Jump to content

Toni Braxton

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Rémy Ryan Robert (talk | contribs) at 01:53, 14 October 2018. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For the singer's eponymous album, see Toni Braxton (album).

Toni Braxton
Braxton in 2015
Born
Toni Michelle Braxton

(1967-10-07) October 7, 1967 (age 57)
Severn, Maryland, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
  • record producer
  • television personality
Years active1989–present
Spouse
Keri Lewis
​
​
(m. 2001; div. 2013)​
PartnerBryan Williams[1][2] (2016–present)
Children2
RelativesSee Braxton family
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano
Labels
WebsiteToniBraxton.com

Toni Michelle Braxton (born October 7, 1967)[5][6] is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, actress, television personality, and philanthropist. She began performing with her sisters in a family group known as The Braxtons in the late 1980s, who were signed to Arista Records.

Braxton attracted the attention of producers Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, later recording a series of songs for them before being signed to their Arista-distributed imprint, LaFace Records. Her self-titled debut studio album (1993) reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States, selling 10 million copies worldwide and seeing the international success of the singles "Another Sad Love Song" and "Breathe Again". The album brought Braxton three Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist.

Secrets (1996), Braxton's second studio album, saw continued commercial success, selling 15 million copies and generating the singles "You're Makin' Me High" and "Un-Break My Heart", which became her first singles to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. Secrets brought Braxton an additional two Grammy Awards, for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album.

Her third studio album, The Heat (2000), opened at number 2 on the Billboard 200 and saw the success of its lead single, "He Wasn't Man Enough", which reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and brought Braxton her sixth Grammy Award, for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

Braxton's subsequent studio albums, More Than a Woman (2002), Libra (2005) and Pulse (2010), were released amid contractual disputes and health issues, including a lawsuit against her former manager for mismanaging her relationship with Arista Records. In 2014, Braxton and longtime collaborator Babyface released a duet album entitled Love, Marriage & Divorce, which earned the duo an additional Grammy Award for Best R&B Album in 2015.

Throughout her career, Braxton has sold over 67 million records, including 41 million albums worldwide. She has won seven Grammy Awards, nine Billboard Music Awards, seven American Music Awards, among numerous other accolades.

Aside from her success in music, Braxton has become a television executive producer and personality, being involved in the seventh season of the reality competition series Dancing with the Stars and in a reality series entitled Braxton Family Values, where Braxton is executive producer and star since 2011 on We TV. Braxton is also an executive producer of its spin-off, starring her younger sister, Tamar, Tamar & Vince. In 2011, Braxton was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

Early life

Toni Michelle Braxton was born in Severn, Maryland.[7] Her father, Michael Conrad Braxton Sr., was a Methodist[8][9] clergyman and power company worker, and her mother, Evelyn Jackson, a native of South Carolina, was a former opera singer and cosmetologist, as well as a pastor.[10][11] Braxton's maternal grandfather was also a pastor.[12]

Braxton is the eldest of six siblings.[13] She has a younger brother Michael Jr. (born 1968) and four younger sisters Traci (born 1971), Towanda (born 1973), Trina (born 1974), and Tamar (born 1977). They were raised in a strict religious household,[14] and Braxton's first performing experience was singing in her church choir.[14]

Braxton attended Bowie State University to obtain a teaching degree,[15] but decided to sing professionally after she was discovered by William E. Pettaway Jr., who reportedly heard her singing to herself while pumping gas.[16]

On her appearance May 24, 2014 broadcast of NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, she stated that she was not singing to herself at the gas station. Pettaway, working as an attendant at the Annapolis service station where she was refueling, recognized her from local performances and introduced himself, saying he wanted to produce her. Although skeptical, Braxton decided to, in her words, "take a chance" and accepted.[17]

Career

1989–95: The Braxtons, Toni Braxton and breakthrough

Main article: The Braxtons

Braxton and her four sisters (Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar) began performing as The Braxtons in the late 1980s and were signed to Arista Records in 1989. Their first single, "Good Life", was released in 1990.[18] Though the song was not successful, it attracted the attention of Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.[18]

Reid and Babyface recruited her to record a demo of "Love Shoulda Brought You Home", a song that they had written for Anita Baker for the soundtrack of Eddie Murphy's film, Boomerang. Baker, who was pregnant at the time,[19] did not record the song but suggested, that Braxton record it. Her recording was later included on the soundtrack along with "Give U My Heart", a duet by Braxton and Babyface. Braxton, meanwhile, was signed to Reid and Edmonds' Arista-distributed imprint, LaFace Records, and immediately began recording her solo debut album.[citation needed]

On July 13, 1993, LaFace Records released Braxton's self-titled debut album, Toni Braxton.[20] The album, which was primarily produced by Reid, Babyface, and Daryl Simmons, peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart.[21]

The first single, "Another Sad Love Song", peaked at number seven and number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B Singles charts respectively.[22] The album's second single, "Breathe Again", peaked in the top five of both the Hot 100 and R&B singles charts[22] and no 2 in the UK.[23] More singles from Toni Braxton were released in 1994, including "You Mean the World to Me", "Seven Whole Days", and "I Belong to You/How Many Ways".[22]

Braxton's debut album won her several awards, including three Grammy Awards (for Best New Artist and two consecutive awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1994 and 1995).[24]

She won two American Music Awards (for Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist and Favorite New Adult Contemporary Artist)[24] in 1994 and another one in 1995 (for Favorite Soul/R&B Album).[24] Toni Braxton was certified 8x platinum in USA and has sales of over 10 million worldwide.[25][26]

1996–99: Secrets and financial issues

In June 1996, Braxton released her second and most successful album, Secrets.[27] Braxton said of the album: "The motivation for this album was to include a little bit of everything. Our aim was to come up with material, that would have a familiar 'feel' to the people, who bought the first album without being musically redundant."[28] Along with Babyface, Braxton also worked with R. Kelly, Tony Rich, and David Foster on the album.[29] Braxton co-produced the album and co-wrote two of its songs, including the 1997 single "How Could an Angel Break My Heart", which was also later included on Diana Princess of Wales Tribute, a Princess Diana memorial album.[30]

With help from the album's first single, "You're Makin' Me High", which became Braxton's first number-one hit on the Hot 100 singles chart,[22] the album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 albums chart.[31] "You're Makin' Me High" also topped the R&B singles chart for two weeks[22] and saw similar success in Europe and Asia.[citation needed]

