May 9, 2024 – Toni Braxton, the iconic voice behind the soulful ballad “Unbreak My Heart,” has opened up about the profound loss of her younger sister, Traci Braxton, who tragically passed away from cancer in 2022 at the age of 50. In a poignant interview, Toni shared her enduring grief and how she finds solace in her sister’s memory.
Toni Braxton performing during her 2024 Las Vegas residency, Love & Laughter.
Toni Braxton during a performance for her 2024 Las Vegas residency, Love & Laughter. (Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas)
“She’s always with me. I miss her every day. I can’t even explain to you how I miss her,” Toni confessed to People magazine. The Grammy Award-winning singer carries the weight of her sister’s absence, but she finds strength in her memories, especially when she graces the stage for her Las Vegas residency with Cedric The Entertainer.
“I miss her, but I know she’s with me. I know she’s holding my hand and talking to me and giving me the courage to get up here and have a good time and entertain you guys, ’cause this is what I love doing as a performer,” Toni shared with the audience during a recent performance.
In a testament to their bond, Toni and her remaining sisters, Towanda, Trina, Tamar, along with their mother, Dr. Evelyn Braxton, have come together for a new reality television series poignantly titled The Braxtons.
This new venture delves into the family’s journey of healing and resilience in the face of unimaginable loss. “The ‘Breathe Again’ singer reveals that the series will offer an intimate glimpse into the family’s experience of “dealing with grief and loss – and how I like to say, it’s difficult trying to live with a broken heart.”
Toni Braxton with her sisters (from left) Tamar, Traci, Trina, Towanda, and their mother, Evelyn, in 2013.
Toni Braxton with her sisters (from left) Tamar, Traci, Trina, Towanda, and their mother, Evelyn, in 2013. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)
Despite the somber undertones, Toni assures that The Braxtons will showcase the enduring strength and love that binds their family. Production for the upcoming series is “going well,” according to Toni. “We just started, so we’re just in the fundamental stages.” She acknowledges the void left by Traci, stating, “We miss Traci, we can’t deny that, but it’s fun, us sisters getting together and reminiscing, but it’s going to be a different show [to their previous series Braxton Family Values].”
Toni and Traci, along with their sisters Tamar, Trina, and Towanda, first captivated audiences as the musical group, The Braxtons. Toni’s solo career took flight in the 1990s, but the sisters’ bond remained unbreakable.
The news of Traci’s passing in 2022 sent shockwaves through the music industry and beyond. Toni took to Instagram to share the heartbreaking news with the world, posting a poignant black-and-white photo of herself and her sisters.
“It is with the utmost regret that we inform you of the passing of our sister, Traci,” the caption read. “Needless to say, she was a bright light, a wonderful daughter, an amazing sister, a loving mother, wife, grandmother and a respected performer. We will miss her dearly,” Toni continued.
Toni Braxton lost her younger sister Traci Braxton on March 12, 2022.
Toni Braxton and her sisters mourn the loss of their sister, Traci Braxton, who passed away on March 12, 2022. (Picture: Getty)
Traci’s husband, Kevin Surratt, confirmed her battle with Esophageal cancer, revealing that she had been privately undergoing treatment for over a year. “We have come to a time where we must inform the public that after a year of privately undergoing a series of treatments for Esophageal cancer our beloved Traci Braxton has gone on to glory,” Surratt shared.
Through their grief, the Braxton family continues to honor Traci’s legacy, finding strength in their bond and sharing their story with the world. Their upcoming series promises to be a testament to the power of family, resilience, and the enduring spirit of love that transcends even the deepest of losses.
