Matthew Lawrence officially started Chilli following his divorce from Cheryl Burke.
The actor 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.”
Lawrence’s relationship with Chilli comes after Burke announced her split from him in February 2022. Their divorce documents stated their date of separation as January 7, 2022.
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.
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:
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.”
November 2022
The singer’s rep confirmed that the pair’s connection turned romantic shortly before Thanksgiving.
December 2022
Lawrence spent Christmas in Atlanta with Chilli’s family.
December 2022
The twosome went Instagram official on New Year’s Eve with a video in matching onesies.
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.”
February 2023
The duo were spotted packing on the PDA outside of LAX in photos obtained by Daily Mail.
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.”
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.”
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!”
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.”
April 2023
“It’s real and there is nothing fake about it,” the TLC singer told Page Six about her romance with Lawrence. “I’m here with him because I wanna be and he wants to be. We’re just so happy, we really are. I honestly didn’t think that I would experience what I’m experiencing now, and I was OK with that. He has changed everything [about] the way I look at relationships. It’s so different.”
January 2024
The couple shared a photo of them kissing one year after they became Instagram official.
January 2025
Lawrence and Chilli packed on the PDA as they counted down the last seconds of 2024 and welcomed a new year. The actor shared a video of the moment via his Instagram and captioned it,“HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 🎊 Hoping 2025 brings many blessings to everyone 🙌🏼”