Do you remember when TLC and Rihanna were feuding because TLC supposedly criticized Rihanna for always being naked, while they claimed to have become the biggest-selling girl group by keeping their clothes on? TLC later said their words were taken out of context, but it seems they still haven’t gotten over how Rihanna reacted. They feel she blew things out of proportion and still hold some resentment towards her, allegedly.
The feud started during a guest appearance by Chilli and T-Boz on Sunrise Australia. They spoke proudly about their success, with Chilli saying, “The blessing out of all of it is that we’re able to sustain, and that’s the hard thing to do or to have in this business, is longevity. You know, 22 years. It’s almost 22 years this summer that we’ve been in the business.” They also talked about the challenges they faced, including losing Left Eye, which turned the trio into a duo. Despite everything, they appreciated what they stood for and the strong chemistry they still had.
“I love our group. I just love what we stand for. Um, chemistry. That is like a main ingredient. Yeah, it’s either there or it’s not, and the three of us had chemistry. Now it’s the two, and we have crazy chemistry. And the fans, they also keep us going because they love us so much, and they just show so much love.” According to the interview, they mentioned that they made it this far in their career with their clothes on and seemed to single out Rihanna for being naked. However, TLC denied singling out Rihanna.
Because the interview specifically mentioned TLC criticizing Rihanna for selling records by being naked and included a photo of Rihanna while saying it, people assumed those were TLC’s exact words. Rihanna, always quick with her responses, reacted immediately. As soon as the interview came out, she changed her Twitter header to a shot of TLC wearing revealing outfits from their ’94 Vibe photoshoot. She also posted a photo of herself sticking her tongue out, captioning it, “There’s no changing the fact that I’m me, and they’re them.” She even went as far as calling TLC “old thots.” It was a wild moment.
After Rihanna’s clapback, T-Boz and Chilli clarified that they weren’t talking about Rihanna and that their words were taken out of context. They expressed disappointment that Rihanna chose to handle the situation immaturely instead of reaching out to them directly. They were also upset by the backlash from Rihanna’s fans, who were throwing insults and even death threats on Twitter.
T-Boz tweeted, “Last time I checked, I didn’t say anybody’s name. The interviewer did. I’m out of the country. LOL. I didn’t even see the pics. How did I get dragged into talking about someone I like? I don’t care what my opinion is. I’m going to say what I want. At least get what I say right.” In a later interview, they denied shading Rihanna, explaining that when asked if they had seen her outfit, they said no because they were busy touring and unaware of any award shows or what she wore.
According to T-Boz, they never actually named any specific artists. They explained that their intention was positive, aiming to empower young girls. Their message was about letting girls know it’s okay to pursue their dreams without feeling pressured to conform to certain expectations, particularly those imposed by record companies and labels. T-Boz mentioned they were touring in Australia when the interview occurred and hadn’t seen Rihanna’s dress that was discussed. They felt the interviewer twisted their words by inserting Rihanna’s image into the conversation. T-Boz clarified that their comments were directed more generally at television and media influences, not specifically at Rihanna or any other artist.
Regarding artists airing their grievances on social media, Chilli offered some mature advice. She acknowledged that criticism is part of their profession but emphasized the importance of direct communication to resolve conflicts rather than resorting to public disputes on platforms like Twitter.
Rihanna caused a stir by posting topless photos as a response to what she felt was criticism, explaining they were part of a campaign for breast cancer awareness, not just a casual display. The media stirred things up further by linking these photos to comments made by TLC, even though Rihanna hadn’t named anyone directly.
Rihanna has a history of standing up for herself, sometimes sparking heated exchanges. For example, when Ciara mentioned a less-than-friendly encounter with Rihanna at a party, Rihanna responded with a sarcastic tweet: “My bad, Ci. Did I forget to tip you? #howrudeofme.” This led to a Twitter feud, with Ciara challenging Rihanna’s talent and Rihanna questioning Ciara’s stage presence.
Ciara once mentioned how Rihanna seemed to keep treating her poorly, leaving her confused. “I can’t really say much; you’d have to ask her,” Ciara shrugged. “She’s known for speaking her mind, so maybe she can explain it. I honestly don’t know.” But let’s move past Ciara. Remember when Rihanna also dissed Kendall Jenner back in 2012? Kendall was excited about Rihanna’s performance in Los Angeles and tweeted just an hour before the show, “If Rihanna doesn’t perform ‘Complicated’ tomorrow, I’m going to be very upset.” Rihanna, however, wasn’t thrilled about Kendall’s expectation and replied sharply on Twitter: “Well, don’t bother coming then, honey.”
Rihanna has also faced criticism from a radio executive who called her out for being rude. The executive shared her experience on Twitter: “Rihanna was so rude when I worked at FLZ. It really left a bad taste. Her team told meet-and-greet winners not to speak to her. They had to come in, stand behind her while she sat, smile for a quick photo, and then leave immediately.” And then there was the time Rihanna publicly mocked Alexis Carter, a fan who wore a prom outfit inspired by Rihanna’s style. Instead of appreciating the gesture, Rihanna joined others in poking fun at the 16-year-old and her outfit, even using the hashtag #prombat in one of her posts. It must have been really hurtful for Alexis to be ridiculed by someone she looked up to.
Certainly! It sounds like there’s some tension between Rihanna and Teyana Taylor. Teyana has called Rihanna out for what she perceives as cyberbullying, noting that while Rihanna has great music and looks, bullying isn’t justified regardless of someone’s appearance.
As for the situation with TLC, Rihanna reacted strongly to what she saw in the interview, believing they had mentioned her negatively. It’s unclear whether TLC intentionally targeted her or if there was a misunderstanding with the interviewer’s comments. Without more context, it’s hard to judge if Rihanna’s reaction was justified, but she likely felt the need to defend herself based on what she thought was said about her.
