| Braxton Family Values | |
|---|---|
| Format | Reality |
| Starring | Toni Braxton Tamar Braxton Towanda Braxton Traci Braxton Trina Braxton Evelyn Braxton |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 13 (as of Nov. 17, 2011) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Archie Gips |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Magical Elves |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | WEtv |
| Original run | April 12, 2011 – present |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Tamar & Vince |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Braxton Family Values is an American reality series on WEtv starring Grammy-winner Toni Braxton and her sisters. The series premiered on April 12, 2011.
The show features the rambunctious, tight-knit Braxton sisters — Grammy Award-winning artist Toni Braxton, Traci, Towanda, Trina and Tamar — and their headstrong mother, Evelyn, and offers an inside look at their lives and the drama of family chaos.
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Toni Michelle Braxton was born October 7, 1967 in Severn, Maryland as the first daughter of Michael and Evelyn Braxton. Toni spent much of her childhood with her sisters watching Soul Train and listening to music.
As she grew older, Toni became inspired by the greats such as Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan. Her mother's religious teachings eventually contributed to Toni's musical style as well. She discovered her singing talents as a member of the church choir, which her mother founded. Although Toni knew she wanted to pursue a singing career, she also received a college education at Bowie State University. While studying to be a teacher, Toni never gave up music. She continued singing lessons to fulfill her true passion in life.
Remaining true to their love for music, Toni and her sisters formed a group called "The Braxtons." Their first single "The Good Life" managed to catch the ear of Babyface and Antonio "L.A." Reid," of LaFace Records. "The Good Life" was good enough for Toni's career, as it led to her record contract with LaFace.
Toni’s singles such as "Give U My Heart" (a duet with Babyface) and "Love Shoulda Brought You Home" both appeared on the Billboard charts. Her debut album, the self-entitled "Toni Braxton," was released in 1993 and spawned the hits "Another Sad Love Song," "You Mean The World To Me" and "Breathe Again." Her critically acclaimed album and sultry style earned her a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1993. Her follow-up album, the 1996 Secrets, also did not disappoint.
The hit song "Un-Break My Heart" is still considered Toni’s biggest international single. Toni also contributed to another soundtrack: the female bonding film Waiting to Exhale.
Toni has also had a successful run with her show, Toni Braxton Revealed, which takes place in Las Vegas.
Toni has sold over 60 million albums and singles and has starred in two "Disney" Broadway hit shows, "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aida."
Along with all her accomplishments, six Grammy awards she also has managed to be mother of two boys and the spokesperson for "Autism Speaks."
Traci Renee Braxton was born April 2, 1972, the 3rd child and second daughter born to Michael and Evelyn Braxton. She is a talented writer and singer, is a genuine people person.
She contributed much of her adult life to social work for children with disabilities. Due to her decision to settle down and start a family early in life, Traci still searches for her rightful place in the entertainment industry.
Traci lives in Maryland with her husband, Kevin and her son, Kevin Jr. She hopes to one day make it back on stage where she feels the most comfortable, singing in a microphone.
Michael and Evelyn Braxton gave birth to their 4th child Towanda Chloe Braxton on September 18, 1973. Even though Towanda and her siblings were reared in the church singing, Towanda knew she wanted to spread her wings and become a trailblazer in her own right as an entertainer. At a young age Towanda had the natural gift for acting.
She studied music education at Bowie State University and is a member of Zeta Phi Beta.
Towanda played the role as Lorelle in the off Broadway play "Dreamgirls." But Towanda decided to follow her other passion for singing.
Although in the past Towanda was a part of "The Braxtons" album with Tamar and Trina in 1996, she searches for more in the world of entertainment.
Towanda was a main character in the Emmy award-winning show "Starting Over." She has also been exercising her drama muscle with acting workshops.
Towanda resides in Lawrenceville, Georgia with two small children and her husband, Andre. She hopes to fulfill her dreams and become a successful writer and actor. She is currently working closely with Toni in her business affairs and singing background.
Trina E. Braxton, the 5th child of Michael and Evelyn Braxton was born December 3, 1975, is a multi-talented actress and singer. Most notably she has acted in Tyler Perry’s play, "Meet the Browns." As well as being an actress, Trina started singing with her sisters when she was barely a pre-teen – they formed a group known as "The Braxtons." While in the group she discovered her passion for songwriting and modeling.
Trina currently resides in Suwanee, Georgia with her second husband Gabriel (Gabe) Solis and sons Eric (16 years old) and Caleb (13 years old). She had her first son at the age of 17.
Today Trina finds herself singing background for sister, Toni, and contributing vocals for a wedding band called "Simply Irresistible."
In addition, Trina also juggles her busy schedule as mom, wife, and online college student with her career as singer and inspiring actress. Now that Trina’s children are all grown-up she enjoys her "me time" partaking in the nightlife scene.
