'Did I dream it?' Toni Braxton opens up about the surreal death of sister Traci
Toni Braxton and the late Traci Braxton who died of esophageal cancer in March 2022 (Credit: Getty Images)
By EEW Magazine Online // Death
Singer Toni Braxton is grappling to come to terms with the reality of the passing of her sister, Traci Braxton, but is doing her best to keep a positive perspective amid the pain and devastation.
During an appearance on Tamron Hall Tuesday, the “Unbreak My Heart” singer, 54, spoke publicly about the heartbreaking loss for the first time since her sibling died of esophageal cancer at age 50.
"I wake up every morning and I go, 'Did I dream it? Did I dream it?' And I have to remind myself, 'No, she's gone, but she's been here with us for 50 years,'" Toni said. "So, I try to relish in that moment and try to smile about it.”
The world was introduced to Traci in 2011 through the family’s popular WE tv reality show, Braxton Family Values, which aired for seven seasons. Though the Braxton’s didn’t always get along or see eye to eye, when it was all said and done, their close bond remained unbreakable.
(Left to right: Traci, Tamar, Toni, Mom Evelyn, Trina, Towanda) Credit: Getty Images
"We're sisters, we're always gonna fight. That's what sisters do, okay, it's a rite of passage to fuss and fight, but in the end, we're always there,” said the seven-time Grammy-winning singer. "We're just very fortunate to have had my sister with us for as long as we did."
Traci, the third oldest of the six Braxton siblings, was known for her love of motorcycles. She grew up singing in the church with her sisters Toni, Towanda, Trina, Tamar, and brother Michael. The sisters later formed a singing group, The Braxtons, and released their first single "Good Life" in 1990.
During Toni’s virtual sit-down, she gave viewers an emotional glance inside Traci’s private last moments spent surrounded by loved ones.
Traci Braxton (second from left) appeared frail at the wedding of her son, Kevin Surratt Jr., in July 2021, less than 8 months before her death from cancer. (Credit: Instagram/Kevin Jr.)
"We were all there. Her son was there, husband was there, everyone was there. Her best friends were there," said Toni of the day her sister transitioned. "She had so much love. The hospice nurses were incredible. You never think that it's going to happen to you and your family. So, you have to remind yourself to enjoy the moments. Be happy."
Despite the sorrow and it admittedly not being Toni’s “best day”—though she said she was “okay today”—she was still excited about celebrating Traci’s upcoming birthday weekend during which she and her sisters are going to have "Traci day.”
April 2 would have been Traci’s 51st birthday.
Tributes have poured in from fans of Traci all around the world as they mourn with the family. The late star’s husband, Kevin Surratt, who confirmed the news of Traci’s passing on March 12, said she “has gone on to glory.”
Though her journey on earth has concluded, Traci leaves behind her own musical legacy. In 2014, she released her debut album, Crash & Burn.
