#SPOTTED: TONI BRAXTON IN TORONTO FOR “FALLEN ANGELS BOOK CLUB”

I’ve met many idols over the years but this hands-down, is a major highlight for me. To say I was obsessed with Toni Braxton growing-up, is totally under-selling my love for her. The seven-time Grammy-winning R&B Queen undisputedly is a legend, selling over 70 million albums worldwide. She still is delivering the goods and her 2020 effort SPELL MY NAME was just wonderful!

The Songstress is in-town filming an Adaptation of R. Franklin James’ FALLEN ANGELS BOOK CLUB, in which she stars and produces. She plays the lead role of Hollis Morgan, a former criminal turned sleuth, who sets-out to investigate a string of murders in her Book Club. The Film, which potentially could be a Series, is filming currently in Barrie and will air sometime next year on Lifetime.

Braxton is a fighter and a survivor, parlaying her household recognition into TV success in the Reality sphere and more recently, TV Movies which is her reason being in Toronto after a bit of an absence from these parts.

Her self-titled debut LP, Secrets and The Heat defined an entire decade for me. The command of her Alto and the conviction in which she vocalizes a story in her songs, has the ability to empower or move one to tears. She digs that extra layer deeper, and finds moments in each song that make them unmistakably her. I am not exaggerating when I say Toni Braxton has a very special gift which few Vocalists possess and she truly is a favourite of mine. For me, it is Whitney, Mariah and Toni. I love all three equally and put them all on a pedestal.

Braxton arrived with lots of luggage in tow, covering-up in chunky sunglasses, in a Chanel mask and carrying a Chanel bag. Her very public battle with Lupus is well-documented, and she has taken every precaution to protect herself amidst the Pandemic. More recently, she was seen on The Masked Singer as the Pufferfish and it is said her wearing a mask beneath her costume further hindered her ability to deliver, resulting in a premature elimination. No one can deny her level of skill as a Singer and the backlash is maybe a bit warranted.

Well aware of her health being a concern, we kept a safe distance and suggested a distanced Selfie which she accommodated expressively. We were overjoyed to meet her finally after many years of admiration/adoration. While you might have your doubts, we know that is Toni Braxton in the Photo and that’s all that matters and we will never forget this moment!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)