LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, who notably dated Usher from 2001 to 2004, explained why their romance fizzled despite having "chemistry." The 52-year-old, who has apparently since moved on and is now happily in love with partner Matthew Lawrence, 43, said she "definitely had some chemistry" with the 'Confessions' singer in an interview with People while promoting the premiere of Lifetime's new documentary 'TLC Forever'.
Chilli hasn't been in a high-profile romance since she famously dated Usher in the 2000s. When asked about her relationship with the R&B star, she responded, "We definitely had some chemistry. But working chemistry does not mean it works in your personal life. If we were working, it was great. But outside of that, we're so different."
Chilli, Usher, and the relationship never meant to be
Chilli, whose real name is Rozonda Thomas, commented on how much support they had from their followers, saying, "It looked great, but in real life... he knew he had to be a certain way with me and he couldn't." Although she refutes claims that his successful breakup album 'Confessions' is about her, and said, "I was with him at the studio the whole time," Chilli also claimed that they were never meant to be together because of different moral standards and trust issues. Nevertheless, they stayed in contact for years, getting back in touch when they were not in relationships with others.
'TLC Forever' star's struggle to get over Usher
Despite terminating their widely publicized romance 15 years earlier, the 'TLC' singer recently revealed that she and the 'Confessions' crooner remained in touch until 2019. "I love hard," the 52-year-old told People. "I was like, 'God, why can't I get over this?' He couldn’t either." Chilli claimed that she ended communication with her ex "to focus on myself." "I even stopped dating," she said, adding, "Because before that I thought if I met the right guy during that time that I wasn’t over [Usher] it wouldn’t work. I would never want to straddle the fence." Usher, however, tied the knot to Tameka Foster from 2007 to 2009 and Grace Harry from 2015 to 2018. The musician couple split up three years after they started dating in 2001, but Chilli claimed they were in contact till 2019.
'Never experienced anything like this'
Chilli has discovered love once more as she is now dating 'Boy Meets World' alum, Matthew Lawrence. The 43-year-old Lawrence "has changed everything, the way I look at relationships," the four-time Grammy winner gushed to Page Six in April. It seems like she has never been more satisfied in life or in love. "I have never experienced anything like this," she revealed to People, adding, "He wants to be the best guy he can be and who God wants him to be. God willing one day we’ll get married."