The album's second single, "Un-Break My Heart", written and composed by Diane Warren, became the biggest hit of Braxton's career, spending 11 consecutive weeks at number one on the Hot 100[18] and also topping the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart for eleven weeks and the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for four weeks.[32] as well as reaching no 2 in the UK[33]

Other singles from the album included the double A-side "I Don't Want To"/"I Love Me Some Him" (which peaked at number one on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart)[22] and "How Could an Angel Break My Heart;" this last featured Kenny G, with whom Braxton later toured.[34] After 92 weeks in the charts, Secrets was certified 8x platinum, becoming Braxton's second straight 8 million seller. Internationally, Secrets sold more than 15 million copies, thus cementing Braxton's superstar status.[26] Braxton topped the Billboard Year-End Charts as the Top Hot 100 Singles Artist – Female,[35] Top R&B Artist – Female (singles and albums),[32] Top Hot R&B Singles Artist – Female,[32] Top Hot Dance Club Play Artist, and Top Hot Adult Contemporary Artist, while "Un-Break My Heart" became the Top Hot Dance Club Play Single and the Top Hot Adult Contemporary Track of the year. She won two Grammy Awards; one for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance[24] for "Un-Break My Heart" and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "You're Makin' Me High" as well as two American Music Awards for Favorite Female Soul/R&B Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album.[24]

By 1996, Braxton had sold more than 20 million records; unfortunately, she was still waiting on her financial rewards, eventually launching an unsuccessful lawsuit against Arista and LaFace Records. Soon after, she filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy. Public reaction to these events was very harsh, having been expressed most clearly in an interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show.[36] Upon successfully filing for bankruptcy, Braxton relinquished the rights to many of her valued possessions, including the Grammys and American Music Awards she had previously been granted.[citation needed]

Braxton has appeared in two Disney Broadway shows: She made her Broadway debut as Belle in Beauty and the Beast beginning September 9, 1998 when she replaced Kim Huber.[37] During her run in the show Alan Menken wrote and composed a new song for the musical, titled "A Change in Me", which he specially wrote and composed for Braxton, and was still being used in the musical as of late July 2014.[38] She left the production on February 28, 1999 and was succeeded by Andrea McArdle.[39] Her role in Beauty and the Beast marked the first (and only) time a black woman commanded the leading role of Belle on Broadway. (In the UK, Michelle Gayle played the role in the West End.) It also marked the first time a black woman would star in a Disney musical on Broadway. In 1999, the lawsuit against LaFace Records was settled and Toni was given back all her possessions, giving her time to record The Heat, her first album in four years.[40]

2000–01: The Heat

After Braxton's three-year-long dispute with LaFace and Arista had been settled, Toni signed a new $20 million contract. In March 2000, LaFace Records released "He Wasn't Man Enough", the first single from Braxton's third studio album, The Heat. By June 2000, the song peaked at number two on the Hot 100 chart and No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart. The Heat was released on April 25, 2000, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 albums chart with first week sales of 194,448 copies sold,[41] it remained in the top 20 for fifteen consecutive weeks. Braxton again worked with producers Babyface and Foster; also included in the staple were Rodney Jerkins, and new beau musician Keri Lewis.

Braxton took a more hands-on approach, co-writing and co-producing a handful of the tracks. One selection on The Heat, titled "Gimme Some", featured a rap verse from TLC star Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. The album's second single, "Just Be a Man About It", peaked at number 32 on the Hot 100 and number six on the R&B Charts. The third single, "Spanish Guitar", peaked at number 98 on the Hot 100 and number one on the Hot Dance & Club charts. The fourth single, "Maybe", peaked at 74 on the R&B charts. The Heat was certified double platinum in the U.S. and, by 2002, had sold over 4 million copies worldwide.[26][42]

The Heat was nominated for many awards. At the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards, the album's lead-single, "He Wasn't Man Enough", was nominated for Best R&B Song and eventually won a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, while the album itself was nominated for Best R&B Album.[43] She was also nominated for Best R&B/Soul album, Female on the Soul Train Music Awards,[43] but she lost to "Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1" by Jill Scott. She won 2 American Music Awards for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album (The Heat).[43]

In 2001, she made her movie acting debut in the feature film Kingdom Come.[44]

In 2002, while gearing up for the release of her fourth studio album, Braxton discovered she was pregnant with her second child. Knowing that she would be unable to promote the album properly, she unsuccessfully lobbied Arista Records to get the label to postpone its release until after she was to give birth. Arista Records refused, and the album was released as planned in November 2002. It received very little promotion from either Arista or Braxton herself, due in Braxton's case to the complicated pregnancy that had confined her to bed rest. Braxton accused the company of being unwilling to compromise and punishing her for not putting her career over family.[citation needed]

2002–05: More Than a Woman and Libra

In November 2002, Braxton's fourth studio album More Than a Woman was released. Opening to an instant commercial disappointment, the album peaked at number 13. The first single, The Neptunes -produced "Hit the Freeway", failed at radio and peaked at number 86 on the Hot 100. The two singles, that followed ("A Better Man", "Lies, Lies, Lies") were scrapped, failed to make a dent and missed the Hot 100 completely. More Than a Woman was certified gold by RIAA and sold more than 800,000 copies worldwide.[45] Prior to the release of the album, a dispute erupted between Braxton and Irv Gotti, when he played a rough cut of "No More Love", a song that he produced for the album, that was to be the first single. Disapproving of Gotti broadcasting the unfinished track, Braxton withheld it from being released. The same year, Braxton was further annoyed, when Jay-Z used the same sample of 2Pac's "Me and My Girlfriend", that she had already used on her track "Me & My Boyfriend" for his and Beyoncé's "'03 Bonnie & Clyde".[citation needed]

She then starred in Aida as Aida beginning June 30, 2003 when she replaced Simone[46] and left the cast on November 16, 2003 where she was replaced by Michelle Williams.[47]

In April 2003, Braxton abruptly left Arista Records, having been there for 14 years, and immediately signed with Blackground Records, headed by Barry Hankerson, her manager at the time. The change of scenery, however, did not ultimately help her recording career. As had been the case during her final years at Arista, Braxton's fifth album, and first release on Blackground, Libra (2005) was released.

