopic are Bill Diggins and Maggie Malina. Jeff Olde and Jill Holmes serve as executive producers for VH1. Alexander A. Motlagh also serves as executive producer for Pop Films.
VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 99 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, and extensive video on VH1.com. VH1 is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.
What do you think of these official cast photos?
Did they capture the essence of the original TLC?
In that first picture, T-Boz and JD look waaaay off, but in the second one, all three are pretty much spot on!
I THINK LIL MAMA AND DREW SIDORA SHOULD SWITCH PLACES.I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THIS MOVIE THOUGH.TLC WAS NO JOKE!
i will C cuz i loved those women! right wrong or indifferent and i saw Chilli grow up b4 TLC loved Lisa and T boz was my middle girls idol!
The pictures are great. I can’t wait to see the movie
The only pulling off the look is the girl playing T-Boz. Lil Mama looks like a fish out of water. She could pull it off if she embodies that tom boy wild child expression that Left Eye had. Keke is only pulling off chili’s hair style. This will be interesting.
LMAO!!!!"Lil Mama looks like a fish out of water"…That is funny…. This will be interesting… I hope this film is worth the time and effort put into it….
Trey Wiggins
And Drew, I still don’t see it for you. Even in these pictures, the swag is just too forced and fake. The pics are..interesting. I know that KeKe will act the hell outta this role, she does it with every other one. Also, I do believe Lil Mama will surprisingly be the stand out star in this movie.
I agree. Too forced.
Man they will never be able to be TLC,but Lil Mama is pullin it off though.
I think all the girls except for lil mama looks good I don’t expect for each girl to look exactly like the original members. But I cant wait to see it anyways in support of the Original members whom I looked up too. Lil Mama career fell off when she hopped her happy ass on stage with Jay z and Alicia Keys so I don`t know about her portraying the late great Lisa Left Eye Lopes plus she has a thick new York accent so for her to try and get rid of it she is going to sound real retarded. All that talent in Atlanta I’m pretty sure they could of found somebody besides lil mama to play Left Eye they still have time I think they need to redo that over.
They should sign Keke Palmer when they make a movie about Montana Fishburne… The two are spot on twinz
I hoping for the best….
Lil Mama is an AWESOME choice for Left Eye. Christiana Millian would have been a better choice for Chili; you need a mixed race person for that role and she is a good actress. KeKe Palmer great actress, NOT a good look-alike, Drew Sidora is a questionable look-alike for “T-Boz”.
They look like girls dressed up for a halloween party, AS TLC. The costumes are a bit over the top, tone it down a little and they might be able to pull it off. I realize TLC dressed this way, but it is not working for the actors playing them.
I’m just not seeing it in any of the pictures but will definitley support and watch the movie….
THEY DO LOOK LIKE TLC!!! I SCROLLED DOWN AND THOUGHT THAT I WAS LOOKING A OLD PICS OF TLC AT FIRST GLANCE. I WANT PEOPLE TO STOP HATING. KEEP IN MIND THAT CHILL AND T-BOZ HAVE HAD A HANDS ON ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS MOVIE. THEY ARE GONNA MAKE SURE THAT IT’S ON POINT. I HOPE THE MOVIE IS A HIT AND I’M SURE THAT THE CAST WILL DO A EXCELLENT JOB. HI HATER!!!
The pictures look good. Please ignore the ignorant haters. Cant wait to see the Movie.
I love TLC so I will support this however I do not agree with the casting. Christina Millian should have played Chilli. Drew seem okay for the T-Boz role but Lil Mama is way off for the role of Left eye. Can she act?
To me, Christina Milian would not have done this story justice. She’s not a great actor to me. They could have put the eldest McClain sister in this movie as Chilli. The best person for the role is not always the person who looks most like the the artist they portray. Think back to Angela Basset as Tina Turner. No resemblance, but she made us believe she was Tina Turner. That is what’s important. Besides, Christina Milian looks NOTHING like Chilli, either.
I’m sorry but Lil Mama looks ridiculous! Ugh I almost don’t even want to see it after looking at these pics. I love TLC and Keke Palmer so I’ll watch, but I have a feeling Lil Mama is gonna ruin it for me.
Dont know i think dey should have find some girl dats not allready stars it would okay da girls dont look like TLC dont think dey will pull it off
I actually think they could have found better actress for T-Boz..im not quite sure who..but Drew Sidora was definitely not a good fit..as for Lil Mama yea she tacky and all but she didnt ruin her career during empire state of mind performance..she never really took off after "lip gloss"..and even tho she be on ABDC..that hasnt exactly established relevency..i do think out of young female lyricists..theres not many..heck female lyricists in general are extinct..so lil mama wasnt as bad a choice as Drew Sidora..i watched her on the Game and i wasnt impressed..she seems to overdo things..Keke was great for Chili..no complaints!
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