Toni Braxton

Biography

Toni Michele Braxton, born on October 7, 1967, in Severn, Maryland, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Raised in a strict religious household, she and her four younger sisters began singing in their church choir. This early experience, encouraged by their mother who was an opera singer, laid the foundation for their musical careers. In the late 1980s, Toni and her sisters formed the group The Braxtons and signed with Arista Records in 1989. Their single "Good Life" (1990) was not a commercial success, but it brought Toni to the attention of producers Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.

Solo Career and Breakthrough

In 1991, Braxton signed with LaFace Records as a solo artist. Her first significant exposure came with songs for the soundtrack of the 1992 movie "Boomerang." Her self-titled debut album, Toni Braxton, was released in 1993 and became a massive success, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The album included hit singles like "Another Sad Love Song," "Breathe Again," and "You Mean the World to Me," selling over 10 million copies worldwide and earning her three Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist.

Her second album, Secrets (1996), continued her success with the international number-one hit "Un-Break My Heart" and "You're Makin' Me High." This album also achieved multi-platinum status and won her two more Grammy Awards. Following contract disputes and bankruptcy filing in 1998, she returned with her third album, The Heat, in 2000. It featured the hit single "He Wasn't Man Enough."

Subsequent Albums and Ventures

Braxton's later albums include More Than a Woman (2002), Libra (2005), and Pulse (2010). In 2014, she collaborated with longtime partner Babyface on the duet album Love, Marriage & Divorce, which won a Grammy for Best R&B Album. She later released Sex & Cigarettes (2018) and Spell My Name (2020).

Acting and Television

In 1998, Braxton made her Broadway debut as Belle in "Beauty and the Beast," becoming the first Black actress to play the role on Broadway. She also appeared in other productions like "Aida." Her film credits include "Kingdom Come" (2001). From 2011 to 2020, she starred in the reality television series "Braxton Family Values" with her family. She also competed on the seventh season of "Dancing with the Stars."

Personal Life and Health

Braxton has been open about her health struggles, including her diagnosis with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 2008. The condition has led to serious complications, including a heart procedure. She is a spokesperson for Autism Speaks, as her son Diezel was diagnosed with autism. Braxton was married to musician Keri Lewis from 2001 to 2013, and they have two sons, Denim and Diezel.