When one thinks of ’90s R&B, some key icons typically come to mind, including Toni Braxton’s unique and sultry voice.
Braxton’s journey began way before her 1992 commercial debut when she was featured on the soundtrack to the comedy/romance film “Boomerang,” starring Eddie Murphy, Robin Givens, and Halle Berry.
Several interviews and appearances have documented that Braxton and her family got their musical start in the church.
Braxton’s religious upbringing would prove to be a foundation for her musical success. She went on to give the world chart-topping hits like “Un-Break My Heart,” “Breathe Again,” and “Just Be A Man About It.” Her musical contributions earned her critical success and seven Grammy Awards, a testament to her talent and hard work.
The Maryland-born singer diversified her entertainment portfolio by appearing on television and in films. According to Playbill, the mother of two became the first and only Black woman to be cast as Belle in the Broadway production of “Beauty and the Beast.”
Braxton’s career had reached successful heights, but like many other artists in the ’90s, she faced the harsh reality of poorly constructed record deals. A previous report from AFROTECH™ detailed her experience. Braxton’s debut self-titled album generated $170 million in global sales, yet she would only receive a reported $1,972 from her first record contract.
Noting that expenses such as studio time, travel, clothing, and music video production were subtracted from her earnings, Braxton was in debt despite her commercial success.
“What happens is they give you advancement on the next record and then the next record,” Braxton told “Good Morning America.” “So you kind of stay in debt, in a sense.”
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Despite the financial setbacks, Braxton remained resilient. She bounced back by producing more music. However, she found herself at the center of her financial troubles, filing for bankruptcy twice in her career — once due to lavish spending in 1998 and another in 2010 precipitated by poor album sales and illness before her Las Vegas, NV, residency.
“I love dishes and house things, so I kind of lost it a little bit on the houseware,” Braxton said to “Good Morning America.”
She continued: “The Vegas show, I just renewed all my contracts with all my vendors, and then a month later, I got sick.”
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Toni Braxton has turned it around despite those challenges, maintaining an estimated net worth of $10 million.
A contributing factor to Toni Braxton’s current net worth is the 56-year-old’s extensive music career. The long-time Babyface collaborator is now in a space where her classic hits are sampled and enjoyed in new ways by current generations.
Nigerian artist Burna Boy sampled Braxton’s “He Wasn’t Man Enough” for his song “Last Last.” As a result, Braxton receives 60% of earnings.
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“It was actually my idea, to be honest,” Burna Boy said on the “Million Dollaz Worth Of Game” podcast. “I always wanted to use that sample, and I knew Chopstix could do something crazy with it. I just pointed that sh-t out, and he took it from there. That’s one of the most special creative processes ever, but she is taking 60% of the sh-t.”
Outside of music, Braxton is most known for her reality television series, “Braxton Family Values,” with her sisters. The We TV show premiered in 2011 and ended in 2020. However, Braxton revealed that her family would be returning to reality television with “The Braxtons” to document their healing journey following the passing of her sister, Traci.
“Everyone has had a loss in their families, and for us, it was our first, and it’s been difficult to deal with,” Braxton shared with Entertainment Tonight “But we’ve had so many people and fans welcoming us, so that part helps us. I don’t think people realize how much they’re helping us.”
The family just wrapped shooting, although no specific air date has been announced, as of March 2024.