Trina's ultimate goal is to find success in her marriage and family relationships, to be a great parent and to be content with her career.
Tamar Estine Braxton was born March 17, 1977, and is the youngest of the Braxton children. She has always harbored a passion for the closeness of her family.
Tamar started singing background for her sister, Toni, at age 11. She was also a member of the sisters’ group, "The Braxtons."
Tamar knew as early as 3 years old that she wanted to be on the stage.
While writing and actively singing on Toni’s albums, Tamar began working closely with "super producer," executive and best friend to Toni, Vincent Herbert and they got married in the fall of 2008.
While still being a well sought after background singer, Tamar signed a new deal with her husband’s record label and is currently working on her long awaited album.
Tamar is also an actress who has worked with Tyler Perry on the play "Madea Goes to Jail" as well as a voice-over for Will Smith’s web-a-sodes, "The Fresh Prince."
Despite the portrayal of her singing career on the show, Tamar did indeed release a solo album in 2000 via Dreamworks Records.
At the Braxton Family Reunion, Wendy Williams announced that Tamar was voted the Favorite Braxton.
Evelyn Braxton grew up in South Carolina with several brothers and sisters. At the age of 13 she experienced a life-change when she moved to Maryland alone to live with her aunt who had no children. This is where she met Michael Braxton and married him at the age of 18. Evelyn gave birth to her first daughter, Toni, after only one year of marriage. Following their firstborn Evelyn had 4 more daughters, as well as a son, Michael.
Evelyn came into her own as a full-time mother, a pastor and the children’s singing coach. She took great pride in her talented children; every Sunday she and the children would sing in the "family" church choir. Not knowing that her daughters would take their singing careers to the next level, she was suddenly thrown into "Momager" (mom + manager) for her very young daughters.
After her daughters became "of age" she decided she’d spent enough time on tour and decided to take some time for herself. Evelyn attended Sojourner College (Annapolis, Maryland) and Bowie State University where she studied Social Science and Psychology. She also attended Wesley Seminary College in Washington, D.C..
Evelyn has pastored and counseled at her own church for many years. She has also tenured as a volunteer counselor at Sarah’s House of Distressed Women and Family shelter.
Due to personal struggles that Evelyn had overcome, she embarked on a new passion of life coaching and started her organization "God Can Heal the Heart," which is a self-empowering mentorship that helps encourage, motivate and support other men and women who have been through personal trauma.
Evelyn also has 11 grandchildren, who she adores and enjoys spending time with.
Her motto is and forever claims, "All that I am and all that I ever hope to be — I owe it all to God — for He has healed my heart."
(Tamar's husband and Toni's former manager)
Tamar's husband, Vincent Herbert, born December 31, has been the man in the background of many famous recording artists over the last 10 years, creating hits for Destiny's Child, Michael Jackson, Jo Jo, Stevie Wonder and many more, including megastar Lady Gaga. When the 19-year-old Stefani Joanna Angelina Germanotta decided to put all her effort in her music, she rejected Def Jam but got a new chance when her ex-boyfriend and co-writer Rob Fusari sent the songs he produced with her to Vincent, who was then a producer and record executive at Streamline Records, an imprint of Interscope Records. This became the big breakthrough for young Lady Gaga, since she got the opportunity to write songs for artists such as the Pussycat Dolls, Fergie and Britney Spears. Gaga credits Herbert as the one who discovered her saying, "I really feel like we made pop history, and we're going to keep doing it."
(Towanda's husband)
Andre Montellus Carter was born in Long Island, New York and moved to Atlanta, Georgia when he was "too young to remember" and now claims the city that is "too busy to hate" as home. He has one older brother who lives in Los Angeles, California. Both young men were reared in a strict home where education and spirituality were core values. A 1980 graduate of Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia, Andre later obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. Andre's grandmother is a spiritual counselor and his mother taught French, Spanish, English in the Atlanta public school district and received her Master's degree in all three.
Andre developed a passion for writing in a unique manner. At the age of five, his mother began asking him and his brother to tell her about their days during the home for school. They were far too many instances when the lulls in the conversation were just too unbearable for their mother. It was a life-changing moment in the author's childhood when his mother said to him and his brother, "Since you two act like it's too hard for you to say what's on your mind around me, then maybe it'll be easier for you to say it with pencil and paper." The two brothers were then required to spend an hour in their rooms after school each weekday in order to prepare a one page hand-written journal that was to be read aloud to their mother at the kitchen table. Andre, literally, fell in love with the routine. His very first communication, outside of the journals that he read to his mother, was a four-page, front and page, love letter that he gave to his eighth grade girlfriend.
