TLC's Chilli gets emotional as she accepts Legacy Award at the Variety Power of Women event in New York: 'When you are a woman of color... it's a huge struggle'

By ALESIA STANFORD FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

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Chilli got emotional as she reflected on her rise to fame while accepting an award at the Variety 2023 Power of Women event in New York on Tuesday. 

The singer, 52, who is reportedly thinking of starting a family with boyfriend Matthew Lawrence, 43, looked sleek in a white coat dress and silver strappy sandals for the event honoring female excellence. 

Chilli, who shot to success as a member of the Grammy-winning group TLC, was at the annual event to accept a Legacy Award ahead of release of the documentary TLC Forever, which will be released in June on Lifetime and A&E networks. 

The artist spoke about the ups and downs of her career as a member of one of the most popular girl bands in music and said she had struggled 'as a woman of color', according to Variety. 

Moment: Chilli got emotional as she reflected on her rise to fame while accepting an award at the Variety 2023 Power of Women event in New York on Tuesday

Moment: Chilli got emotional as she reflected on her rise to fame while accepting an award at the Variety 2023 Power of Women event in New York on Tuesday

'When you are a woman of color, it’s real hard — it’s a huge struggle,' she told the audience that included Spike Lee, late night talk show host Seth Myers and fellow honorees, including author Judy Blume, Kelly Ripa, Rosie Perez, Natasha Lyonne and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez. 

With relatable crossover hits such as Waterfalls and Unpretty, the girl group sold more than 85 million records worldwide and won multiple awards for their music.  

The Billboard Award winner recalled one hurtful incident in her speech.

'I’ll always remember when ‘No Scrubs’ came out and it was actually our first number one,' she said,.

'I always wanted to be on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine…we didn’t get the cover. 

'I won’t say who [got the cover], it’s okay because he deserved it too, but we also did. The message was "the last time we had someone Black on the cover, it didn’t really sell well.”'

The Creep singer also described the determination she and her fellow singers needed to continue pursuing their dreams. 

'I have to say that just because you hear many ‘nos’ does not mean that you don’t have the talent, because you do.'

'We never stopped believing in ourselves and each other.' 

Struggle: 'When you are a woman of color, it’s real hard — it’s a huge struggle,' she told the audience. 'I have to say that just because you hear many ‘nos’ does not mean that you don’t have the talent, because you do'

Struggle: 'When you are a woman of color, it’s real hard — it’s a huge struggle,' she told the audience. 'I have to say that just because you hear many ‘nos’ does not mean that you don’t have the talent, because you do'

Sleek: Chilli looked sleek in a white coat dress with with a plunging neckline and sparkly silver sandals
Accessories: Chilli's long dark hair was styled in waves and she accessorized the look with tiered necklaces, including a diamond choker

Sleek: Chilli looked sleek in a white coat dress with with a plunging neckline and sparkly silver sandals. Her long dark hair was styled in waves and she accessorized the look with tiered necklaces, including a diamond choker

Relatable: With relatable crossover hits such as Waterfalls and Unpretty, TLC sold more than 85 million records worldwide and won multiple awards for their music. Pictured here with filmmaker Spike Lee, 62

Relatable: With relatable crossover hits such as Waterfalls and Unpretty, TLC sold more than 85 million records worldwide and won multiple awards for their music. Pictured here with filmmaker Spike Lee, 62

Honorees: Fellow honorees at the annual event included Kelly Ripa, Judy Blume, Natasha Lyonne, Rosie Perez, and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Honorees: Fellow honorees at the annual event included Kelly Ripa, Judy Blume, Natasha Lyonne, Rosie Perez, and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Chilli also thanked the group's manager, for sticking with them after the tragic accident that claimed the life of the third member of TLC, Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes, who died in a car crash in Honduras in April 2002. 

'Bill Diggins believed in us when we were on top of the world,' an emotional Chilli said.

'And when everything happened, losing our sister, and no one believing in us anymore, thinking that it was over…he never felt like that.'

TLC is still going strong. Chilli and T-Boz are scheduled to hit the road June 1 for a tour with Shaggy, En Vogue and Sean Kingston, beginning in Alabama and wrapping up in Concord, CA July 9. 

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