Rochelle Aytes to portray singer who developed the superstar group.
(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for MAXIM)
Another major role has been filled in the VH1 biopic “Crazy, Sexy, Cool: The TLC Story.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, actress Rochelle Aytes is signed on to portray singer Peri “Pebbles” Reid, who was instrumental in the trio’s rise to iconic fame.
In real life, Pebbles went platinum in the '80s as an R&B singer with hits like “Girlfriend” and “Mercedes Boy” in heavy rotation on BET. Following this success, she founded Pebbitone, the Atlanta-based production company credited with discovering and developing TLC, who went quadruple platinum with Ooooooohhh ... On the TLC Tip and became the only girl group to receive the RIAA’s Diamond status with the release of their album CrazySexyCool.
Pebbles was also at the center of the group filing bankruptcy, although she denied all claims of mismanaging TLC’s money. Her then husband L.A. Reid reportedly cites the drama of that era as one of the causes of their divorce.
By the end of the '90s, Pebbles founded Women of God Changing Lives Ministries, and in 2008 she released a gospel album, Prophetic Flows Vol I & II.
Along with all of that fodder for character development, Aytes also brings experience from the set of movies “Madea’s Family Reunion” and “White Chicks,” and plenty of guest-starring TV roles (Desperate Housewives, NCIS, Bones, Half & Half and My Wife and Kids). In May, her starring role in the new ABC drama/mystery Mistress is slated to air.
Plus, she’s playing opposite '80s/'90s veteran Carl Payne (Martin, The Cosby Show), who has been tapped to play L.A. Reid.
In the other major roles, it was recently announced that Keke Palmer is signed on as Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, Lil’ Mama as Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes and Drew Sidora as Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins.
Get ready for the BET Experience, featuring Beyoncé, Snoop Dogg, R. Kelly, Erykah Badu, Kendrick Lamar and many more. Go here for more details and info on how to buy tickets.
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