In 2004, Braxton appeared as herself, voicing a singing character named Toni, in a special episode and DVD release[48] of the children's television show Blue's Clues.[49]

In September 2004, it was announced that Braxton would star in a half-hour sitcom pilot where she would play a version of herself for The WB Television Network's fall 2006–07 lineup, though plans to put the show into full-production fell through once The WB announced it would cease to exist in fall 2006 (as part of a merger with UPN to form The CW).[50] She has also starred in the TV sitcom, Kevin Hill.[51]

In April 2005, Braxton's new label, Blackground/Universal, released "Please", the first single from her fifth album, Libra. The album was originally planned for a June release, but it was pushed back several times and was finally issued on September 27. Unfortunately for Braxton, her troubles with weak album promotion and lack of label commitment weren't over. "Please" peaked at number 36 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, while altogether missing the Hot 100.

Libra still managed to debut at number four on the Billboard 200 selling 114,593 copies in the first week. Libra also peaked at number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Although that is strong for an album with little to no promotion, it became yet another commercial disappointment for Braxton. The album's second single, "Trippin' (That's the Way Love Works)", received less airplay and peaked at number 67 on the R&B chart. The failure was ascribed to the non-video presence of the single and lack of label support. The album was certified gold in late 2005 and has since sold 679,000 copies worldwide.[45]

2006–07: Toni Braxton: Revealed and label conflicts

Braxton recorded a song in 2006 with Il Divo, titled "The Time of Our Lives". The song was used as the official 2006 FIFA World Cup anthem and was performed at the opening ceremony in Berlin, Germany, on June 9. The song was also performed at the closing ceremonies making Braxton and Il Divo the first artists to be asked to perform for the opening and closing ceremonies.[52]

Braxton made an appearance on the season finale of American Idol 5, where she performed Elvis Presley's "In the Ghetto" with soon-to-be winner Taylor Hicks.[53]

On May 19, 2006, the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas announced that Braxton would replace Wayne Newton as the casino's new headlining act from August 3, 2006.[54] The show, entitled Toni Braxton: Revealed, was to be performed six nights a week and was scheduled to run through to March 2007. Braxton later confirmed that she was extending her show through to August 2007. Due to its success, it was reported that Braxton would extend her show through to August 2008. The show was later cancelled in order for Braxton to focus on her health.[55]

In an October 2006 concert at the Flamingo Las Vegas, Braxton broke down in tears while announcing to the audience that just before the concert began she had been told that her son, Diezel, had been diagnosed with autism.[56] Braxton has been outspoken regarding her doctor's failure to diagnose Diezel's condition earlier, contending that if he had been diagnosed earlier he could have received treatment earlier.[57] As well as becoming a spokeswoman for Autism Speaks,[58] she is also a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association.

On January 12, 2007, Braxton filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against her former manager Barry Hankerson for $10 million, alleging "fraud, deception and double dealing", in addition to mismanaging her relationship with Arista Records.[59] According to Braxton's lawsuit, Hankerson placed his personal financial interests ahead of hers by using 'double-talk' to compromise the relationship between Braxton and her former recording label, Arista Records, with Hankerson allegedly telling Arista that "Braxton no longer wanted to record for Arista", and telling Braxton that "Arista was not interested in working with her anymore".[59]

The suit was settled with Braxton being forced to return a $375,000 advance to Hankerson, who would also receive a percentage of the sales of her next album, and Hankerson releasing Braxton from her contract with him. The settlement also temporarily limited the companies with which Braxton can sign.[60][61] Hankerson claimed that the problems initially arose due to a number of disputes with Braxton and her wish to include her husband in her music.[62]

2008–10: Pulse

In August 2008, various internet websites including TMZ.com and In Touch Weekly magazine began announcing, that Braxton would be appearing on the seventh season of Dancing with the Stars. The full cast of the next season of the show was confirmed on August 25, 2008 on Good Morning America, which confirmed Braxton as a contestant in the season with her partner being Alec Mazo.[63] They were voted off in the fifth week of the competition.

Week Dance/Song Judges' score Result
Inaba Goodman Tonioli
1A Cha-Cha-Cha/ "Smooth" 7 7 8 Safe
1B Quickstep/ "Blue Skies" 8 7 8 Last to Be Called Safe
2 Rumba/ "I Can't Make You Love Me" 7 8 8 Safe
3 Viennese Waltz/ "Für Elise" 8 7 7 Safe
4 Samba/ "De Donde Soy" 7 7 8 Safe
5 West Coast Swing/ "The Way You Make Me Feel" 7 7 8 Eliminated

In October 2008, it was announced, that Braxton signed to Atlantic Records. In the November 2008 issue of Jet, Braxton discussed her time spent on Dancing with the Stars as well as dealing with her son's autism. Braxton also talked about being signed to Atlantic Records and the debut of her upcoming single.

Braxton at the 2009 VH1 Divas Red Carpet

The DJ Frank E produced song "Yesterday" premiered on September 11, 2009 and features Trey Songz.[64] It was released as the lead single from her sixth studio album Pulse.[65] "Yesterday" peaked at No. 12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart making it her highest chart performance since her 2000 single "Just Be a Man About It", which peaked at No. 6. The single has been released worldwide on May 3, 2010.[66] In the UK, "Yesterday" became Braxton's first hit single since the release of "Hit the Freeway", peaking at No. 50 on the UK Singles Chart and at No. 17 on the UK R&B Singles Chart. The song also became a moderate hit in Europe, peaking at No. 20 on the German Singles Chart, at No. 17 on the Swiss Singles Chart and charting at No. 50 on the European Hot 100.

In November 2009, Braxton announced that she and Lewis had separated.[67] On January 29, 2010, Braxton's official website posted two of the songs from the upcoming album, "Hands Tied" and "Make My Heart". The former peaked at No. 29 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, the latter was sent to dance/club radio.[68] She performed "Make My Heart" on The Wendy Williams Show.

Braxton released her sixth studio album Pulse on May 4, 2010 in the US[69] and on May 10, 2010 in the UK.[70] Despite the fact that 27 songs were leaked, the album consisting of only 11 tracks, debuted at No. 9 on the US Billboard 200 chart and hit No. 1 on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, becoming Braxton's fifth US top-ten album. It also achieved moderate chart success around the world. In Canada it debuted at No. 72 on the Top 100 Albums chart and in the United Kingdom it debuted at No. 28 on the Top 40 Albums and at No. 7 on the R&B Albums chart. It entered at No. 18 on the German Album Chart. In Switzerland, the album hit No. 9. Pulse, although a commercial flop, became Toni's first album to chart inside the European Top 100 Albums since her 2000 album The Heat.

