Better question: Can TLC keep from imploding? "I hope so," says Shimmel. "The yin and the yang of what pushes at TLC also keeps them together—and they're still together." For now, anyway. But given Lopes' penchant for playing with fire, both literally and metaphorically, how long can that last?

(Additional reporting by Craig Seymour)

An excerpt from LISA "LEFT EYE" LOPES' Nov. 11 letter to EW:

...Let it be understood that I am interested in making multimillion-dollar business deals. It seems that my two group members are not. This poses a serious conflict. Therefore, I propose The Challenge.

I challenge Tionne "Player" Watkins and Rozonda "Hater" Thomas to an album entitled The Challenge. A 3 CD set that contains three solo albums. Each...will be due to the record label by October 1, 2000.... I also challenge [TLC's producer] Dallas "The Manipulator" Austin...to produce all of the material and do it at a fraction of his normal rate. As I think about it, I'm sure LaFace [Records] would not mind throwing in a 1.5 million dollar prize for the winner.... Billboard will determine the winner....

After careful analysis of the tangled political web woven by my associates, I place the burden of TLC's future in their hands. The challenge is on the table ladies and gentlemen....

Sincerely,
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes

Originally posted Nov 26, 1999 Published in issue #514 Nov 26, 1999 Order article reprints
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