"Writing is my therapy," Andre says. "It gives me a better understand of who I am and my interpretation of my life experiences." Andre has written and self-published five books since 2000. "Crazy for a Man", a fictional novel centering on the strong influence his mother had in his development. "Code Dan", a book about being trapped in the corporate world, which he was; "Who Wears the Pants"; "Fried Fish" and a new book that will be revealed in Season Two.
Andre and Towanda are currently legally separated but still living together. They've been married for seven years and dated for seven years prior to that. They have two children together, Braxton, 5, and Brooke, 4. Andre met Towanda in his early 30s while she was promoting an album in a club in Atlanta. He says she was dancing on the floor then stood by him, rubbing his fingernails and asked, "Do you get manicures?" Andre responded, "Why, do you give 'em?"
Andre admits his relationship with the Braxton family is a shaky bridge and he never knows which way it will sway.
(Trina's husband)
Trina's husband, Gabe Solis, is a software developer.
When asked what the best of being married to Trina is, Gabe answers: "getting to wake up to her every morning."
Nick-named "Fun-snatcher"
(Braxton sisters' father and Evelyn's ex-husband)
Michael Conrad Braxton, Sr. grew up in Maryland and loves the home of the Baltimore Ravens. Like his daughter Traci, he prefers the four seasons to the constant summer in Los Angeles. He spent his life working at Baltimore Gas & Electric and as Methodist clergyman. When his job ended, four years from retired, Michael decided to go back to college to get his degree. He talks to his son, Michael Jr., who lives in Maryland, every day. Since he's been working since age 17, Michael Sr. is now enjoying retirement and wants to travel and reestablish relationships with his daughters and visit his grandchildren as much as possible. Michael and Evelyn, or "Miss E" as he calls her, divorced 12 years ago and Michael Sr. now lives with his second wife in Baltimore.
When Michael was a preacher, his daughters were his choir and sang together. Although he's retired, he has been substitute teaching and is on the board of directors for Anne Arundel County. Michael enjoys giving back to the community and sharing his vast life experience. Since he was from a bad neighborhood, he wants to show today's kid that it's possible can get past all of that and have a better life.
Michael drives a 2010 candy apple red Corvette and admits to being old school and stuck in the 1960s. His daughters him "El Cheapo" for obvious reasons. He learned to dance when he was seven or eight years old and now loves it. He also claims that he didn't have gray hair until Tamar came along.
("Dr. Sherry", Braxton Family Psychologist)
Dr. Sherry earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. She also earned her Master’s of Science Degree from Vanderbilt University after graduating summa cum laude from Tennessee State University. Dr. Sherry believes learning is an unending process and has continued this process with a great deal of specialty training including training from the College of Executive Coaches. "Dr.Sherry", as she is affectionately known by members of the cast, has a recurring role on the show doing therapy sessions with Braxton family members.
Her recently published book; “The Single Married Woman” focuses on empowering women as they deal with balancing multiple roles in their relationships. Every woman even some men, married or not, who’s been in a committed relationship will identify as they laugh and cry about issues.
Dr. Sherry has served on numerous Boards of Directors in the Metropolitan Atlanta area. She has also served as the President of the Metropolitan Atlanta Mental Health Association. She has been awarded and recognized for her work by numerous organizations. Dr. Sherry is sought after by major news network affiliations and radio stations including: ABC affiliate WSB-TV, FOX affiliate WAGA-TV, NBC affiliate WXIA-TV, CBS affiliate WGCL-TV, CWK Network Inc., and cable news networks. She has been heard repeatedly on WJZF-Radio, WVEE-Radio, and other radio stations. In addition to her specialty work with athletes and entertainers, she is in private practice at Touchstone Psychological Services in Atlanta, Georgia. Touchstone Psychological Services provides services to children, adolescents, and adults in the area of assessments, psychotherapy, and education/prevention.
