
Toni Braxton's New Look Is Proof That She Can Literally Slay Any Hairstyle

The queen Toni Braxton is not just some artist, she is THE artist. And she's the ultimate muse for reinventing herself, maintaining a career that spans over nearly three decades. She is notorious for switching up her looks for the people, and she is notorious for slaying each look every time.
And her most recent look is no different, as she hit us with the ultimate flex.
How? Well, because auntie is rocking the cutest, sleekest, blonde pixie, and we can't help but to swoon. While promoting her latest album, Spell My Name, which was released on vinyl December 4, the 53-year-old singer took to social media to model her new look. Sis stunned us all in a bold red lip, in a sheer black top, and stylish rose-tinted sunglasses. In her debut for the look, she said:
"They say blondes have more fun! I'll let you know after Thanksgiving! Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy Holiday!"
And make no mistake about it, we all know Toni isn't new to the pixie cut. She first stepped on the scene in 1993 with an iconic short look for her debut album. Additionally, her music catapulted to the top of the charts, having us all running to the salon asking for "the Toni Braxton cut" (it actually was the most requested hairstyle among black women that year). And since then, she's known for keeping us on our toes and basically single-handedly switching it up for entire generations (even with Beyonce releasing images dressed up as Braxton for Halloween in 2018).
And it has remained this way, for as long as I can remember. Even her most iconic looks were all accompanied with new hair.
From her jaw-dropping Grammys ensemble:
The night she picked up the award for best female R&B vocal performance, she wore a dazzling barely-there dress and golden locks as she worked the room. She told People:
"I've always gone a little risque with all my other awards [show outfits]. I decided that before I got married and had babies, I'd wear this."
To that time she asked bae to un-break her heart:
YouTube
Braxton's most known single had recently been recognized by YouTube for surpassing 500 million views. Of the accolade, she told the December issue of Harper's Baazar Vietnam:
"The day I received the notification call from YouTube, I was shocked! The milestone of 500 million views is so surreal. [I] remind myself of it every day. I am grateful and happy with everything God gave me."
To her recently stunning in barely-there Christmas attire.
...she can slay it all.
But don't expect her to stop giving us style envy anytime soon, when asked in an interview with Soul Train if she preferred short or long hair, the singer, who has been battling lupus, said:
"Today it's long hair. Tomorrow it could be short hair."
A.K.A. she doesn't have a preference, but that she can certainly keep up.
And although we don't know quite yet what she's going to serves us with next, we can gladly say we'll be tuned in...as we have been for almost 30 years.
Are you a member of our insiders squad? Join us in the xoTribe Members Community today!
Feature image via Toni Braxton/Instagram
Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
Roscoe Dash joined xoMan host Kiara Walker to share the journey of his personal and spiritual evolution—from the party anthems that made him famous to a deeper life rooted in faith, family, and purpose. This episode offers an honest look at how the artist has grown beyond early fame, addressing fatherhood, masculinity, creativity, and healing.
Dash opened up about the internal transformation that has guided him away from chasing the spotlight and toward seeking peace. “Faith and fear can’t occupy the same space,” he said, underscoring his shift toward a more spiritually grounded life. Throughout the interview, he emphasized the importance of self-reflection:
“The most important conversations to me, honestly, outside of the ones you have with God, is the ones you have with yourself in the mirror.”
Dash is focused on the man he’s become. “I’m not the accolades I’ve achieved—I’m the person who achieved them,” he added, pointing to a broader understanding of identity and worth. A large part of that growth has come through fatherhood, especially raising daughters, which he said has deepened his understanding of love. “Love is unconditional and love loves to love no matter what,” he shared.
He also spoke candidly about the pressures of fame and its impact on creativity. “Chasing fame can kill your creativity as a musician,” he warns. Instead, his advice to other artists is simple but clear: “Keep your focus on your art form, whatever that may be, and stay passionate.”
The conversation also touches on gender dynamics and emotional safety in relationships. “Safe men make soft women. If she feels safe, she’ll melt like butter,” he said, challenging traditional notions of masculinity. Roscoe also offers wisdom on discernment and spiritual testing: “Sometimes the devil will give you what looks better than your blessing.”
Ultimately, Dash has learned to embrace peace over chaos. “All I can do is control what I can control. And that's how I respond to things and what I'm giving out,” he said. It’s a thoughtful, soulful side of Roscoe Dash that many may not expect—but one that leaves a lasting impression.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube