Toni Braxton's Family Cries Upon Learning Of Her Potentially Fatal Illness

"Braxton Family Values"

This week's episode of "Braxton Family Values" features Toni Braxton revealing a number of problems, from illness to money issues, both evoking tears from her sisters. Over a dinner in Los Angeles, Braxton broke it to her family that she has the potentially fatal disease Lupus.

Some of her family members were not aware of her diagnosis, namely sister Tamar Braxton, who began crying. The life expectancy of Lupus sufferers is 10-20 years after the initial diagnosis, if detected early. However, due to medical advances, some are living beyond that time frame.

Tamar Braxton

Ironically, a week ago, the Judiciary Report stated "Physically Ill Toni Braxton Antagonized By Her Jealous Sister On Reality Show." This week Tamar said she felt "selfish" about having nagged a sick person to go places, now that she knows Toni's lupus and angina diagnosis.

Another issue that brought tears on the reality show had to do with finances. Toni and Tamar, confronted Trina, over a champagne lunch, regarding her charging the Grammy Award winning singer to do background vocals for her on stage. Toni broke down crying, insisting Trina is the only sister doing this to her and she doesn't enjoy fighting with them. Trina started crying as well. Braxton has experienced a host of financial problems, leading to her filing bankruptcy twice in ten years.

Toni Braxton upon hearing Tamar's house rules

Tamar's unusual behavior was out in full force again, as she invited the family to her home in Los Angeles that she shares with record executive, Vincent Herbert, who signed Lady Gaga to a record deal. Her house rules were strange, childish and unkind, ordering her sisters to bathe and wash their hands before sitting on her furniture that Herbert bought. Not very hospitable and very nouveau riche.

On this week's episode, Tamar, took her mom Evelyn to get Botox shots, when the woman didn't need them. The Judiciary Report also stated a week ago that Tamar Braxton had cosmetic work done ("Physically Ill Toni Braxton Antagonized By Her Jealous Sister On Reality Show"). This week she admitted she loves plastic surgery. I still think her old nose looked better.

Plastic surgery addict, Tamar, demanding Traci get a makeover, her mom Botox and Toni a spray tan. Ok, then.

Tamar even called her sister Traci ghetto and in need of a makeover and finishing school (when Tamar needed it the most). She stated her sister Traci acts like, "She was raised by a pack of rats...hoodrats."

However, what took the cake is Tamar taking Toni tanning. Yes, black people tanning. How redundant. The white people that run the tanning salon were trying to be polite, but clearly had a collective brain freeze at this development. As a result, Toni's beautiful brown skin was turned orange like a Tropicana orange juice box. Orange skin does not flatter anyone, black or white.

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UPDATE: Correction, "If You Don't Wanna Love Me" was released in 2000. The version of the song I heard had the incorrect date on it. However, Tamar debuted in 1989 with her sisters "The Braxtons" on the track "The Good Life" which predates Beyonce. Tamar's husband Vincent Herbert also produced music for Destinys Child, the group Beyonce debuted with in 1998.

Toni Braxton celebrating the launch of "Braxton Family Values"

Tamar Braxton's jealousy over sister Toni Braxton's success in the music industry, became very apparent in the third episode of "Braxton Family Values." Tamar was not camouflaging her envy and resentment, turning Toni's birthday dinner into a massive whine about her non-existent solo career. Everything was about her and the sisters showed their exasperation, as did Tamar's husband.

In fact, Tamar ruined Toni's birthday, by insulting all her sisters about their marriage problems, bragging that she is the one that knows what she is doing in relationships, as she is married to rich record executive, Vincent Herbert, who signed Lady Gaga. But with the way she treats Herbert, one wonders how long their marriage will last.

Braxton Family Values

Tamar nags him incessantly about re-launching her as a solo artist, after her self-titled debut album in the mid 90s failed to go gold, selling 100,000 copies, resulting in her being dropped from her record deal. In listening to the 90s song "If You Don't Wanna Love Me" by Tamar, it is very apparent, she is the singer Beyonce has been trying to emulate for over a decade, when she debuted with Destiny's Child in 1998.

Tamar also insulted and berated Toni for not wanting to go out much, labeling her the "Fun Police." However, she needs to remember her sister has been battling breast cancer, lupus and heart issues. When one is physically sick and on medication, it drains the strength from one's body and one's desire to go out and have fun, due to literal fatigue and sometimes malaise. Pushing a sick person to go to the club is not a good idea.

