June 28, 2004

TLC Looking To Replace Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes

By Jennifer Vineyard (MTV.com)

Some two years after the death of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, the surviving members of TLC are moving on -- by putting together a reality show to find her replacement.

Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas are signing on the dotted line this week with FOX Television Studios, sources familiar with the deal say, for a show that would document their search for a new member to join them for recordings and possibly a televised concert. The show does not yet have a network commitment nor a premiere date. Details are expected next week.

Following Lopes' passing, T-Boz and Chilli completed the fourth TLC album, 3D, without her, but made sure to pay tribute to their friend by using her previously recorded vocals in five of the songs. They also incorporated a few Left Eye-inspired images, such as the painted black mark under the eye as well as her name on clothes and clubs, in their videos for "Girl Talk" and "Hands Up."

The group played what was to be its farewell concert -- despite shouting out that "TLC is forever" on the 3D song "Dirty Dirty" -- seven months after the album's release.

"We take it video by video and project by project," T-Boz told MTV News at the time. "Lisa isn't here -- that's reality. It's not easy to come up with how to incorporate her."