

11 Toni Braxton Quotes That Are As Iconic As She Is
Toni Braxton is an iconic American singer and songwriter who has touched the hearts of millions with her soulful voice. She burst onto the music scene in the '90s with popular ballads like "Un-break My Heart" and "Breathe Again" and hits like "He Wasn't Man Enough" and "You're Makin' Me High." Toni's voice is pure velvet, and her songs are a soundtrack to love and heartbreak during a time that was rich with R&B music staples. But she's not just a singing sensation; she's also a talented actress, author, and TV personality who received a bit of a resurgence with the popularity of Braxton Family Values and her relationship with Birdman later in her career.
Over the years, Toni has also been a spokesperson for lupus. The 56-year-old has been living with the most common form of lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Since her diagnosis in 2008, Toni has been very open about her battle with lupus and the complications that come with living with a chronic autoimmune disease. In a revealing exclusive with PEOPLE, the singer shared her experience of learning in late 2022 that she could have suffered a life-threatening heart attack because her "left main coronary artery was 80% blocked" after delaying some tests.
Toni recalled the discovery being a "traumatic moment for me" that left her in "shock." Toni had to undergo an emergency surgery where a stent was placed in her heart to keep the previously blocked passageway open. She was hospitalized for a few days, but it ultimately opened Toni's eyes to the importance of keeping up with tests even if they can be taxing, they are preventative. She explained to PEOPLE:
"I look at it like it was a blessing in disguise for me because now, putting off tests? Oh no, I will not put off tests.' If all I have to do for my lupus and my kidney health is pee in a cup, I can pee in a cup. How many times do you need me to pee? If all I gotta do is get my arm pricked for some blood? Oh yes, I can do that. How many vials do you need?"
Toni has thankfully recovered from her surgery and is taking things day by day health-wise. In terms of her advocacy work, she is continuing to spread the word as a spokesperson in the recent Get Uncomfortable with Lupus Nephritis campaign, about the downsides of living with lupus, and the ups because, as the mother of two says, "The glass is always half full."
It's no coincidence that it's October 7th, and you're seeing this article. In fact, October 7th just so happens to be Ms. Toni Michelle Braxton's bday. In honor of one of our favorite Libras birthdays and her commitment to keeping it real at every stage of her career, we have compiled a list of quotes by the entertainer that are just as iconic as she is.
"If I'm uncomfortable, you'd never know."
- Toni Braxton
âSome days, having lupus is like waking up with the flu. Every day my body aches, and I donât always feel my best. But I have good days, so I take them and always try to be positive. I get up every morning and do what I have to do, because I have kids and a family to keep healthy for.â
- Toni Braxton on having lupus, ESSENCE
"I hate to even think about that decision I made. I believe in pro-choice. It was just a moment in my life that, with all the success I was blessed with, I guess that came with it."
- Toni Braxton on her decision to have an abortion in early 1999
"There are good days and bad days. I'm going to be honest, sometimes the bad days get me down. I'm not superwoman. I like to think I am. I like to feel like I'm that boss bitch all the time, but I'm also a human. When my body tells me to take it down and relax, I have to listen to it."
- Toni Braxton, PEOPLE
"Sad songs seem to work for me, but I don't want to be redundant; I want to add a little flavor."
- Toni Braxton
âWhen youâre younger, you care about everything â what they say, what they write, how they feel. You get a little older, youâre like, âyou know what? I canât worry about that today. I got to worry about what I think about myself.'â
- Toni Braxton on being more carefree in life, ESSENCE
"Although becoming a singer was my plan A after first hearing Whitney Houston when I was 17, I started off with plan B by going to the teacher-training college that my dad went to. It was a slow coming of age."
âIt was perpetual guilt. Looking back, there were situations where I go: âYou should have lived louder.ââ
- Toni Braxton on the guilt she felt after achieving solo success, The Guardian
"Performing live is the greatest high in the world. That's why I do what I do."
