Toni Braxton dropped a bombshell when she said that she was done with music. In the weeks following her announcement, the R&B icon has received an outpouring of support from her peers. While hosting her sister Tamar’s Backyard Boogie Baby Shower at the Hotel Bel-Air, the oldest Braxton spoke out about her leave of absence from the industry.
“I’m kinda still on the done with music side, but we’ll see,” she told Rap-Up TV. “I haven’t done any recording, nothing in the studio.”
Some of her famous friends including Anita Baker, Babyface, and Missy Elliott have tried to encourage her to get back in the studio. “Missy called me. [She said], ‘I’ll be in town, come by, just come say hi,’” she shared. “They’re kinda tryna push me to do something. But I love them for that and it makes me feel so much better ’cause I don’t feel so alone.”
She’s not the only superstar who fell out of love with music. “Someone told me Barbra Streisand, who is like the queen bee, felt the same way, but she didn’t do it for 10 years,” said Toni.
Even if it takes that long, she sees the silver lining. “Maybe I’ll be a better singer ’cause I feel like Barbra got even better, so we’ll see.”
Tamar Braxton was surrounded by friends and family at her Backyard Boogie Baby Shower at Hotel Bel-Air on Sunday. Rap-Up TV was on the scene as the glowing mom-to-be arrived to the carnival-themed party in a white DVF dress.
Her husband Vincent and sister Toni hosted the lavish event, which will air on an upcoming episode of her WE tv reality show.
Tamar’s mother Evelyn and sisters Towanda, Traci, and Trina showed up fashionably late. Trina sported a pink onesie in honor of the occasion, which prompted Tamar to ask, “What the hell are you wearing?”
T.I. and his wife Tiny sent their love to the parents-to-be, while Toni was the last sister to arrive. She shared her advice for Tamar, who’s been telling her to buy yellow items.
“She’s having a boy… She says yellow, but I think it’s a boy,” said the oldest Braxton.
Before she gives birth to her baby, Tamar will deliver her new Biggie-sampled single “The One” on Tuesday. The video was shot last month on the beach in Santa Monica. “I saw the video for the first time last night. It’s amazing. The whole movement behind ‘The One’ is throwback and it’s so, so great. I can’t wait for everybody to see it,” she said.
All five of the Braxton sisters—and their mother Evelyn—worked the red carpet at the season 3 premiere of their WE tv reality series, “Braxton Family Values,” in New York on Wednesday. Fresh off announcing her pregnancy on television, a glowing Tamar showed off her baby bump with husband Vince by her side.
Her sister Toni was radiant in a red pantsuit as she posed with her younger sisters. Even Lil’ Kim showed love to the ladies by making an appearance.
“Thank You so much for coming out to support us, it really means a lot!” tweeted Trina Braxton, to which Kim replied, “Anytime. I love U guys!!!”
The third season of “Braxton Family Values” premieres tonight at 9 p.m.
Toni Braxton was in the spotlight on last night’s “20/20.” The Grammy-winning diva opened up about her two bankruptcies, posing for Playboy, and her medical conditions.
The 45-year-old singer, who was addicted to spending money on high-end goods for her home, has became more cautious in recent years. “I have to monitor myself ’cause I’m definitely on a budget,” she said.
She also debated posing for Playboy when times got rough, but decided against it because of her sons. “What are their friends gonna say?”
One month after she renewed her contract for her Las Vegas show, she was diagnosed with Microvascular angina and later Lupus. “The doctor told me I would never be able to perform,” said Toni, who defeated the odds.
When asked why her last three albums didn’t sell as well, she laughed, “That’s like a one-night stand that you don’t want to talk about.”
Watch Toni sit down and share some candid confessions.
Toni Braxton’s life was made for a “Behind the Music” special. The sultry songstress, who has sold over 60 million records worldwide and won six Grammys, opened up about everything from bankruptcy (“I was humiliated”) to battling lupus to her son’s autism last night on VH1.
The preacher’s daughter got her start with her sisters The Braxtons, but was eventually faced with the tough decision of choosing family over a solo career and living with the guilt. She also reflected on getting reprimanded by Oprah on national television, finding love, and starting a family, with commentary from those who know her best including Babyface, L.A. Reid, her sisters, and mother.
Watch Toni share her story in the full “Behind the Music” episode.
Toni Braxton stepped out with her son Diezel to a taping of “The Wendy Williams Show” on Monday. The Grammy-winning singer chatted with the self-proclaimed “Queen of All Media” about returning for a third season of WE tv’s “Braxton Family Values,” her rumored romance with Eddie Murphy (“We’re just friends”), new dance single “I Heart You,” and taking Prince’s advice and releasing her next album Heartstrings & Synagogue Vibes independently.
“I’m listening to Prince,” she told Wendy. “He said, ‘Toni, you should do it yourself. Record companies are great, but the new movement is Internet and put it out all digital and you don’t really need them for that,’ so wish me luck. I’m going out on a limb.”
Toni, who has been named the United Nations ambassador for autism, was also on hand to illuminate the Empire State Building in blue in recognition of World Autism Awareness Month (Toni’s son is autistic).
Toni Braxton dances back into your heart with the Bille Woodruff-directed video for “I Heart You,” her self-penned and produced single off her upcoming album Heartstrings & Synagogue Vibes. The Grammy-winning diva sets the dance floor on fire, showcasing her sultry vocals over the electro beat. Looking gorgeous in a number of sexy outfits, the 44-year-old singer seduces the camera and busts out a few dance moves of her own.
“When I wrote this song I was thinking about the feeling you get when you walk into a club and you hear the melody,” said the star of WE tv’s “Braxton Family Values.” “You feel the beat and you just know it’s going to be a good night.”
Watch Toni burn up the screen in the sizzling video.