| Ep # | Title | Airdate | US Viewers (million) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Bermuda Triangle" | April 12, 2011 | |
| Ready to relaunch her singing career, R&B superstar Toni invites her four younger sisters to join her for a benefit concert in Bermuda. But old rivalries and resentments threaten to ruin what was meant to be a joyful family reunion. | |||
| 2 | "It's My Party" | April 19, 2011 | |
| Toni’s plans for a quiet birthday are ruined when Tamar convinces her that the sisters should jet to Miami to celebrate. They take a yacht tour, attend a Dolphins game, and shop for a vacation home. Back in Atlanta, Towanda sets Toni up on a date. | |||
| 3 | "Taste of a Wedding Singer" | April 26, 2011 | |
| The Braxton sisters fear that Trina’s weight gain and alcohol abuse are symptoms of a depression. They consult a family therapist, then surprise Trina with an intervention. After a rocky start, progress is made, and the sisters hold hands at the end. | |||
| 4 | "I Love L.A." | May 3, 2011 | |
| The Braxtons travel to Los Angeles, where Toni will be receiving an award. They stay with Tamar and Vince, and are irritated by her “house rules.” Toni shocks her family by confessing she has lupus, and reveals this news at the award ceremony. | |||
| 5 | "From Russia With Love" | May 10, 2011 | |
| Toni, Trina, and Towanda travel to Russia for Toni’s concert. The trip gets off to a rocky start when their luggage gets lost, and Trina loses a tooth. But it’s nothing a little shopping - and more than a little Russian Vodka - can’t solve! | |||
| 6 | "Getting the Band Back Together" | May 17, 2011 | |
| Vince and the Braxton sisters try to get Toni to agree to do a family album. Towanda moves into Toni’s house, and chaos ensues. Trina works on her marriage with Gabe and considers buying a house with him. | |||
| 7 | "Dog of a Birthday Party" | May 24, 2011 | |
| The Braxton’s throw a 60th birthday party for their mother Evelyn at Tamar and Vincent’s house in LA. Despite their good intentions, the sister’s aren’t sure of the perfect gift for their Mom, and argue over the specifics of the party. | |||
| 8 | "To Play or Not to Playboy" | May 31, 2011 | |
| Tamar tries to dissuade Toni from posing for Playboy, even booking a nude shoot for her. Evelyn goes on a blind date with a white guy, a first for her. Tamar throws an “appreciation” party for Vince to convince him to help her with her solo album. | |||
| 9 | "You Can't Go Home Again" | June 7, 2011 | 0.685[1] |
| On Tamar’s advice, the Braxtons fly to Maryland to visit to have a family reunion with their father. They visit their childhood house but are kicked out by the new owners. Dad doesn’t show up to brunch leaving the sisters devastated. Tune in to see their reaction! | |||
| 10 | "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" | June 14, 2011 | 1.062[2] |
| Michael attends a family dinner; Towanda wants to end things with her husband; Toni and her sisters careers' are in jeopardy. | |||
| 11 | "Braxton Family Reunion" | June 14, 2011 | |
| Host Wendy Williams will get the low-down from the sisters on everything, from Toni’s money-woes, Trina’s DUI, their shaky marriages, and anything Tamar! Don’t miss the chance to see what your favorite Braxton is up to on this one-hour special. PLUS, We reveal the results of our "Who's Your Favorite Braxton?" poll! | |||
| Ep # | Title | Airdate | US Viewers (million) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "R.E.S.P.E.C.T." | November 10, 2011 | 1.182[3] |
| First they’re bickering, then they’re booty shaking – Trina, Towanda, Traci, Toni and Tamar are back. When Evelyn and Traci visit Toni in LA, tensions flare due to Tamar’s newfound fame. Trina’s marriage is put to the test thanks to her new houseguests, and Toni admits she’s been seeing her ex. | |||
| 2 | "Beauty School Drop-Out" | November 17, 2011 | 0.859[4] |
| Unhappy with the producer Vince has chosen for her, Tamar goes behind his back to meet with someone else. Traci considers opening a salon and Towanda attempts to whip Toni’s new assistant into shape. | |||
| 3 | "A Snooping Dog" | ||
| Gabe and Trina fight over the GPS he installed in her phone while Tamar flies to Chicago to be a guest D.J. on WGCI. After talking to Towanda about their relationship, Andre’s inspired to write a book. | |||
| 4 | "Toni's New Doo-Wop Chick" | ||
| Toni asks Traci to sing backup for an upcoming gig in Indiana and requests that Tamar teach her the choreography. Evelyn introduces her new man to Trina and Gabe while Towanda considers acting again. | |||
| 5 | "The Graduate" | ||
| Trina's graduation | |||
| 6 | "Family Unite" | ||
| Toni announces a family meeting and drops a bombshell telling everyone that she has a surgery. And one of the sisters is trying to deal with her problems at home. | |||
| 7 | |||
| 8 | |||
| 9 | |||
| 10 | |||
“Braxton Family Values” premiered along side new series Sinbad: It's Just Family averaging a 0.6 in the 18-49 demo.[5] Toni Braxton later tweeted that the show had the #1 reality show ratings in weTV's history.[6]
On May 10, 2011, after only four episodes having been aired, the show was renewed for a 19-episode second season.[7] There will be 19 more one-hour episodes of “Braxton Family Values” on the WE channel starting on November 10, 2011. “We all hoped people could relate to our family dynamic and are thrilled with the positive response we have received," Braxton, who lives in Duluth, said in a statement. "We are all very much looking forward to bringing you another eventful season." It has recently been announced the second season will have 19 episodes.[8]
The success of the series has led to a spin-off, Tamar & Vince, which will focus on the hectic lives of Tamar Braxton and her husband, who she wed in 2008.
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