Toni Braxton was not quite suicidal, but she was "depressed" and "in a hopeless" place earlier this year.
Opening up in a revealing Uptown magazine cover story, Braxton said kids and family kept her going.
"I was in a small place in my life and I was going to retire. It’s not even a question. I said, ‘I’m tired of fighting.’ I was feeling sorry for myself. I was depressed over where my career was going. I was also down with my health," Braxton told Uptown. "I found out that I developed blood clots and I couldn’t get a grip on this lupus. I didn’t know what was going on with me. I was just in a very uncomfortable place in my life and where I wouldn’t wish my worst enemy to be. [I was] not suicidal, but it was a close relative. I’ve got my kids to live for, but I was in a hopeless stage in my life."
Encouraged by music industry friends like Michael McDonald, Missy Elliott and Fantasia, Toni ("Braxton Family Values") says she began to see things differently.
"It’s like when you’re going through things and you think you’re the only one. They told me, ‘We’ve all felt that, and we’ve been there but it’s not time.’ It helped me a bit. But Babyface was the most influential of all those people in getting me back to it," she added.
Now promoting the forthcoming album "Love Marriage and Divorce," Braxton says there were big adjustments when working with Babyface. There were also adjustments she had to make to her own line of thinking, including chasing trends, hits and sales.
“But, now, I’m an artist like he is: established. I have my own opinions. I know how I want my music to be, so I had to remind him: ‘Kenny, I’m your baby sister, but I have breasts and I have boyfriends. You have to accept that I’m grown up now.’ That was the one big adjustment for him. It was nothing negative, nothing negative at all," Braxton told Uptown of reuniting with Babyface for "Love Marriage and Divorce." ""He told me, ‘Toni, you have to stop thinking about selling records. Don’t look at it that way, just have fun.’”
According to Babyface, who is also featured in the cover story, Toni had to focus on making good music, not chasing trends or hits.
"Ultimately my position was to just make it feel good… We weren’t about chasing the trends of whatever is happening now," said Babyface.
Visit Uptown Magazine for the full cover story featuring Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and Toni Braxton.
You may know Toni Braxton as the sultry-voiced singer of hits like ‘Un-Break My Heart’and ‘Breathe Again,’but her journey to success hasn’t been without its struggles.
In a recent cover story for Uptown magazine, Braxton opened up about her battle with depression and the pressure she feels to keep up with music industry trends.
Despite selling millions of records and winning multiple Grammy Awards over the course of her career, Braxton revealed that she has struggled with depression for years.
She spoke candidly about how difficult it can be to maintain a positive outlook in an industry that often values youth and novelty over experience and authenticity.
However, through therapy and self-reflection, she has been able to come out on the other side stronger than ever before.
Overcoming Personal Struggles in the Music Industry
If you’re gonna make it in the music industry, you gotta keep pushing through your personal struggles. Toni Braxton knows this all too well.
In her cover story for Uptown magazine, she talks about how depression has impacted her life and career. She shares that in the past, she would often isolate herself and not want to be around people, but now she’s learned to manage it with therapy and medication.
Braxton also discusses how chasing trends can be a dangerous game in the music industry. She admits that she fell into that trap early on in her career and regrets some of the decisions she made because of it. However, she’s learned from those mistakes and now focuses on staying true to herself and her sound.
‘I’m not trying to chase what someone else is doing,’ Braxton says. ‘I just want to create great music that speaks to my heart.’
Through all of her struggles, both personal and professional, Braxton has remained resilient. She’s still making music today and continues to inspire others with her journey.
If you’re an aspiring musician or just someone going through a tough time, take a page out of Toni Braxton’s book and keep pushing forward no matter what obstacles come your way.
Coping with Depression and Pressure to Keep Up with Trends
Navigating the constant pressure to stay on top of trends while also managing depression can be an overwhelming experience. Toni Braxton knows this all too well, as she’s openly talked about her struggles with mental health and the music industry’s demands.
In her Uptown cover story, Braxton reveals that she copes with depression by staying busy and focusing on self-care. Braxton acknowledges that chasing trends in the music industry can add to the stress and anxiety of trying to stay relevant.
She admits to feeling pressure to keep up with younger artists who are dominating the charts. However, instead of giving in to these pressures, Braxton has learned how to trust her own instincts and follow her heart when it comes to making music.
One way Braxton copes with the pressures of fame is by taking time for herself and engaging in activities that bring her joy. She enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
By prioritizing self-care and finding ways to cope with stress, Braxton shows us that it’s possible to navigate the challenges of mental health while still thriving in a demanding industry like music.
Conclusion
So there you have it. Toni Braxton, the iconic singer, bares her soul in the latest issue of Uptown magazine. She talks about her personal struggles and how she overcame them to become the legend that she is today.
From coping with depression to chasing trends in the music industry, Toni has been through a lot. But through it all, she has remained strong and true to herself.
She advises aspiring artists not to get too caught up in trying to keep up with what’s popular or trendy but instead focus on their own unique talents and staying true to themselves. A powerful message from one of music’s greatest icons.