On June 28, 2010, Braxton posted a video for Woman.[71]

Braxton was included as part of the "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" remake of the 1985 hit "We Are the World" to help benefit the people of Haiti following the January 12, 2010 magnitude 7.0 MW earthquake in Haiti. The new version of the song was recorded on February 1, 2010. Music legends Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie act as Executive Producers as well as Wyclef Jean. Artists involved included Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Janet Jackson, Tony Bennett, Wyclef Jean, Josh Groban, Pink, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Levine, Justin Bieber, LL Cool J, among others.

According to Braxton, via a lawsuit, TMZ, and VH1's Behind the Music, after her Toni Braxton: Revealed show was abruptly cancelled back in 2008, the insurance agency, Lloyd's of London refused to honor her policy that she purchased for upwards of $70,000 that included financial compensations for financial losses that occurred as results of concert cancellations.[72] The policy was reported to insure Braxton up to $2.8 million.[73][74]

Lloyd's of London responded with a counter-suit seeking damages against Braxton and remarked that Braxton's policy was null and void because of an unrelated heart condition that the company was not made aware of at the time the application was filed.[75] Braxton responded to the counter-suit by saying that she did disclose her full medical history at the time.[73][76][77] As a result of the insurance company nullifying Braxton's contract, Braxton has said that she was on the hook for all damages because of the cancelled shows, being sued by multiple companies, and had to once again file for bankruptcy, as announced on October 7, 2010.[78] As of 2013, Braxton has completed required financial management courses and most of her debt has been discharged.[74][79]

Later that year rumors began circulating that Braxton was in talks to star in her own reality show with Bravo. Braxton would later confirm the rumors during an appearance on Ellen after a performance of her single "Make My Heart".[80]

2011–12: Television success and initial retirement

Braxton performing in Romania during New Year's Eve 2011

In January 2011, WE tv confirmed that it had signed Braxton for a reality series, Braxton Family Values, which is marketed as one of the network's flagship shows. The series debuted April 12, 2011, and looks at the relationship between the singer-songwriter Braxton, her mother, and her four sisters; Trina, Tamar, Traci and Towanda – all aspiring singers themselves – along with the interpersonal relationships of each family member. The show also looks at Braxton's heavily publicized separation from estranged husband, singer Keri Lewis.[81] Toni parted ways with her long-time manager Vincent Herbert, who is also husband of sister Tamar Braxton, and signed a new management deal with Los Angeles -based entertainment/production company 'The Collective'.[82]

Braxton completed filming of The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure alongside Jaime Pressly and Cloris Leachman which was released in 2012. Her character – Rosalie Rosebud – is a singer, whose over-the-top personality was apparently inspired by Mariah Carey.[83][84]

Later that year Braxton confirmed work on her eighth studio album.[85] Braxton announced at Mercedes-Benz 2012 Fall/Winter Fashion Week in an interview with Rocco Leo Gaglioti as a part of "Fashion News Live", that she would be releasing a new single titled "I Heart You" in March 2012.[86] Braxton premiered "I Heart You" on March 9, 2012.[87]

The song has peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Dance/Club play chart.[88] The music video for "I Heart You" was directed by Bille Woodruff. Shortly after the release of I Heart You rumors began circulating that Braxton would soon retire. These rumors would later be confirmed by Braxton herself on February 7, 2013. Braxton flew to Canada to begin shooting for her lead role in Twist of Faith later that year. Braxton appeared on Good Morning America to promote her new movie when she also confirmed the rumors of her retirement revealing that she is retiring from music and stated that she would like to focus on acting: "I have to do shows here and there, but I'm not gonna do any albums, I'm falling out of love with it, it's weird. I don't know what to say when I hear songs. They don't impact me. I've been trying to listen to songs, record companies have been calling me, so it's a good situation to be in, but I'm not really interested at all".[89] Twist of Faith premiered on the Lifetime Movie Network February 9, 2013.

2013–14: Love, Marriage and Divorce, Broadway return, and memoir

In June 2013, Braxton announced that she was returning to music with a Summer Tour and that she was in the studio working on her eighth studio album. She also stated that the album would not be a traditional album, but rather a collaboration album featuring long-time collaborator Babyface. The album would consist entirely of duets between Braxton and Babyface. Babyface said of the album: "The whole perspective is guy and girl, Mars vs. Venus. Even if you're in love, you're in love for different reasons." Braxton, for her part, added: "I think because Babyface and I have both gone through divorces, we can relate and we can collaborate on this topic and make it so others who have gone through this situation can relate." The album was eventually titled Love, Marriage & Divorce, and was released on February 4, 2014, under Motown Records. The 2013 Summer Tour kicked off in Las Vegas on August 9, 2013 and ended in Atlanta on August 31, 2013. The lead single from Love, Marriage & Divorce was titled "Hurt You;" it premiered on August 17, 2013.[90][91] The song attained success, claiming the No. 1 spot on two charts: the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart for four weeks, and the Urban Adult Contemporary (Urban AC) for the week ending December 14, 2013. This marked Braxton's seventh No. 1 hit on the Adult R&B Songs chart and first since her 2000 release "Just Be a Man About It."[92] The song also hit number 16 on Billboard Hot R&B/ Hip Hop Airplay chart.[93][94] The second single from the album was called "Where Did We Go Wrong?" It peaked at No. 11 on the Adult R&B Songs chart.[95] The album was nominated for World's Best Album at the 2014 World Music Awards. The album won for Best R&B Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in 2015.[96]

In September 2013, it was announced that Braxton would make her return to Broadway alongside collaborator Babyface in Broadway's After Midnight. They were scheduled to perform from March 18 to March 31, 2014 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. In succession, they would be third in rotation in the role of "Special Guest Star" following Fantasia Barrino and KD Lang.[97]

On January 20, 2014, Braxton announced that she would publish a memoir, titled Unbreak My Heart: A Memoir, through Harper Collins Publishers. In it, Braxton said, she would discuss her career success and struggles and the self-healing she took charge of after her own diagnosis with the auto-immune disease lupus and her son's diagnosis with autism. Unbreak My Heart: A Memoir was published on May 20, 2014.[98]

2015–2016: Braxton Family Christmas, Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart and The Hits Tour

On May 14, 2015, Braxton said she was headed back to the studio for an upcoming eighth album. She promised that a new single would be released before the end of the year.[99]

