The Braxton family is made up of a group of musically-gifted sisters who got their Hollywood start at young ages. Toni, Towanda, Trina, Tamar, and Traci Braxton stole the hearts of many with their soulful, smooth vocals. Their heart for music helped them gain a large following that would later aid in boosting their adult careers.
The girls get much of their musical talent from their mother, Evelyn, who is also a talented singer. Together they started Braxton Family Values, a hit television show that lasted for seven seasons. The series was eventually canceled after a number of unfortunate events severed the network’s relationship with the family. In 2019, beloved Braxton niece Lauren Braxton passed away due to health complications. The youngest sister Tamar Braxton attempted suicide soon after, leading to her departure from the show.
Two years later, the sisters would report that their fun-loving sister Traci Braxton succumbed to her battle with esophageal cancer. The news devastated fans who took to social media to offer condolences to the family.
And since the news broke, there has been an unfortunate amount of gossip surrounding her death. From whispers that her husband may be exploiting her death for personal gain to speculation over why the family didn’t arrange her funeral, these rumors have overshadowed the legacy that Traci leaves behind.
Aside from being a wife and mother, the talented artist wore many other hats while she was alive. She touched the lives of many people all over the world and the outpouring of love she received after death is a testament to that. Here are five things about Traci Braxton that celebrate her life.
1. She loved hummingbirds
Following Traci Braxton’s death, Tamar revealed that she and her sisters would carry Traci’s legacy in a unique way. Hummingbirds held a special place in Traci’s heart so they each keep a hummingbird locket to carry her ashes with them everywhere they go.
Hummingbirds are considered symbols of light in many cultures so it’s no wonder why Traci felt a personal affinity for them. She had a tattoo of five hummingbirds that represented each of the five sisters.
In an interview with Dish Nation, Tamar Braxton noted her sister’s love for hummingbirds. “She wanted to be a hummingbird and she looked at us as hummingbirds” she says before holding her locket up to the camera, “So, here’s to my forever angel hummingbird.”
2. She was a proud Bowie State University alumna
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Traci graduated from Bowie State University in Maryland in 1998. During her attendance, she joined Zeta Phi Beta, part of the Omicron Gamma Chapter. Zeta Phi Beta is a historically Black sorority whose members value Black excellence and helping other Black people to achieve their own version of what it means to them. As an member of the sorority, Traci Braxton often took to social media to post her support for her sorority sisters.
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The multi-talented artist was an active alum at her former school. She made a guest appearance at the school to speak to students about sex and relationships. During the open forum, she answered questions and offered advice to students while getting candid about her own personal experiences.
3. She produced her own movie
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The Braxton family has never been shy about the big role that their faith has played in their lives. Having grown up in a religious household, that faith stayed with them into their adult years. Traci Braxton is no exception. In 2018, she produced a film called Sinners Wanted about a young pastor’s fight with his congregation to help a shunned prostitute. She also stars as Nana, the pastor’s grandmother who helped raised him since he was a child.
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To Traci, acting as her character came naturally. In her interview with Sheen Magazine, she admits “Nana loves her grandson and I love my grandson too, that’s my baby!”
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And when asked about the theme of forgiveness in the film, she answers in true Traci Braxton style, “It truly resonates with me. I forgive people all the time. You know I forgive but I never forget. I just believe it’s important to forgive others.”
4. She was a rising actress
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Although she’s most famous for her beautiful singing voice, Traci Braxton is an impressive actress with a notable list of acting credits. She’s appeared in many films including Chaaw, The Christmas Lottery, and Sinners Wanted. She also starred in the stageplay There’s a Stranger in my House alongside actress Jessika Doby and The Wire‘s Tray Chaney. Additionally, she made a cameo appearance in Toni’s music video for her single “Make My Heart“.
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In her Tamron Hall interview, Toni Braxton shared how Traci would often give her advice and offer suggestions related to Toni’s upcoming Lifetime movie. To celebrate her life, Toni announced that she and the Lifetime team would dedicate the movie to Traci to keep her legacy alive.
5. Her music ranked on Billboard
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Even though Traci Braxton began her career in the music industry alongside her sisters, she found her path as a solo artist soon after the group split. When Atlantic Records banned Traci from moving forward with the group due to her pregnancy, she didn’t let the disappointment stop her.
After her pregnancy, Traci joined independent media conglomerate Entertainment One under eOne Music and Soul World Entertainment. One year later she released her solo debut album, “Crash & Burn”. Its leading single “Last Call” earned 4,000 sales its first week, ranking at number 108 on the Billboard Hot 200. Her album also claimed the number 11 spot on the relaunched Billboard R&B Albums chart.
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She would later go on to release her second album in 2018 to the excitement of her fans. She planned to release her third album before her untimely passing.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, help is available 24/7/365 from the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Call 800-273-8255.
