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TLC’s former manager is furious about the way she was portrayed in VH1‘s CrazySexyCool biopic about the girl group, and her attorney is demanding a retraction of certain statements and scenes from the TV movie.
“The movie contains many false and defamatory statements and scenes about me,” Perri “Pebbles” Reid wrote in a statement posted on her personal website. “Please know that I have never cheated or mislead anyone. I will defend my reputation, accomplishments, and character. My attorney is in the process of demanding a retraction of the false and defamatory statements and scenes about me from VH1.”
STORY: How VH1 and Epic Went All in With TLC and What’s Next
Although the movie aired more than a week ago, L.A. Reid‘s ex-wife said it’s taken her this long to respond because she’s been gathering her thoughts.
“I have always been a private person and this unprovoked attack has been extremely upsetting to me and my family,” she writes in her statement. “I have needed time to spend with my family and for personal reflection.”
Pebbles goes on to explain that she will be sharing her story “in the appropriate venue at the appropriate time” and says she’s “extremely proud” of TLC’s success, noting that she “discovered, managed and mentored the group.”
STORY: VH1’s TLC Telepic ‘CrazySexyCool’ Tops Cable Ratings
“I helped push open doors for TLC and other women in this male dominated industry,” she writes. “My sacrifices ultimately opened the door for not only a new wave of female performers in this industry but also a new generation of female executives. That backdrop makes the movie extremely personally upsetting to me.”
The film portrays Pebbles, played by Rochelle Aytes, as a parasite who knowingly swindled millions from the group.
Although Pebbles waited to speak out, her son Aaron Reid tweeted that he didn’t like the way his mom was portrayed in the film.
The VH1 biopic was masterminded by TLC’s current manager Bill Diggins as part of a massive comeback attempt that also included a new album, 20, featuring the group’s greatest hits and some new songs, which was released on Oct. 15 and received a big sales boost from the movie. Surviving members Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas and Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins also shared their story with screenwriter Kate Lanier (Glitter).
T-Boz and Chilli served as producers, too, with Diggins insisting to The Hollywood Reporter that the movie is an accurate portrayal of what happened.
“[They] told [their story] accurately and they told it in a way that, at some points, wasn’t so flattering to them,” he said. “They wanted the truth to be told, so I would say that you’re not going to get a more accurate depiction of these girls’ lives from anybody. This is the good, the bad and the ugly.”
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