In September 2015, Lifetime greenlighted a biographical film on Braxton's life, Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart.[100] The film's premiere generated 3.6 million viewers, earning the highest rating for an original movie with adults ages 25–54, women 25-54 and women 18-49 since "Whitney," the January 2015 biopic on Whitney Houston.[101] The film has a IMDb raiting of a 6.5 out of 10 stars.[102] In October 2015, The Braxtons released Braxton Family Christmas.[103][104] Braxton Family Christmas debuted at number 27 on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,[105] number 10 on the US R&B Chart and number 12 on US Top Holiday Albums on November 21, 2015.[106][107] The album charted at number 1 on the US Heatseekers Albums on December 12, 2015.[108] Braxton announced in an interview with Sway in the Morning on January 22, 2016 that she and Babyface will collaborate again with Love, Marriage & Divorce Pt. II.[109]

On July 25, 2016, Braxton announced that she would be embarking on a tour in late 2016 titled "The Hits Tour" in North America.[110] On October 3, five days before the first date of the tour Braxton was hospitalized due to complications with Lupus resulting in cancelling the first two dates of the tour. The dates cancelled were rescheduled for January 28 and 29, 2017 and kicked off the tour on in Detroit at the MotorCity Casino Hotel on October 12, 2016.[111][112][113] On October 15, 2016, Braxton was admitted once again to hospital with complications with Lupus resulting to cancel another tour date October 15, 2016, which was later scheduled to November 14, 2016.[114][115] On October 16, 2016, Braxton posted a photo of herself leaving the hospital on her Instagram, announcing that she was on her way to that night's performance in Chicago.[116]

2016–present: Sex & Cigarettes and tv movies

On December 1, 2016, Braxton announced a short statement via Twitter that the dates for The Hits Tour in January 2017 were cancelled, a new album would be coming soon and back touring in the summer, "Hey Guys, Unfortunately, Under doctor’s recommendation, I'm going to have to cancel my shows in Oakland on January 28th and Los Angeles on January 29th, 2017. I'm feeling better and better every day and I want to be at my best when performing for you all. I’m excited to say that I will be completing my new record this spring / summer of 2017 and can't wait to share it with you. Stay tuned for more details. I look forward to seeing everyone back on tour in the summer of 2017!!!"[117][118][119][120]

On September 14, 2017, Braxton released the lead single "Deadwood"[121] from her eighth studio album Sex & Cigarettes[122]. A remix EP for the song "Coping" was released on November 10, 2017.[123]

Faith Under Fire premiered on the Lifetime Movie Network January 22, 2018.[124] The second single "Long as I Live" was released on February 9, 2018.[125] On April 20, 2018, Trina, Towanda and Toni appears as featuring on their sister Traci's single "Broken Things"[126][127][128] Toni and her sister Towanda will be stars on the christmas tv movie Every Day is Christmas which premiered on the Lifetime Movie Network November 24, 2018.[129][130][131][132]

Artistry

Braxton has been recognized for her distinctive contralto voice.[133][134] Her voice has been called "husky, sultry, elegant and sexy."[135] Due to the huskiness of her voice, Braxton often used male singers such as Michael McDonald, Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder as vocal style models.[3] Chaka Khan and Anita Baker were two of the few female singers that she could stylize. Steve Huey of AllMusic cites a key to Braxton's success is the versatility of her voice, which he states as being "soulful enough for R&B audiences, but smooth enough for adult contemporary; sophisticated enough for adults, but sultry enough for younger listeners; strong enough in the face of heartbreak to appeal to women, but ravishing enough to nab the fellas."[3]

Braxton began her career singing traditional R&B and soft rock ballads and love songs on her debut and second albums. However, hip-hop soul and dance music elements begun to get spun into her sound on The Heat,[136] More Than a Woman,[137] and Pulse. She also showcased her classical training while performing in Broadway plays Beauty and the Beast and Aida as well as her duet with Il Divo, "The Time of Our Lives".

Legacy

Toni Braxton became an immediate R&B superstar after the release of her first album. LA Reid stated during an interview with VH1: "We called her the first lady of LaFace. She was our Diva. Clive had Whitney, Tommy had Mariah and we had Toni." BBC called the album "spiritedly, mature soul at its best – and just urban enough to make it the bedroom album for the hip hop generation."[138] Braxton had the sound of R&B greats like Anita Baker and the sex appeal to compete with fellow superstars Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. Over the span of her career Braxton has sold over 66 million records,[citation needed] including 40 million albums,[139] worldwide. Braxton's musical catalog contains many classics that have won her many accolades. Her greatest is "Un-Break My Heart", the Diane Warren-penned ballad that spent 11-weeks at number 1. Bob McCann, author of Encyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Television (2010), considered it "simply one of the most haunting R&B records ever made." Reviewer Mark Edward Nero named it one of the best R&B break-up songs and considered it Braxton's "finest moment". He further commented, "damn, this song is so sad it can make people cry for hours at a time." It's Braxton's ability to capture her audience that plays a factor in her continuous success.[citation needed] Braxton is a recipient of seven Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and nine Billboard Music Awards.[citation needed]

Throughout Braxton's career she made several impacts on fashion mostly for her legendary high splits in her dresses. Her now famous Richard Tyler white satin gown has gone down in history as one of the most revealing and sexiest dresses. In 2011, Braxton topped the list for the Grammy Award's best dressed of the decade.[140] "I've always gone a little risque with all my other award show outfits."[141] In 2012, Braxton made the list for VH1's 50 Greatest Women in Music. Braxton's 2000 performance at Super Bowl XXXIV is ranked as one of the most memorable Super Bowl performances.[142] Braxton cemented her diva status in the music industry in 2006, with her Las Vegas residency Toni Braxton: Revealed, by becoming the first African American performer in Las Vegas to have her act enter the top ten Vegas shows charting.[citation needed] Braxton also made headlines for her signature and legendary Giantto Million Dollar Microphone that she performed every show with. Braxton said: "I think it's a great element to the show. You have to have a little sprinkle of Liberace and this is my little sprinkle of that." Braxton's famous prop was made up of white gold and encrusted with 650 karats of diamonds.[143] The microphone reportedly cost $1 million.[citation needed]

Personal life

Braxton met musician Keri Lewis when his group, Mint Condition, opened for her on tour; they married on April 21, 2001. In 2001, she gave birth to their first child, a son named Denim Cole Braxton-Lewis. In 2002, while gearing up for the release of her fourth studio album, Braxton discovered she was pregnant with her second child; the complicated pregnancy confined her to bed rest. The couple's second son, Diezel Ky Braxton-Lewis, was born in March 2003. As Diezel has been diagnosed with autism, Braxton has become very involved with Autism Speaks, serving as their International Spokesperson. In November 2009 Braxton announced that she and her husband had separated. The couple later divorced in July 2013.[144]

