JACQUE REID: Did you talk to Left Eye before her death about all of this?
CRYSTAL JONES : I did. Left Eye and I had a very, how can I say, intimate moment. We talked, we hugged, she apologized. I told her I understood it was a business. My only let down was that I thought we had a little bit of loyalty. So I figured if I didn’t sign the contract they wouldn’t either, but they went ahead. But, you know, she apologized.
J, ANTHONY BROWN: Would you sing something now?
CRYSTAL JONES : (laughs) I’m sorry?
JACQUE REID: And what happened with your music career beyond that, that moment of not signing that contract?
CRYSTAL JONES : I mean it’s so hard to try to come out with another concept like that, because it was such a great mix. So after that I did try to pursue other things, but it just didn’t work out like that one.
TOM JOYNER: And what are you doing now?
CRYSTAL JONES : Right now, I’m a mom, I work. I’m currently working on a collection of memoirs. And the book is really about my life and my journey and the experiences that I’ve had.
JACQUE REID: Are you going to talk about TLC, that experience in the book?
CRYSTAL JONES : Yes, I am. Yes, I am.
SYBIL WILKES : The real C.
JACQUE REID: (Laugh) Is that the name of it?
CRYSTAL JONES : No, the name is The Awakening of a Shattered Dream.
JACQUE REID: Hmm. What was it like to see TLC rise to the fame that they had? How did that affect you over the years? Knowing what you knew.
CRYSTAL JONES : Well, now that I’m older, I’m very proud of them and I just feel so blessed that I’m able to, you know, myself and my manager at the time, Ian Burke, I’m blessed that we were able to create an image. You know, that everyone would be able to enjoy. And whether or not I was in it is not really that big of a deal to me anymore because I see the business as a business. I don’t see it as entertainment. So I know the business side of it very well.
JACQUE REID: Did it ever bother you at any point?
CRYSTAL JONES : When I was young it did, 18, 19. That’s my life. That’s all I knew. I grew up in a music family. My mother was a classical trained pianist. That’s all I ever knew, I went to the school of the arts.
JAB: Did they ever slip you some cash? Did they ever give you, say; here girl, here’s money?
CRYSTAL JONES : No.
TOM JOYNER: All those Grammies and awards that they won, did they ever thank you?
CRYSTAL JONES : No. Not one time.
JACQUE REID: Would you like, do you feel that they should have? Would that mean something to you? Would it have meant something?
CRYSTAL JONES : That would’ve meant a lot to me. I mean you have no idea. That’s all I’ve ever wanted was a simple thank you so much. That’s it.
SYBIL WILKES : And so now …
CRYSTAL JONES : And I never got it.
SYBIL WILKES : … you are writing, but do you ever see yourself like going to one of those talent shows and restarting your singing career?
CRYSTAL JONES : It’s been asked of me, but I’m just not there right now. I mean that was so long ago. I mean I can’t say what I’m not going to do in the future, but no, not right now. I’m really focused …
SYBIL WILKES : So no X Factor, or no appearance on The Voice?
JAB: Well, why can’t she get back with the group, Sybil? I mean …
JACQUE REID: Do you sing in church?
CRYSTAL JONES : I do sing in church.
JACQUE REID: Okay, well, then sing it for the Lord.
CRYSTAL JONES : That’s something big.
TOM JOYNER: (Laugh) All right.
JACQUE REID: Crystal, thank you for sharing your story with us. We appreciate it.
CRYSTAL JONES : Well, thank you so much for having me.
Original TLC Member Crystal Jones: ‘Everybody That Does Know Me, Knows I Can Sing’ was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
