If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the photos. Two 90s icons looking impossibly young, grinning on a beach or dancing in matching onesies. It’s a total nostalgia trip. But beyond the aesthetics, the question of who is Chilli from TLC dating has actually become one of the most stable, surprisingly wholesome stories in Hollywood right now.
Honestly, it's Matthew Lawrence. Yes, the middle brother from Mrs. Doubtfire and the guy you remember from Boy Meets World.
They aren't just "dating" in the casual, Hollywood-rebound sense. As of early 2026, they’ve been together for over three years, and they’ve just taken their relationship to a very public, professional level. They are currently co-hosting a new reality series on Hallmark+ called Second Chance Love. It’s a show where they help other former couples try to reconnect in Sardinia, Italy. It’s pretty meta when you think about it—two people who found a second (or third) chance at love later in life helping others do the same.
Why the Matthew Lawrence Connection Actually Works
People were shocked when they first went Instagram official on New Year’s Eve back in 2022. It felt like a random crossover episode. But if you look at their history, it makes a lot of sense.
Chilli, or Rozonda Thomas, has always been notoriously picky. Like, famously so. During the height of TLC’s fame, she was known for her "list" of requirements for a man—no drinking, no smoking, must have a certain level of fitness, must share her faith. She didn't settle. For years, she was single because she simply refused to compromise on those standards.
Then comes Matthew. He’s 45 now (Chilli is 54, though she looks like she’s discovered the Fountain of Youth), and he’s been through the Hollywood ringer too. He was married to Dancing with the Stars pro Cheryl Burke for a few years before they split in 2022.
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What’s wild is how they communicate. They recently went on The Sherri Shepherd Show and admitted they don’t really fight. They have disagreements, sure, but they don't yell. Lawrence mentioned that he’s been in relationships where there was a lot of "back and forth" and shouting, but with Chilli, there’s too much respect for that. She joked that her "acid reflux is set up" in a way that requires things to be easy. It's that kind of "mature love" that makes this stick.
A Look Back: The Men Before Matthew
To understand why this relationship is such a big deal, you have to remember who came before. Chilli’s dating history isn’t long, but it’s high-profile.
- Dallas Austin: This was the formative one. He was the producer for TLC, and their relationship almost got her kicked out of the group because their manager, Pebbles, didn't want the "distraction." They have a son together, Tron Austin, who is now a grown man. That relationship was rocky, filled with a lot of young-fame drama and infidelity on Dallas's part.
- Usher: This was the "it" couple of the early 2000s. If you watched the "U Got It Bad" music video, you saw the chemistry. It was electric. They dated from 2001 to 2004, and fans were devastated when they broke up. For years, people thought Usher’s Confessions album was entirely about her (she’s since clarified it wasn't, mostly).
For a long time after Usher, Chilli was just... Chilli. She did a reality show called What Chilli Wants, where she looked for love with the help of a matchmaker, but nothing really landed. She stayed focused on her son and her fitness brand.
The Professional Pivot: Second Chance Love
Most celeb couples stay away from working together. It’s usually the "kiss of death" for a relationship. But Chilli and Matthew seem to be leaning into it.
On their Hallmark+ show, they serve as both hosts and executive producers. They’ve talked about how easy the workflow was while filming in Italy. They look out for each other—simple things, like making sure the other person has water or isn't getting "hangry" during a long shoot.
There's a specific kind of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) they bring to a show about dating. They aren't 22-year-old influencers. They are people in their 40s and 50s who have survived public breakups and divorces. When they tell a couple on the show to "pay attention to red flags," it doesn't sound like a script. It sounds like someone who has actually been there.
Is Marriage on the Table?
This is the question everyone asks. Chilli has never been married. Not once.
In recent interviews, she’s been more open about it than ever before. She’s said that she no longer fears marriage because of the foundation she has with Matthew. She credits their shared faith and the fact that they were friends first. Matthew has echoed this, saying he wouldn't have been ready for a woman like her in his 20s. He needed the maturity that comes with age to actually appreciate what she brings to the table.
What You Should Take Away
The fascination with who is Chilli from TLC dating isn't just about celebrity gossip. It’s actually a pretty good case study in holding out for what you want.
- Don't lower your standards. Chilli waited nearly two decades between serious, public relationships because she knew what she needed.
- Timing is everything. Both of them admit they wouldn't have worked if they met ten years ago.
- Communication over conflict. The "no-fighting" rule might sound crazy, but it’s really just about choosing to de-escalate rather than "win" an argument.
If you’re looking to follow their journey more closely, keep an eye on Hallmark+. Their show Second Chance Love is probably the best glimpse you’ll get into how they actually interact when the cameras are (mostly) off. You can also catch them on Instagram, where they still post those slightly-cheesy-but-very-cute dance videos that started the whole frenzy in the first place.
Basically, they’re happy. And in the world of TLC and 90s nostalgia, that’s a win we can all get behind.