Don’t Apologize Chili, Own It!

So it came out this weekend that Rozonda ‘Chili’ Thomas of TLC was exposed for donating to MAGA affiliated campaigns. Chili, who is one of two surviving members of the legendary musical group, is for all intents and purposes a Black woman. She does have an Indian father but was brought up in the Black American community. She was always seen as that exotic spice in TLC , the darkest complected member with the pretty silky hair.It was her aesthetic alone which made so many appreciate her compared to the wild child Lisa Left Eye and the sensual smooth TBoz. Chili was the eye candy.

Fast forward to 2026, it is a huge deal finding out one of the members of one of the highest selling Black girl groups is MAGA. This goes against so many covenants of Blackness, her card will definitely be up for review at this point. Conservative politics are always touchy for so many in the Black community because too often Conservative aligns with anti Blackness and misogyny. Trump and friends abhor Black people and women as a collective. Their resume is well known at this point. I don’t need receipts.

And neither does Chili, a 55 year old American who was born in the great state of Georgia. She knows good and well who MAGA is and what they represent. She knows how their policies and language impact people who look like her. She knows how hard hit this administration has been towards Black women . And she also knows like the majority of Black celebrities especially Black female celebrities who is her fan base. It is Black women. She truly epitomizes the snake in the grass we speak of . She, along with a few other storied Black women R&b acts are slated to go on a tour this year.

Chili donating to MAGA causes using funds she likely made from her Black women fan base that they use to disenfranchise that same base is something.

So my unpopular opinion is Chili shouldn’t apologize because she meant to do what she did. Own your position even if it hurts. Don’t cry now. Own your support of the administration. Own your support of people who liken women with your beautiful color as monkeys and men as in that MAGA Michelle Obama clip you liked or shared. Own your support of an administration that is doing the most to do the least good for the people of this country. Own it!

And don’t be mad when that fan base stops supporting you. Don’t be mad when the checks stop checking. Don’t be mad when we don’t forgive you. Apologizing after you get called out will never sit right with me for the most part. It is an apology under duress. It is mechanical. It is performative. You don’t believe the bullshit coming out of your mouth. At least owning it shows character. For whatever reasons , MAGA resonated with you. It is your constitutional right to support who you want, own it!1 Don’t be creeping crying waterfalls cause you played crazy, sexy and cool for the scrub Donald! You supported them, own it!