Braxton began dating rapper Birdman in May 2016, and the couple announced their engagement in February 2018.[145]

On July 8, 2015, Braxton's Attorney, Antavius Weems announced that Braxton had settled her contentious child support case with her former husband, Keri Lewis.[146] On June 2, 2016, the City and County officials named June 2 as Toni Braxton day in Atlanta, Georgia.[147]

Health problems

As of August 2007, rumors surfaced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Braxton stated to Access Hollywood, that the breast cancer rumors were false and that her health is in great condition. However, in 2008, she had a benign lump removed from her breast. On April 8, 2008, near the end of her two-year run at the Flamingo Hotel, Braxton was briefly hospitalized and the remaining dates on the show, which was scheduled to end on August 23, 2008, were cancelled.[148] Later, while appearing on Season 7 of Dancing with the Stars, she stated, that she has been diagnosed with microvascular angina (small vessel disease).[149]

On November 18, 2010, Braxton admitted to CBS News that she had been diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease.[150]

Braxton's brother is also a carrier of the disease, and her uncle died of complications from lupus.[150] While taping her reality series Braxton Family Values, she went in for surgery. Braxton was hospitalized in Los Angeles in December 2012 because of "minor health issues" related to lupus.[151]

Discography

Main article: Toni Braxton discography
See also: The Braxtons
Studio albums
Collaboration albums

Tours

Residency show

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Toni Braxton

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Kingdom Come Juanita Slocumb
2002 Play'd: A Hip Hop Story Shonda Television film
2012 The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure Rosalie Rosebud
2013 Twist of Faith Nina Jones Television film
2016 Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart Herself Television film
2018 Faith Under Fire: The Antoinette Tuff Story Antoinette Tuff Television film
2018 Every Day Is Christmas Alexis Taylor Television film

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1994 Roc Herself Episode: "The Concert"
2000 Mad TV Herself Episode: "6.10"
2004 Blue's Clues Herself Episode: "Bluestock"
2005 Kevin Hill Terry Knox 3 episodes
2011–present Braxton Family Values Herself Main role; 89 episodes

