Chilli is still on the hunt for love, and her viewers get a glimpse of that on her dating-themed reality show every week. But recently, there were whispers that the former TLC member was dating your auntie’s middle-school crush, El DeBarge.

Yes, the story went that the two had been dating months before DeBarge entered rehab. And he was believed to be “out of control,” blaming his management for stealing money from him. Then he fired his entire team, which I suppose added stress to their relationship.

The news sort of came out of nowhere, and now we know why: It’s not true.

A rep for Chilli issued the following statement: “El DeBarge and Chilli are friends and have been for awhile. She wishes him all the best.”

So don’t worry, the new episode of What Chilli Wants will not be watched in vain!

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Tionna Smalls is back to help Chilli find a man. Last season we thought Chilli settled on Bill but one of two things probably happened: Either she decided that she genuinely wasn’t into him, which could be true because of how picky she is or, the ratings were probably so good that when approached about doing a season two, he had to go. It could be a combination of both but I digress. Season two is right around the corner. Check out the supertrailer:

Tionna Smalls, the dating coach from What Chilli Wants, spoke to VIBE recently and said that the blogs have it wrong when it comes to the drama between she and Chilli. Reports spread through the blogosphere like wildfire when What Chilli Wants first began airing, that Tionna Smalls and Chilli had a major dispute. Smalls says that there was a disagreement but that everything is fine now:

“We had a little bit of a disagreement but we don’t have issues anymore. Everybody keeps talking about a fight that did not happen. I cannot fight Chilli she’s too little,” Smalls quips. “When it comes down to why we don’t talk, we’re both very busy. It’s like if she needs me again I’ll be there and if I need her she’ll be there [but] we’re not besties.”

Smalls said that she and Chilli only met once prior to the show. During that meeting, they discussed Chilli’s romantic goals but after that it was showtime. The interaction that everyone witnesses on the show stayed consistent after taping. Smalls says that this is why people blew it out of proportion:

“People don’t understand that me and Chilli weren’t friends when we started this process. We really got to know each other as you got to watch us going through it on the show,” Smalls says. “And sometimes people disagree. If somebody says something you don’t like and vice versa then you argue.”

She also said this about her outspoken personality:

“Everybody thinks in this business you gotta be phony to make it and I’m just trying to make it without being that way and selling my soul,” Smalls tells VIBE. “I’m the type of girl where I don’t care who you are or what kind of person you are?I don’t care about people’s résumés. If I’m mad, I’m mad, that’s it. Any time [Chilli] showed me shade, we had an argument.”

Aside from the show, Smalls is already working on another show where she will serve behind the camera as producer, and she has a major book deal in the works (with a company that she didn’t disclose) to reprint her self-published book, Girl, Get Your Mind Right!

It sounds like Smalls has a great master plan. Will she succeed, or is her personality too over-the-top?

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If you caught the premiere of Chilli’s VH1 reality series, What Chilli Wants, you noticed that the TLC star’s personality is a stark contrast to that of her dating assistant guru, author Tionna Smalls.

Chilli’s like the soft spoken yet assertive type. By contrast, Tionna is loud, blunt assertive, loud, and even louder.

That said, I’m not surprised there are rumors that the two now can’t stand each other.

A reader sent a letter to blogger Necole Bitchie claiming that it seemed as if Chilli recently looked as if she didn’t want to be in the same room as Tionna during a press interview for the show.

Necole then said the following in response:

I have heard a few whispers of these two not getting along. Just recently, I heard that Tionna wasn’t invited to attend the viewing of the show in Atlanta but it was pretty much confirmed that there was a bit of a riff when I listened to an interview of Chilli’s over at KNCI 88.1.

The interviewers asked her was she and Tionna still cool because they heard Tionna popping off at the mouth in recent interviews and Chilli’s response was basically “I really enjoyed working with her. Whether you like the situation or not, you have to be a humble person and some people have to learn the hard way. You can’t tell people certain things. I’m not going to be mean or ugly and say anything bad about anybody. Time shows everybody.”

Based on what Tionna said to Bossip about their alleged beef it seems as if those two truly don’t like each other.

Here’s what she said about that and her new project:

According to Tionna she will be the creative producer of a new VH1 reality show titled Boss Chicks which will follow prominent women in different cities making major moves.

While she was unable to disclose details on the production, she did sign the contract in front of her family and friends who helped her celebrate with an old-fashioned BK house party. Tionna also stated that she has no comment towards the “Chilli” beef that media is putting out there, but she did say in due time it will all be said.

Their beef off camera may be more interesting than the actual show.

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Last night VH1 premiered three new celebreality shows, and while the first episode of any show is sometimes too early to gauge whether it will be good or not, I still have my mind made up. The three shows premiered were Brandy & Ray J: Family Business, Basketball Wives and What Chilli Wants. Here’s a breakdown of each.

Brandy & Ray J: Family Business

Viewers were introduced to the Norwoods as a family, not the celebrities. They’re in a space where now that Brandy and Ray J are grown, mama and papa Norwood, who have been consumed by grooming their children’s careers for the past 15 years, are letting go. Brandy and Ray must make their own decisions while their parents try to rekindle the spark that faded in their marriage.

I liked watching the Norwoods interact with each other, but they don’t seem off the wall enough. That’s a sad assessment to make because more good Black family images are needed on TV, but I’m not sure if this show will last, unless Ray J’s zany antics are enough to carry them over to a second season. However, I am interested in watching Brandy get back into her music career. I hope that works out for her.

