Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas knew that her romance with Usher wasn’t constructed for the lengthy haul.
Whereas Usher lately admitted he was heartbroken when the TLC singer, 53, turned down his proposal within the early ‘00s, a supply completely tells Us Weekly that followers do not know what really went down between the pair throughout their romance.
“So many individuals had been upset with Chilli when Usher shared that she turned down his proposal however they don’t know the total story,” the insider explains. “She clearly beloved him — all the world is aware of that — however she has all the time been satisfied that marriage was sacred and he or she didn’t need to find yourself divorced.”
The supply notes that Chilli “knew” the connection would’ve “ended up in divorce” with the “manner it was at the moment,” and for the “Waterfalls” musician, “That will’ve been a good larger heartbreak.”
Chilli and Usher, 45, initially met in 1993 however didn’t begin relationship till practically a decade later. After getting collectively in 2001, the pair had been collectively for 3 years earlier than calling it quits in 2004.
Earlier this yr, Usher revealed that he wished to take the connection to the following stage, however Chilli in the end rejected the proposal. “I wished to marry her. I proposed and he or she advised me no. I went by means of an excessive amount of ache after that, not trusting ladies or eager to open up,” he advised Individuals in February, noting that the state of affairs “broke my coronary heart.”
Following their breakup, Usher went on to launch the album Confessions, which left many speculating that the themes of dishonest had been in relation to errors he made in with Chilli. Songwriter Jermaine Dupre fueled rumours additional when he mentioned how Usher’s private life was the true inspiration for the songs.
Chilli, nonetheless, clarified that that the file was not impressed by the duo’s romance — and that they had been nonetheless collectively whereas it was being recorded.
“All of these songs on Confessions, that was about Jermaine Dupri’s state of affairs,” she completely advised Us in 2013. “Usher was simply singing it. However individuals type of purchased into it, it was simply the timing of our breakup when the album got here out.”
She continued, “So individuals assumed that album was about us, nevertheless it was not. And Usher and I weren’t oil and water. We broke up as a result of I assume it was that point or no matter. He was that actual love for me.”
Chilli later admitted that regardless of calling it quits, she and the “Yeah” singer stayed in contact over time earlier than she lower off all contact in 2019 to “give attention to herself.”
“I even stopped relationship. As a result of earlier than that I believed if I met the best man throughout that point that I wasn’t over [Usher] it wouldn’t work,” she recalled to Individuals in June 2023. “I’d by no means need to straddle the fence.”
Each Usher and Chilli have since moved on. Usher tied the knot with Tameka Foster in 2007 and the duo welcomed two youngsters collectively earlier than their 2009 break up. He additionally was married to Grace Miguel from 2015 to 2018 earlier than he started relationship Jenn Goicoechea. The pair expanded their household with two youngsters born in 2020 and 2021.
Chilli, for her half, discovered love with Matthew Lawrence in November 2022. When requested in Could 2023 if she has discovered her “without end accomplice” within the Boy Meets World alum, the singer advised Us, “For positive.”
Lawrence additionally will get alongside together with her son, Tron, 25, whom she shares with ex Dallas Austin, which is an added bonus. “All people will get alongside,” she stated. “My son approves. I imply, it’s all nice.”
With reporting by Sarah Jones