Music videos

Title Year Artist Notes
"Miss You" 2002 Aaliyah
"Last Call" 2014 Traci Braxton

See also

References

  1. ^ "Toni Braxton and Birdman Are Getting Married «  Ear Kandy Radio". earkandyradio.com. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  2. ^ "Toni Braxton Confirms Engagement to Birdman". Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Huey, Steve. "Toni Braxton – Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  4. ^ Otterson, Joe (October 6, 2015). "Lifetime Finds Its Toni Braxton for Biopic". TheWrap. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  5. ^ Taylor, Derrick Bryson (October 7, 2012). "Happy 45th Birthday, Toni Braxton!". Essence. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  6. ^ "PHOTOS: Toni Blows Out The Candles For Her 46th Birthday". The Huffington Post. October 7, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  7. ^ Ollison, Rashod D. (September 25, 2005). "Toni Braxton's back, with a pretty 'Please'". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  8. ^ "Famous Methodists". Adherents.com. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
  9. ^ Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. June 20, 1994. p. 21. ISSN 0021-5996. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  10. ^ Dougherty, Steve (October 9, 2000). "Greener Pastures". People. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  11. ^ "Braxton Family Values – Evelyn Braxton". WEtv.com. AMC Networks. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  12. ^ Ney, Angela Winter (February 6, 1994). "Award-winning pastor reaches out to teen-agers". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  13. ^ Rizzo, Monica (October 27, 2008). "Toni Braxton: Still Dancing". People. 70 (17). Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  14. ^ a b "Toni Braxton Tickets". Premium Seats USA. Retrieved December 18, 2006.
  15. ^ Kinnon, Joy Bennett (December 2000). "The Rise and Fall and Rise of Toni Braxton". Ebony.
  16. ^ Joan, Morgan (December 2002). "Fully Exposed". Vibe. One day in 1990, songwriter Bill Pettaway heard Toni singing to herself at an Annapolis gas station, liked what he heard, and got her an audition with L.A.
  17. ^ ""Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me! For May 24, 2014"". NPR. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  18. ^ a b c "Toni Braxton". VIBE.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2007. Retrieved December 18, 2006. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ "Toni Braxton". AskMen. Retrieved December 18, 2006.
  20. ^ "Toni Braxton: Music: Toni Braxton". Amazon.com. Retrieved December 18, 2006.
  21. ^ "Discography – Toni Braxton – Toni Braxton". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved December 18, 2006.
  22. ^ a b c d e f "Artist Chart History – Toni Braxton". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved December 18, 2006. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "UK Top 40 Chart Archive, British Singles & Album Charts". Everyhit.com. March 16, 2000. Archived from the original on July 18, 2007. Retrieved January 16, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ a b c d e "Toni Braxton". Yahoo! TV. March 14, 2003. Retrieved December 26, 2006.
  25. ^ "Gold&Platinum: Top 100 albums". RIAA. Archived from the original on December 14, 2006. Retrieved December 18, 2006.
  26. ^ a b c Jet – Google Livros. Books.google.com. July 17, 2000. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
  27. ^ "Secrets: Music: Toni Braxton". Amazon.com. Retrieved December 18, 2006.
  28. ^ "Toni Braxton". Rock on the Net. Retrieved December 18, 2006.
  29. ^ "Toni Braxton: Secrets". ArtistDirect. Retrieved December 18, 2006.
  30. ^ "Diana Princess of Wales Tribute". Amazon.com. Retrieved December 18, 2006.
  31. ^ "Discography – Toni Braxton – Secrets". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved December 18, 2006. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ a b c "Toni Braxton". Music Fan Clubs. Retrieved December 26, 2006.
  33. ^ "UK Top 40 Chart Archive, British Singles & Album Charts". everyHit.com. March 16, 2000. Archived from the original on July 18, 2007. Retrieved February 1, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ "Kenny G and Toni B: Lds Valerie Groth and Justin Collie manipulate one lighting system to create two shows". Live Design. May 1, 1997. Retrieved December 26, 2006.
  35. ^ "Year End Charts – Year-end Singles – The Billboard Hot 100". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2006. Retrieved December 26, 2006. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ ""She was so frickin' mean to me": Toni Braxton's Original Full Interview with Oprah (1998)". YouTube. March 29, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  37. ^ "Braxton-Taylor-Barbour Beast to Be Unveiled Sept. 9; New Menken Song to Follow". playbill. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ "Toni Braxton Premieres Beauty's New Song, Oct. 7 On 'Rosie'". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ "Bway's Beauty Turns 2,000 Sat. Matinee Jan. 30; McArdle Arrives March 3". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  40. ^ "Toni Braxton". Lifetime's intimate portrait. Archived from the original on December 5, 2005. Retrieved December 18, 2006. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ "Previous Album Sales Chart". HITS Daily Double. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  42. ^ "Vibe Magazine". Vibe Magazine. Google Books. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
  43. ^ a b c "Rock on the Net: Toni Braxton". Rock on the Net. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
  44. ^ "Kingdom Come". IMDb. Retrieved December 19, 2006.
  45. ^ a b "Toni Braxton mp3 music download". MusicMp3.Ru. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
  46. ^ "Toni Braxton Set To Return To Broadway". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on June 12, 2007. Retrieved December 19, 2006. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  47. ^ "It's Destiny: R&B Singer Michelle Williams to Replace Toni Braxton in Aida". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  48. ^ "Blues Clues: Bluestock DVD Movie". CDUniverse.com. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  49. ^ ""Blue's Clues" Bluestock (2004)". IMDb. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  50. ^ "Development Update: September 29–30". The Futon Critic. September 30, 2004. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  51. ^ "Toni's TV Deal". Contact Music. September 20, 2004. Retrieved January 24, 2007.
  52. ^ "Fiona: divo". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved December 18, 2006.
  53. ^ "Soul Patrol Rides On: Taylor Hicks Wins 'American Idol'". MTV News. May 25, 2006. Retrieved December 27, 2006.
  54. ^ "Toni Braxton to be headliner at Flamingo Las Vegas to 2007". USA Today. Associated Press. May 19, 2006. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  55. ^ Mascia, Kristen (May 30, 2008). "Toni Braxton Cancels Vegas Show". People. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  56. ^ Walls, Jeannette (October 30, 2006). "O.J. Simpson to confess – hypothetically, Plus: Toni Braxton sobs while discussing autistic son". Today.com. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  57. ^ "Braxton Upset With Doctor's Over Son's Autism". Contactmusic.com. September 29, 2006. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  58. ^ "Toni Braxton Named National Celebrity Spokesperson for Autism Speaks". Autism Speaks. March 7, 2007. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  59. ^ a b Neumeister, Larry (January 12, 2007). "Toni Braxton Sues Her Former Manager". The Washington Post. AP. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  60. ^ "Braxton Settles Lawsuit Against Ex-Manager". Billboard. AP. February 14, 2007. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  61. ^ "Toni Braxton sues her former manager". Yahoo. January 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2007.[dead link]
  62. ^ Finn, Natalie (February 13, 2007). "Braxton Settles Up with Ex-Manager". E! Online. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  63. ^ "Announcing the Stars". abc.go.com. 2008. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  64. ^ "Exclusive: Be the First to Listen to Toni Braxton's New Single 'Yesterday'". Archived from the original on September 14, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  65. ^ "Toni Braxton "Pulse" Album Preview". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  66. ^ Praxis Media. "Radio1 Rodos Greece ::: UK Forthcoming Singles ::: Charts, DJ Promos, Dance, Lyrics, Free Mp3 Samples Downloads". Radio1.gr. Archived from the original on December 31, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  67. ^ "Toni Braxton Confirms 'Single' and 'Separated' Post Divorce Rumor". Singersroom. November 20, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  68. ^ ""Hands Tied" & "Make My Heart" Are Now Available To Buy Exclusively on ToniBraxton.com! – Blog Detail". ToniBraxton.com. January 29, 2010. Archived from the original on January 8, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  69. ^ "Toni Braxton's 'Pulse' Pushed Back – Again | ..::That Grape Juice // ThatGrapeJuice.net::.. || Thirsty?". Thatgrapejuice.net. January 21, 2010. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
  70. ^ Praxis Media. "Radio1 Rodos Greece ::: UK Forthcoming Albums ::: Charts, DJ Promos, Dance, Lyrics, Free Mp3 Samples Downloads". Radio1.gr. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
  71. ^ "Toni Braxton | Official Website: Photos, Blog, Videos, Interactive and more". ToniBraxton.com. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
