Chilli grew up without ever knowing her father. She didn't even so much as know her racial background. She was never sure of what she was mixed with. While in grade school, she had to endure the names that other kids called her such as 'wetback' and 'black jap.' Her mother, Ava, tried to tell Chilli as much as she possibly could about her father but it wasn't really enough.
In August of 1995, TLC made an appearance on MTV's Past, present and future and during the interview, Chilli mentioned that her big dream was to one day find her real father. The producers of the Sally Jessy Raphael Show were watching and they launched a search for Abdul Ali, a man who had abandoned Chilli's mother in 1971. After six months of searching, they found Ali in February of 1996 and Chilli finally got to meet her Dad for the first time when she was 25.
"I got on the flight and actually he met me like half way to his house, I got out the car, and he got out and he just grabbed me and I couldn't really see him cause, you know, he just grabbed me... And I was just like "Oh my God... This is my Dad!" But I was still like "This is my Dad??" cause this is a man I've never seen in my life..."
- Chilli, Behind the Music.
- Chilli, Behind the Music.
Chilli made and appearance on the Sally Jessy Raphael show on an episode titled "I'm desperate to find my family." There, she was reunited with her half brothers and sisters. It was very emotional for her.
"It just all came together and I feel so whole now."
- Chilli, Sally Show.
"I'm still so thankful to have this man in my life."
- Chilli, Sally Show.
Return to the Chilli's Angel web site.