Tamar Braxton married husband Vincent Herbert in 2008 after dating for five years (since 2003). Like most celebrity couples, the R&B singer and reality TV star kept her "Braxton" last name in order to keep her professional identity, but she recently changed it after having her first child.
"The other night we were at dinner right. The waiter was like Mrs. Herbert. And I’m like (Tamar looks around confused)… OK? Because I’ve been Tamar Braxton all of my life. So it was kind of weird. I just kind of changed my last name," Braxton admits on The Real.
She adds for the change: "…That’s why I changed my name on my license. So me and Logan and Vincent can have the same last name."
What does this mean? Tamar Braxton will continue will be her moniker while Tamar Herbert will be on all the paperwork.
If you’re a fan of Tamar Braxton, you know that she’s no stranger to controversy and drama. But beneath all the chaos, there’s a woman who has been on a journey to reclaim her identity and define herself on her own terms.
One of the ways she’s done this is by changing her last name. In an interview with Essence, Tamar opened up about why she decided to drop ‘Braxton’ from her name and go by just ‘Tamar.’ She explained that it was important for her to have her own identity separate from being known as part of the famous Braxton family.
This decision wasn’t easy, as it meant breaking away from tradition and potentially upsetting some family members. But ultimately, Tamar knew that it was necessary for her growth and personal fulfillment.
Tamar Braxton’s Journey to Reclaiming Her Identity
You might think that changing your last name is a simple task, but for Tamar Braxton, it was a journey of reclaiming her identity and breaking free from the expectations of others.
Growing up in a family where music was everything, Tamar always felt like she lived under the shadow of her famous sisters and had to meet the standards set by her parents. She even started using her middle initial as part of her name because she wanted to differentiate herself from her older sister, Toni Braxton.
However, after years of struggling with self-doubt and anxiety, Tamar realized that she needed to take control over her own life and make decisions based on what made HER happy.
Changing her last name from Braxton-Herbert (her ex-husband’s surname) to just Braxton was one way for her to assert her independence and start fresh. She said in an interview: “I just wanted my own identity back. I’m still proud to be a Braxton, but I also want people to know me as Tamar.”
The process wasn’t easy though. Tamar had to go through court hearings and paperwork before officially dropping Herbert from her legal name. But the emotional impact was more profound than any bureaucratic hurdle – it represented a symbolic step towards self-acceptance and empowerment.
By taking ownership of who she is and what she wants out of life, Tamar proved that sometimes small changes can have big effects on our sense of self-worth and confidence.
The Importance of Defining Yourself on Your Own Terms
Defining who you are on your own terms is crucial for personal growth and fulfillment. It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to fit into a certain mold or meet certain expectations set by others, but that can lead to feeling unfulfilled and disconnected from yourself.
Taking the time to truly figure out what makes you unique and embracing those qualities can bring a sense of purpose and contentment. When you define yourself on your own terms, you take control of your narrative. You’re not allowing others to label or limit you based on their perceptions or biases.
Instead, you’re creating a clear picture of who you are and what matters most to you. This allows for more authentic connections with others because they’re getting to know the real, unfiltered version of yourself.
It’s important to remember that defining yourself on your own terms is an ongoing process. As we grow and evolve, our priorities and values may shift, so it’s important to check in with ourselves regularly and make adjustments as needed.
By staying true to ourselves and continuously refining our self-concept, we can lead more fulfilling lives and make meaningful contributions in the world around us.
Conclusion
So, what have we learned from Tamar Braxton’s journey to reclaiming her identity?
First and foremost, it’s crucial to define yourself on your own terms. Don’t let anyone else dictate who you should be or how you should present yourself to the world. It’s important to take ownership of your life and create a path that feels true to you.
Secondly, changing your name or other aspects of your identity can be a powerful way to assert yourself and take control of your narrative. Whether it’s for personal or professional reasons, don’t be afraid to make changes that align with who you are at your core.
Remember: You deserve to live authentically and embrace all facets of yourself without fear or judgment.
Founder and Creator of Singersroom.com and IncredibleWork.com. Follow me on Instagram at @gary.gentles.