Toni Braxton prior to the reality show "Braxton Family Values"

Some may be wondering about the slight puffiness of Braxton's face on the reality show, which is most likely due to the fact, people on medication and those who have undergone many medical procedures, sometimes retain water and other fluids in the face. Medication sometimes alters the way the body stores and processes water.

And speaking of faces, the shot of Tamar's wedding photo with Herbert, shown on last nights episode, confirms what I have thought from the show's debut, she had a nose job. Tamar has the same altered nose Lil Kim, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and Latoya Jackson had at one point. The sad thing is there was nothing wrong with their noses. Being in an industry with flashbulbs constantly going off, poor lighting and the wrong make-up, will make black, Jewish and Hispanic people's faces, particularly the nose, look different than in person. This leads to many getting a nose job.

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"Braxton Family Values"

I caught a portion of the reality show "Braxton Family Values" which debuted last night and I'm somewhat disappointed. It stars R&B singer, Toni Braxton, her mom Evelyn and the vocalist's four sisters, Tamar, Towanda, Traci and Trina, who were members of the group "The Braxtons."

I was expecting something more wholesome, as their dad is a preacher. However, I'd briefly forgotten the sexually overt path their music careers took in the 1990s. My bad. The show mostly consists of bickering and barefaced jealousy towards Toni, who seems to take it all in stride.

Evelyn, Toni and Tamar

In the 1990s, producers L.A. and Babyface heard the group "The Braxtons" sing. At the time, the group consisted of Toni and her sisters. However, due to the fact their label LaFace already had a girl group, the troublesome TLC, they decided not to sign another, but they did take a liking to Toni's voice, which was reminiscent of veteran singer, Anita Baker. And so her singing career began.

The other sisters struggled through group and solo projects, but none matched the success of Toni Braxton at LaFace. It wasn't because the others couldn't sing, but due to the material they were given. Great songs are a big commodity in music, as material will make or break you. As the phrase goes, "You're only as good as your last hit."

"Braxton Family Values" is somewhat sad, as some of the sisters seem envious of the success Toni, 42, received over an 18-year career. You sense that almost immediately and it was to be expected to some degree, but with one sister it seems like resentment. Tamar Braxton, 34, comes across as the most bitter, as her solo career did not reach the heights her sister's did.

Tamar, who is, uh, very confident (yea that's it), referred to herself on the show as "one of the best singers in the world" (you go girlfriend) had two R&B hit singles in the 1990s and sold 100,000 copies of her debut album. It's not that she can't sing, because all the sisters can. However, the material she received wasn't strong enough.

Toni was also correct in describing Tamar's attitude as "abrasive." Most people don't want to spend time in the field with artists that have constant temper tantrums and attitudes, as Tamar displayed on the reality show. She comes across as spoiled, with an overwhelming air of entitlement, due to her husband.

Tamar, 34, is married to music executive, Vincent Herbert, who in all honestly, she doesn't seem to be in love with, as she talks more about him signing Lady GaGa and helping said singer, while not assisting her with a solo album. Tamar talks more about Herbert's position and money, than love. The two were also seen fighting on camera. This can't be good for a marriage.

Sadly, the Braxtons seem to have lost touch with their roots and it has brought them much sadness. Yes, they still profess their Christian faith, but they've become quite Hollywood and it has damaged them. For example, they like to drink liquor, but considering Toni Braxton has serious health issues and her look alike sister Trina, has become an alcoholic with a DUI under her belt, drinking is clearly not for them.

In short, this family can't hold their liquor and it is breeding addiction and other problems. I'm not writing it to be mean, but pointing out the obvious they seem oblivious to, because they are going to hurt themselves if they continue with the drinking. Yes, Jesus did turn water to wine in the Bible, but not for people to get drunk on it.

Towanda Braxton spoke of her open marriage on the show, which really is not a healthy Christian lifestyle. It's not healthy for anyone - Christian or not. She needs to remedy that. Towanda and her husband need to work out their differences and not present an open marriage as the way to live to their impressionable children. That is not God's plan for anyone's life and it has to be heartbreaking. I hope they are able to sort that out and properly reconcile.

Toni's marriage is not in a good state either. For years she has been married to Keri Lewis of the music group Mint Condition. However their marriage has encountered some problems and they are separated. It's always sad to see that happen to people.

Toni Braxton

The couple have two children, one of whom is autistic. He's a sweet little boy. Toni has also battled her own health problems, such as breast cancer, angina and lupus. That's a serious triple threat. She really could use her husband and family together.

It's sad to see Christian families experience such trouble, but such is life. However, Christians must strive to do better and not stay stuck in the things they know to be wrong and destructive in God's sight.

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