  72. ^ "Toni Braxton: My Insurance Co. Has No Heart". TMZ. April 29, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  73. ^ a b Shan, Janet (May 3, 2009). "Legal Briefs: Singer Toni Braxton Sues Lloyd's of London Over Cancelled Shoes". The Hinterland Gazette. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  74. ^ a b "Ep. 238 | Toni Braxton | Behind The Music". VH1.com. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  75. ^ "Insurance Co. Claims Braxton's a Hearty Liar". TMZ. October 1, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  76. ^ "Lloyds of London Sues Toni Braxton". Hellobeautiful.com. October 1, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  77. ^ "Toni Braxton sues her insurance company". News OK. April 29, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  78. ^ "Toni Braxton: My Vegas Show Broke Me". TMZ. October 7, 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  79. ^ "Toni Braxton – Bankruptcy Case finally settled". TMZ. June 7, 2013.
  80. ^ "Bravo snags singer Toni Braxton for new reality series". Blog.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  81. ^ James Hibberd (January 4, 2011). "WEtv unveils new details on Toni Braxton series, new cake series, and announces new tagline". Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  82. ^ "Toni Braxton Signs New Management Deal | ..::That Grape Juice // ThatGrapeJuice.net::.. || Thirsty?". Thatgrapejuice.net. September 6, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  83. ^ "Toni Braxton interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' May 2010". Bluesandsoul.com. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  84. ^ Moss, Ricki. "Watch: Toni Braxton Stars in Children's Film | News". BET. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  85. ^ "BREAKING NEWS: Toni is working with L.A. Reid on new album". WeLoveToni.com. October 28, 2011. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  86. ^ "Toni Braxton confirms new single 'I Heart You'..." ToyazWorld.com.
  87. ^ Pro Motion (March 9, 2012). "Exclusive: Toni Braxton 'I Heart You'". Blog.promotion-us.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  88. ^ https://www.billboard.com/artist/toni-braxton/chart-history/
  89. ^ "Toni Braxton Retiring From Music to Focus on Film Career". E! Online. February 11, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  90. ^ "New Music: Toni Braxton & Babyface – 'Hurt You'". Rap-Up.com. August 17, 2013. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  91. ^ "News | Toni Braxton & Babyface Unite For Duet Album, Can The Duo Make A Hit Again?". Singersroom. June 11, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  92. ^ "Toni Braxton and Babyface's 'Hurt You' Hits No.1 on Two Charts". Singersroom. December 11, 2013.
  93. ^ "Toni Braxton: Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  94. ^ "Toni Braxton – Chart history". Billboard.
  95. ^ "Toni Braxton, Babyface and Ledisi Soar with Thicke on Adult R&B Songs Chart". Singersroom. December 11, 2013.
  96. ^ "The Official Site of Music's Biggest Night". GRAMMY.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  97. ^ Rooney, David (September 25, 2013). "Toni Braxton and Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds Join Broadway's 'After Midnight' Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  98. ^ "Toni Braxton memoir, 'Unbreak My Heart,' coming in May; to cover her hit songs, lupus". Star Tribune. January 16, 2014. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  99. ^ "Watch: Toni Braxton Announces New Single & Album Due This Year". That Grape Juice.net. May 14, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  100. ^ Petski, Denise (September 15, 2015). "Toni Braxton's Life Story Heading To Lifetime As Original Movie". Deadline.com. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  101. ^ "Toni Braxton biopic earns high ratings". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  102. ^ "Toni Braxton: Unbreak my Heart (2016) IMDb". IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  103. ^ "Braxton Family Christmas". Braxton Sisters to Release Christmas Album. Essence. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  104. ^ "The Braxtons – Braxton Family Christmas". Braxton Family Christmas. Target. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  105. ^ "The Braxtons – Chart history". Billboard.com. October 5, 1996. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  106. ^ "The Braxtons – Chart history". Billboard.com. October 5, 1996. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  107. ^ "The Braxtons – Chart history". Billboard.com. October 5, 1996. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  108. ^ "The Braxtons – Chart History". The Braxtons. Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  109. ^ "Toni Braxton and Babyface to team for 2nd album of duets". Toni Braxton Babyface. soultracks. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  110. ^ "So excited to announce my new tour starting in October! Get your tickets now! Can't wait to see you all ❤️ •The Hits Tour•". Instagram. Toni Braxton. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  111. ^ "TONI BRAXTON HOSPITALIZED Birdman Rushes to Her Side". TMZ. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  112. ^ "Singer Toni Braxton hospitalized with lupus complications". DailyMail (UK). Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  113. ^ "Toni Braxton (Rescheduled from 10/8) Oakland Tickets - 1/28/17". vividseats.com. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  114. ^ "TONI BRAXTON BACK IN HOSPITAL ... Postpones Show". TMZ. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  115. ^ "Toni Braxton Hospitalized Again With Lupus, Postpones Concert". Billboard. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  116. ^ "Hey guys, thanks for all of your well wishes and understanding. I am out of the hospital, and en route to CHICAGO! I can not wait to see you all TONIGHT at the Arie Crown Theater!! #TheHitsTour ❤️". Instagram. Toni Braxton. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  117. ^ "Hey Guys, Unfortunately, Under doctor's recommendation, I'm going to have to cancel my shows in Oakland on January 28th and". Twitter. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  118. ^ "Los Angeles on January 29th, 2017. I'm feeling better and better every day and I want to be at my best when performing for you all". Twitter. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  119. ^ "I'm excited to say that I will be completing my new record this spring / summer of 2017 and can't wait to share it with you". Twitter. December 5, 2016.
  120. ^ "Stay tuned for more details. I look forward to seeing everyone back on tour in the summer of 2017!!!". Twitter. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  121. ^ "Deadwood – Single by Toni Braxton on Apple Music". Apple Music (U.S. Store). Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  122. ^ "Toni Braxton Is Back On The Music Scene With 'Sex & Cigarettes'". September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  123. ^ "Coping (Remixes) – EP by Toni Braxton". Apple Music. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  124. ^ "About Faith Under Fire: The Antoinette Tuff Story - Lifetime".
  125. ^ "Long As I Live – by Toni Braxton". Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  126. ^ Tamar Braxton release single Broken Things featuring her sisters on tracibraxton.com
  127. ^ Traci Braxton release the single Broken Things on thatgrapejuice.net
  128. ^ Traci Braxton was release a new single Broken Things on thisisrnb.com
  129. ^ Toni Braxton christmas movie in imdb.com
  130. ^ Lifetime holiday movies on ew.com
  131. ^ 2018 Christmas movies on deadline.com
  132. ^ Christmas movies 2018 on eonline.com
  133. ^ Kintner, Thomas (March 24, 2012). "Concert Review: Toni Braxton's Sultry Delivery Scores At Foxwoods". courant.com. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
  134. ^ Dean, Maury (2003). Rock-N-Roll Gold Rush. Algora Publishing. p. 34. ISBN 0-87586-207-1. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  135. ^ "My Play: Toni Braxton". Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  136. ^ "The Heat Review". AllMusic. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  137. ^ "More Than A Woman". AllMusic. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  138. ^ "Music – Review of Toni Braxton – Toni Braxton". BBC. July 13, 1993. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  139. ^ "Toni Braxton Bio". Toni Braxton Official Website. Archived from the original on July 27, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  140. ^ "Grammy Fashion: The Best and Worst of the Decade". CBS News. February 10, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  141. ^ Helwig, Emily (February 8, 2013). "Racy Grammy Dresses". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  142. ^ "The Super Bowl: Top 5 Memorable Halftime Shows – ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. February 3, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  143. ^ "Braxton's Million Dollar Baby". TMZ.com. January 9, 2006. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  144. ^ Zach Johnson (July 25, 2013). "Toni Braxton Finalizes Divorce From Keri Lewis". usmagazine.com. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  145. ^ "Toni Braxton Confirms Engagement to Birdman: See Her Massive Ring".
  146. ^ Ny Magee (July 8, 2015). "Toni Braxton Settles Child Support Battle with Ex-husband". eurweb.com. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  147. ^ "Toni Braxton honored with ATL's Phoenix Award and more! [PHOTOS] – raycornelius.com". raycornelius.com. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  148. ^ "Toni Braxton Cancels More Shows Due to Unidentified Illness". Huliq. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  149. ^ Chitale, Radha (September 24, 2008). "Dancing Won't Un-Break Toni Braxton's Heart". ABC News. ABC. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  150. ^ a b "Toni Braxton is a fighter of Lupus". Heal Good. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  151. ^ "Toni Braxton Hospitalized for Lupus-Related Health Issues". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Associated Press. December 8, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  152. ^ Desk, TV News. "Toni Braxton Announces New Studio Album SEX AND CIGARETTES Out March 23". {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Toni Braxton.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Toni_Braxton&oldid=863938213"