
Toni Braxton On Being Unapologetically Sexy In Her 50s: 'I'm Feeling Myself'

Legendary singer and actress Toni Braxton defies the age-related biases many women encounter after turning 50.
In the past, middle-aged women were often stereotyped as non-sexual beings, a perception rooted in the hormonal changes associated with perimenopause and menopause. Some of the effects women experience during this period of their lives include irregular menstrual cycles, mood changes, weight gain, reduced libido, and more.
Despite these challenges, the "Breathe Again" vocalist has made it her mission not to let aging hinder her from embracing her sensuality or captivating fans' attention with her mesmerizing looks on social media.
Most of Braxton's viral posts featured the 56-year-old showcasing her tight physique in swimsuits and revealing ensembles. Recently, Braxton made headlines after sharing a topless photo on Instagram. In the upload, the mother of two used her favorite pastime as an excuse behind the risque snapshot.
"I'm about to take a dip in the pool real quick," she wrote while asking her fans what they had planned for the weekend.
Braxton's initial explanation surrounding the viral upload didn't last for long because she was forced to address the photo during an interview with Entertainment Tonight as she and her adult sons Diezel and Denim Lewis attended the Bad Boys: Ride or Die premiere in Los Angeles.
Braxton On Feeling Sexy And Why She Isn’t Afraid to Age
During the discussion, the "He Wasn't Man Enough for Me" songstress shared that she posted the pic because she was fascinated with her appearance and wanted the world to see it.
"I was feeling myself, " she said. “I'm feeling myself, so I thought I'd show it."
Later in the conversation, Braxton added that she hopes her comfort in her own skin and lack of fear in showcasing it in her 50s will inspire others to embrace their aging journey.
"I wanted people to know that 50s is still sexy, and it's OK, and don't be afraid to age,” she added. “I felt a little some kind of way when I turned 50, but I'm OK. I'm alright about it."
Since then, Braxton has remained authentic to herself and continues to break the internet, most recently with a behind-the-scenes video revealing her red-carpet attire from the movie premiere. In the clip, a shirtless Braxton exudes confidence in a light-colored suit and strikes poses to Victoria Monét's hit "On My Mama." In addition to the upload, the "So Yesterday" singer penned the caption, "I look good, and I feel good!"
With this bold move, Braxton is reshaping the conversation about aging and appearance, which could inspire others to be themselves unapologetically.
Here Are Some Of Toni Braxton's Looks Throughout The Years
Toni Braxton At The 9th Annual Soul Train Awards
Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images
Toni Braxton At 1997 APLA Tom Ford
Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc
Toni Braxton At The 43rd Grammy Awards
Photo by SGranitz/WireImage
Toni Braxton At The 2016 BET Awards
Photo by Allen Berezovsky/WireImage
Toni Braxton At The 57th Grammy Awards
Photo by Dan MacMedan/WireImage
Toni Braxton At The "Bad Boys: Ride Or Die" Premiere
Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures
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Feature image by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Are You & Your Partner Financially Compatible? Here’s How To Tell.
With nearly half of all marriages that end in divorce citing finances as the nail in the coffin to deading their relationship, financial compatibility is one aspect of long-term compatibility that doesn't get talked about enough. Beyond the circular 50/50 discourse and whatever hot-button issues regarding providers and the like, at its core, financial compatibility is about how well your financial behaviors, values, and long-term goals align with those of your partner.
More than it is about how much money a person makes or doesn't make, financial compatibility focuses on how you think about money, how you spend your money, and most importantly, how you plan for the future with your money. Think, questions about money mindsets, spending habits, debt, budget, etc. Are you a saver and he's a spender? Do you see money as a tool for freedom? Does he see it as something to hold on tightly to as a means of survival? Can you talk about your financial goals and plans openly?
Knowing if you and your partner are financially compatible can save a lot of heartache, a lot of headaches, and a lot of money in the end. Keep reading for a few key indicators to pay attention to and learn whether or not you and your partner are truly aligned financially.
Signs You’re Financially Compatible
1. You can talk about money without judgment.
Conversations about money aren't something you dread. You're able to talk to your partner freely and openly about money matters, like debts, bills, the budget, etc., even when it is uncomfortable. There is an understanding that talking about money doesn't have to be something you're on the defense about, instead it's an opportunity for transparency, clarity, and solutions.
2. You respect each other's money personalities.
What is a money personality? According to Ken Honda, author of Happy Money, a money personality is our "approach and emotional responses to money" and there are seven money personalities we can fall under. These personalities can help us understand our own relationship with money, as well as our partner's. For example, maybe you're someone who likes to treat yourself to a fancy dinner once a month and your partner is someone who believes ordering takeout and not cooking meals at home is a cardinal sin.
When you can respect each other's money personalities, neither approach is subjected to judgment and shifts can be made in each other's spending habits as needed and from a place of love versus guilt or shame.
3. You agree on what it means to have "financial security."
Whether it’s building a stacked emergency fund, paying off debt before putting a downpayment on a home or being able to splurge on a baecation without checking your account balance before the bill arrives, your definitions of what it means to be financially secure are in sync, or at least compatible enough to reach a compromise.
4. You are not each other's "financial parent."
You’re not constantly teaching, fixing, or stressing out over what the other person is doing with their money. Although I fast-forwarded through a lot of the most recent season of Love Is Blind, I did pay attention to Virginia and Devin and money seemed to be a recurring theme in their conversations. It was clear Virginia had her ish together when it came to money and her financial plans for the future and Devin was not quite on her level.
Though she said no at the altar for additional reasons, I could also see how sis could eventually get very tired of being her partner's second mama, so to speak. And that's the thing about being your partner's "financial parent," eventually, you could end up feeling like you are one-half of a "parenting" or "teaching" dynamic with your partner instead of feeling like you're equals in a partnership.
5. You make financial decisions with each other in mind, not for each other.
Whether it’s booking a trip, deciding which debt to tackle first, saving up for a big purchase, or planning out your next move, there’s a mutual respect for each other’s input. Those shared goals might look like wealth, freedom, stability, or just a debt-free life that feels soft and secure.
You don’t have to be chasing the same bag in the same exact way, but you do need to be aligned on the vision. What you're building should feel like a joint venture with shared effort and purpose, not one of y’all making major money moves like you're still single. Making financial decisions is not just about where the money goes, it's about where you’re going together.
6. You're aligned when it comes to the big stuff.
Financial compatibility extends to the long-term of money management. The legacy, structure, and shared responsibility that comes with decisions like shared accounts, estate planning, having babies, or even blending families. Will you split bills or combine income? Who’s taking time off if you have a child? How do y’all feel about generational wealth or investing for your family’s future? You and your partner have had the real conversations.
These conversations can’t wait until after the wedding or until after a baby’s here. They’re the foundation for how you function as a unit, and if you're not aligned, or at least willing to get on the same page, that incompatibility can cause friction in the end that love alone can't fix.
Love is cute and all, but building an empire together? That’s the real flex. Tap into our new series Making Cents to see what financial compatibility really looks like when love and legacy go hand in hand.
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