During an exclusive interview with People, Chilli reflected on her past relationship with Usher and how difficult it was for both of them to move on.

“We definitely had some chemistry,” one third of TLC told the publication, when asked about her time with the R&B star. “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.”

“It looked great, but in real life… he knew he had to be a certain way with me and he couldn’t,” Chilli continued. She also denied rumors that Usher’s hit breakup album Confessions is about her, adding, “I was with him at the studio that whole time.” She also revealed that their relationship wasn’t meant to be due to differences in values and trust issues but they still remained off and on for years, reconnecting when they weren’t in other relationships. “I love hard,” Chilli said. “I was like, ‘God, why can’t I get over this?’ He couldn’t either.” 

In 2019, she eventually decided to cut off all contact for good to focus on herself. “I even stopped dating. 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,” the 52-year-old singer said.  “I have no hard feelings.”

According to People, Chilli and Usher famously dated from 2001 to 2004. She also opened up about how happy she is with her new bau Matthew Lawrence. “I have never experienced anything like this,” she admitted.  “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.”