TLC’s Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas and Matthew Lawrence Are Dating: Relationship Timeline

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TLC's Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas and Matthew Lawrence Are Dating: Relationship Timeline

A match made in ‘90s heaven. Matthew Lawrence is officially dating Chilli following his divorce from Cheryl Burke. The Boy Meets World alum and the TLC singer, whose real name is Rozonda Thomas, started seeing each other romantically in November 2022, three months after her rep told Us Weekly that they were “just friends” when they stepped out together in Hawaii. By the New Year, the twosome were “in love.” "I've been with Chilli since 2005 and I've never seen her this in love," Christal Jordan told People in January 2023. "She is glowing. They are really cute together." The actor’s relationship with the “No Scrubs” musician comes after Burke announced her split from Lawrence in February 2022. Their divorce documents stated their date of separation as January 7, 2022. “I know I have always said I’m an open book with you guys, I do strive to be, and in writing this I’ve realized there really isn’t an easy way to announce that my marriage is ending,” the Dancing With the Stars pro said in a statement at the time. “I hope you can understand that I will not be commenting any further at this time and am asking for understanding and privacy. Thank you all for all the kind words and support you’ve given me.” [jwplayer Syejvw7m-zhNYySv2] Burke, who cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the breakup, later alleged that Lawrence was being “cruel” by forcing them to go to trial over custody of their dog, Ysabella. “We have to go to trial — unless he all of a sudden calls it off — but that will happen in January [2023]. … I am still really hurt by the whole situation because that is my dog. Ysabella is my daughter; I am a dog mom,” she said on her “Burke in the Game” podcast in October 2022, the same month the former spouses finalized their divorce. “I couldn’t even imagine my life without her. I could just cry right now.” As Lawrence and Chilli went Instagram official on New Year’s Eve 2022, Burke gave her followers an update on how she was coping following the tough year. “I made it through the year that did everything it could to try and break me, and there were a lot of moments where I thought I would break, but here I AM,” the dancer wrote on December 31. “2022 was a year filled with the most ups, downs & heartbreak (if I’m being honest) that I have ever experienced, but I wouldn’t be who or where I am today without those life experiences … I’m eager to move forward, to no longer be defined by my past, and SO ready to start the next chapter of my life. 2023, LET’S SHOW ‘EM HOW IT’S DONE!” Scroll through for Chilli and Lawrence’s relationship timeline:

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August 2022

As his divorce from Burke continued to make headlines, Chilli and Lawrence were seen together in Hawaii on August 8, with her rep telling Us that they were “just friends.”

“TLC had a show in Hawaii and has been touring most of the summer. There was a group that went to the beach,” Jordan said in a statement at the time. “Chilli simply wanted to get some sun after being on planes and tour buses for the last few weeks. TLC had a few more stateside shows before heading to Australia.”

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November 2022

The singer’s rep confirmed that the pair’s connection turned romantic shortly before Thanksgiving.

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December 2022

Lawrence spent Christmas in Atlanta with Chilli’s family.

Credit: Courtesy of Rozonda Chilli Thomas/Instagram

December 2022

The twosome went Instagram official on New Year’s Eve with a video in matching onesies.

Credit: Blair Raughley/Invision/AP/Shutterstock/John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock

January 2023

"Chilli has this permanent smile on her face, she’s so happy and telling everyone she really likes Matthew," a source exclusively told Us. "He’s equally smitten and it’s very clear to everyone around them that what they have together has a huge amount of potential."

The insider added: "They didn’t intend for things to move as quickly, it was a go-with-the-flow situation but right away, they just clicked and wanted to be together as often as possible. They’re both very optimistic and excited though, it’s an incredibly happy time for them right now.”

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February 2023

The duo were spotted packing on the PDA outside of LAX in photos obtained by Daily Mail.

Credit: Tony DiMaio/Startraks; Roger Wong/INFphoto/INSTAR

March 2023

"That's the game plan. That's what we're trying to do," the actor revealed to Entertainment Tonight when asked about expanding his family with Chilli. "My life is in complete bloom right now. I get to spend time with an amazing woman like Chilli. I've never gotten to be able to experience that kind of relationship before. She's really, really special."

Credit: Shutterstock; inset: Courtesy of Chilli/Instagram

March 2023

Lawrence shed more light on his comments about wanting to possibly start a family with Chilli, telling E! News that he didn't intend to "pressure" his new flame. "She's an amazing person," he gushed. "She's already a mother, she has an incredible son. I respect so much as to how she's raised him. She'd be an incredible mother again, and I'd be incredibly lucky but that's way in the future."

Credit: Splash News; Dave Proctor/Startraks

March 2023

After the Mrs. Doubtfire child star gushed about his intentions to start a family with Chilli, the singer remained coy about their next steps.

“You never know,” Chilli said during a March 17 appearance on the “Ryan Cameron Uncensored” radio show when asked about potentially having more kids. “I would never say that [I’m done]. I gotta be married for sure — and I’m not married, yet!”

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March 2023

A source told Us in March that the “Brotherly Love Pod” host “couldn’t be happier” in his romance with Chili. “Their chemistry is off the charts and he feels like he can totally be himself with her,” the insider exclusively revealed. “Their relationship couldn't be better and he can't wait to see what the future holds for them.”

As the pair’s bond deepens, Lawrence’s brothers Joey and Andrew Lawrence have already given their stamp of approval. “His brothers absolutely adore her and they completely approve of their relationship,” the source added. “In fact, they have never seen him so happy as he is with her. Matthew loves how well she gets along with his family, they hang out all the time and she fits right in. That is something he really values in their relationship because his brothers are everything to him.”