- Toni Braxton
"I always felt this need to do my best immediately. The first album was done on purpose, you know, making me a little more adult contemporary. By the time the second album came around I wanted to be my age. I didnât want to wear all these long gowns; I wanted to wear jeans or a catsuit."
- Toni Braxton on her career transitions as she grew as an artist, The Guardian
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Exclusive: Gabrielle Union On Radical Transparency, Being Diagnosed With Perimenopause And Embracing Whatâs Next
Whenever Gabrielle Union graces the movie screen, she immediately commands attention. From her unforgettable scenes in films like Bring It On and Two Can Play That Game to her most recent film, in which she stars and produces Netflixâs The Perfect Find, thereâs no denying that she is that girl.
Off-screen, she uses that power for good by sharing her trials and tribulations with other women in hopes of helping those who may be going through the same things or preventing them from experiencing them altogether. Recently, the Flawless by Gabrielle Union founder partnered with Clearblue to speak at the launch of their Menopause Stage Indicator, where she also shared her experience with being perimenopausal.
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a âbad motherfucker.â Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause ârefers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.â
âI haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,â she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, âOh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, âUhh, Iâm still going (laughs).ââ
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with womenâs bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielleâs and the Tia Mowryâs, more women are having an authentic discourse about womenâs health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
âI want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,â she says. âSo, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. Iâm a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what Iâm saying? None of that has to change. How Iâm a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.â
The Being Mary Jane star hasnât been shy about her stance on therapy. If you donât know, hereâs a hint: sheâs all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. Iâm a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what Iâm saying? None of that has to change. How Iâm a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
âI hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,â she says, âbecause we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.â
Gabrielleâs transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like sheâs your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, weâve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, sheâs asking, âWhatâs next?â
âThis is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,â says the NAACP Image Award winner. âThe notion of like, âOh, so and so changed. They got brand new.â I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, âSo I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.â
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Ari Lennox has been heating up Instagram with sensual photos showing off her toned physique. The âGet Closeâ singer is currently on tour with Rod Wave and is giving us a peek at her show fits, which includes shimmer bikini tops and mini skirts that show off her abs. Ari began her physical transformation in 2021, and while the sultry singer has always gave bawdy, she decided to step her health up a notch. Speaking to Hot 97's Nessa, the âPressureâ artist revealed some of the ways she likes to stay in shape.
Ari Lennox On Her Fitness Regimen
âWhile I was in California, I was hiking a lot. I found an amazing trail. Shoutout to my tour manager, Jess. She put me onto this amazing trail called Temescal trail, and I fell in love with it,â she said. âBut I was pissed the first time because itâs so strenuous, but then Iâm like, âOh, this is doing something, this is good. The more strenuous, the better. That is my thing, but I prefer doing it in mountainous areas like California.â
As she continued talking about hiking, she also dished on her other go-to moves, which included a popular YouTuberâs workout videos. âSo, I do like it, but if Iâm not there, then I like walking in nature like thatâs my exercise,â she said. âLike that, and Grow with Jo. Like she has dope HIIT workouts on YouTube. I like those, and then Iâve been doing jumping jacks lately.â
Back in 2021, the "Pressure" singer's former trainer revealed that she was working out 4-5 times a week and eating clean.
Ari Lennox On Her Sobriety
Keeping her body in motion is one important factor in staying healthy, but so is giving up alcohol. The Grammy-nominated artist is 11 months sober and opened up about her sobriety in a vulnerable July Instagram post. While talking to Nessa, Ari delved deeper into what sparked her sobriety and why she decided to share it with the world. âI just wasnât able to protect myself in so many wild ways. So many sad ways, dark ways. I was not able to protect myself, and it was crazy because I was thinking that I was,â she admitted.
âI was thinking that I was in so much control, and I literally was in a space where I was allowing so many devils to come in and just take advantage of me âcause I was just not there. I was just not there. I wasnât able to protect me, so now Iâm in a space where it feels good to protect me, and itâs like, wow, this seems a lot more in control than I thought drinking was.â
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