Basketball Wives

Basketball Wives was pretty much along the lines of The Real Housewives of Atlanta–spoiled women who inherited money and businesses by association displaying catty and wild behavior (not all, but a good amount of them). Shaunie O’Neal was the nucleus of the ladies. She tried to bring them together hoping that they would hit it off, but so far, not so much. Last night’s episode was only an introduction, but there will be more drama. Between Shaunie attempting to be cool with the sister of her husband’s alleged mistress and Royce turning everywhere she goes into a mini strip club with her raunchy dancing, viewers already know that the real foolishness is coming soon.

What Chilli Wants

The goal of this show is to help Chilli find a man, but the problem is that she’s impossibly picky (she might as well be looking to date Jesus) and her “dating expert” is a random self-published “book author” who seems like more of a personality than an actual expert. In short, I liked Let’s Talk About Pep better because it came from a girlfriends’ standpoint, Pep was more mature and flexible, and the experts seemed more credible.

Did you watch any of those shows last night, and what are your thoughts?

We are inching closer and closer to Chilli’s long-awaited (?) dating reality series on VH1, What Chilli Wants.

We’re so close that the network has decided to leak a three-minute trailer in order to boost interest in the show.

First off, shout out to Tionna Smalls for working in a book club less than thirty seconds into the clip.  I’m not mad at you. Not mad at all.

As for the rest of the clip, I have to say I’m a bit over the concept of a celebrity looking for love and attention (from us, the viewers).

But, I do appreciate the fact that producers have flipped the show a little bit to concentrate on Chilli having such high standards for men. Like the whole “no eating pork thing.” Granted, I live by the adage “no pork in my fork,” too, but I wouldn’t hold out on dating someone for a slab of bacon on their plate, would you?

And I love the celebrity cameos like T-Boz and Missy. Shout to Missy for the line, “No man is going to meet your standards. Date Jesus.” That’s one of her best lines period and she didn’t need a Timbaland beat to deliver.

All and all, yeah the concept has become trite but this trailer makes the show appealing.

I’ll be checking out the premiere on April 11. Will you?

Excuse the political sermons that follow Chilli’s comments. I only wanted you all to hear what she has to say about her upcoming reality show.

Honestly, these reality dating shows seem exhausting to me, but everyone keeps watching so one can’t knock the hustle.  I will say, though, I’m encouraged to hear Chilli speak about her show as if she’s going to try to put a spin on a trite plot. Then again, she stressed how much the show is “for the ladies” so maybe she’s more interested in my sister watching the show than I am.

In any event, given Chilli’s solo dreams with Akon came and went, if she’s too maintain any viability in the press this show is going to need some oomph to it. Judging from her assistant, Tionne Small’s comments about Ciara cutting up a while back, I’m guessing we can count on her for it.

Did anyone else pick up on Chilli’s rumored boyfriend, Floyd Mayweather, speaking to the cameras in a spot highlighting Chilli’s dating reality show. C’mon nah, ya’ll, at least stick with the gimmick for the show.

I guess if you’re a singer from a 90s R&B group looking to remain relevant as we inch closer to 2010 and beyond your best bet is to get yourself a reality show and let producers work their magic.

Chilli is joining Flavor Flav, New York, Bret Michaels, and Ray-J in a search for “love” (of attention).

And if you’re a single man in Atlanta Chill is looking for you.

Here’s the casting call:

She is known as a superstar around the world. Her exotic looks have been featured in People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful.” She is a Pop and R&B Legend, and one of the best selling artists of all time… and she is looking for one man to show her some TLC.

Known to millions of fans worldwide as a music icon who put the “sexy” in CrazySexyCool, she has the fame, the fan-mail, and the friends to last a lifetime. Her name is CHILLI, and she is ready to meet the man whose heart of gold can shine with her own.

Doron Ofir Casting, in association with FremantleMedia North America and VH1, are seeking eligible bachelors of caliber for the possible introduction to a legendary artist who is ready to groove with the man of her dreams.

Are you worthy of meeting the woman behind the music, behind the reputation, behind the stardom? Get ready to meet the real deal, because once you take away all the fame, a remarkable woman awaits you.

Now casting single men who appear to be between the ages of 25 and 40, who have the sex appeal, personality, good looks, success and heart to date a major music artist who is looking to find her true love.

To apply:

Email your Name, Telephone Number, and several Recent Pictures to TheChilliProject@gmail.com

Chill wants a single man in ATLANTA that’s looking for a woman…to date.

Why not look like for a rib at a candy store while you’re at it?

I remember the days when VH1 used to be the network for old heads who couldn’t stomach the videos found on MTV.

Not that I’m complaining about the shift over at VH1, but more and more it seems to be becoming the network for fading Black celebrities of yesterdecade to get a date with someone any person with a clue knows they don’t really care about.

That being said, add Chilli and Pepa to the list as both have announced new series centered on them finding a date…with a camera man and some stand-in.

Variety reports that the untitled Pepa project will chronicle Salt’s friend as she will follow “as she starts to look for love after four years of a “self-imposed romantic and sexual dormancy.”

Why not just say help her get some, because that doesn’t sound like something Pepa would say. What does that sound too crass? Whatever, this is VH1.

As for Chilli, her entitled series will follow her as she enlists the help of relationships expert Tionna Smalls to find love.

If this is what Chilli’s doing now, I guess plans for a solo album are on hold.

Eh, I’m actually a little interested in Pepa’s show, though. She’s like that mama that thinks she’s cool that will push you out of the way on the dance floor at the club to have more run to do the stanky legg.

Hilarity (albeit in a sad way) is coming.

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