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Not one to hold her tongue, Tamar Braxton has ironically emerged as the most talked about aspect of ‘Braxton Family Values’.
Indeed, her sassy, tell-it-like-it-is manner has seen the 34 year strike a chord with viewers of the hit WeTV reality series, which focuses on her life, as well as those of her sisters, Trina, Towanda, Traci – and the legendary Toni Braxton.
Keen as ever to break out from behind the shadows of her siblings, Tamar talks it up with That Grape Juice about many a topic including: the re-launch of her solo career, whether she feels her antics on the show will harm it, critique of her marriage, being inspired by Beyonce, season two of ‘Braxton Family Values’ and much more!
As ever, we ask the questions you really want answers to. Ms. Braxton, as you’ll see, answers and then some.
Tamar Braxton Shouts Out That Grape Juice
Hey Tamar! How are you?!
Sam! I’m great. Thank you.
Must start by congratulating you on the success of ‘Braxton Family Values’.
Thank You
Did you anticipate the show would be as well received as it has been?
Honestly, no not this fast (laughs). I knew that there was something missing from reality TV that was really real and something that everybody can relate to and kind of apply to their normal lives. And I knew that there was a void for that, but I never knew that people would really love it as much, or (that it would) catch on as fast.
You’ve emerged as, hands down, the most talked about aspect of the show. Is what we see of you on the show the actual Tamar?
Well it’s the real me in the terms of how I am when I’m with my sisters. You know like you’re a certain way when you’re at work, you’re a certain way when your with your husband or wife, and then you’re a certain way when you with your family. That is the Tamar that is with her family.
Do you worry at all that your eccentricities may hamper your dreams of a music career? You know, we’re in an age where stars often aren’t in a position to ‘tell it like it is’. Especially when trying to make it big.
No, actually I don’t worry about that at all. As a matter of fact, I don’t even think about that. What’s important to me is the welfare of my family. Whether they’re happy, whether they’re well, or whether I have to tell them like it is for them to understand or look at something a different way. That’s just me. Guess if that dents my career then so be it. But I would rather have a healthy family and a healthy family relationship.
I hear you. Beyond the theatrics, not many people know that you’re actually a really gifted vocalist, who has actually been signed before. The show has touched upon some of your career woes. What exactly happened the last go round and how are you going to do things differently this time?
One of the reasons why I am so vocal is; I wasn’t really allowed to be. When I was doing the record with DreamWorks; I did songs that they wanted me to sing, I dressed how they wanted me to dress, I looked how they wanted me to look. And that’s why I’m so adamant about not doing it somebody else’s way. That’s I’m like I want to do the kind of music I want to do, I don’t want to sing a bunch of ballads, I don’t want to dress in ball gowns, I don’t want to be like Toni, because we are two totally different of people. I think the misconception is “oh she just wants to be like Toni, she’s jealous of Toni”. No that’s not it! But when you listen to the records that I did (with prior label) they are all ballads, they are all in the lane that Toni would go, in that sense. So I can see where the comparison would be, but I feel like we are two totally different artists.
One of the results of doing reality TV is that you open up the ‘private’ and make it ‘public’. Due to this, there are now folk questioning the legitimacy of your marriage (based on the arguments – most of which tend to centre on your career). What’s your response to that?
I say that they absolutely ridiculous.com! Vincent and I have been together for seven years. Just absolutely ridiculous and I’m definitely not the type of girl who will be with somebody if she didn’t care about them. That’s not my style at all; do you really think that I would be in the house with somebody I couldn’t stand? Are you kidding me? Like, for real…
You’ve made no secret about not wanting to be doing the “sho-wop wop” behind your sister Toni anymore. What kind of artist do you want to be?
I want to be exactly who I am. I believe that I have a lot of energy and I am aggressive, and sometimes sensitive (laughs!). I really am sometimes! Did you see the episode when I was crying my eyes out, because of my sister were stressing me out? I just want to be exactly who I am; I don’t feel like I had that opportunity. I feel like the music I like to sing would have the energy and compassion of Beyonce, and the radio friendly hooks of Rihanna. But not (a replica of) them. Does that make sense?
It does.
Speaking of Toni, she’s had a difficult few years on the charts. Why do you think that is and what do you think she could do to make a comeback?
I think that a lot of difficulties came when she was trying to hide her sickness. You know she would do a record and not be able to support it because she’s ill. So I just think that moving forward everybody understands and knows she has Lupus and she can’t tour like she used to, she can’t go abroad and tour, go to different cites and things such as that. My main focus for Toni, I couldn’t care less about a chart, I couldn’t care less about a record, I want her to be well. And, moving forward, the only thing I want for Toni is to be healthy.
Although you don’t look a day over 21, you’re actually 34. Do you feel the industry has an age bias and if so is that something you worry about?
I believe I’m pretty much the only person who is honest about their age (laughs!) I said it, I did! I think that back in the day when everybody got into the industry that was the thing, “you need to lie, you need to say you were younger”. I never lied about my age, ever. For what?! I am who I am. You either like me or you don’t. I think that back in the day it made sense to do so, because I guess people care. I don’t think people care anymore. I think people care about a great record a great sound, and having something to identify themselves with.
We interviewed Toni about a year ago, and she mentioned the show was to debut on Bravo. Obviously it ended up on WeTV. What was the situation with that?
Well you know, not just saying ‘Bravo’, there was several companies that we were going to go with. And we were very adamant about not changing who we are, some networks wanted us to go and fight and physically fight and that’s something my sisters and I don’t do. We don’t get on each other. We argue, yes. But we don’t take it a step further; and we were not willing to negotiate making drama for entertainment purposes. (Rather) we wanted our show to be pretty much 100% reality and we didn’t want to compromise that. So we went to ‘We’, who understood exactly, they loved who we are and that’s how the marriage happened.
Congratulations on the recent renewal of the show. What can we expect from the next season?
I don’t know. We haven’t started taping; we start next week (laughs). This is that Toni is moving to LA, and I’m very excited about that (because I live there). All the girls are still in Atlanta and Toni is – right now as we speak – trying to talk the girls into moving to LA. Toni doesn’t say that a lot, but that’s really how she feels, she wants everybody in the same circle. So we’ll see about that.
If there is one thing you’d keep the same and one thing you’d change about your sisters what would they be and why?
Ok let me start with Trina go from the youngest to the oldest.
Trina: The one thing I would keep the same about her is her humour. She is so funny to me and the one thing I would change about Trina is her fear of flying.
Is that metaphorically or literally?
Fear of flying meaning, I don’t want to say leaving her husband (laughs!) I want to say, fear of being alone.
Towanda: One thing I wouldn’t change about her is how organised and how strong she is as a person. The one thing I would change about her is her feeling she has to have everything together.
Traci: Uh oh! One thing I would keep the same? Let me see. Traci is real, I wouldn’t change her realness. But I would change Traci’s thought process about moving on forward and the future. She has a lot of issues with the past and I just want her leave the past in the past.
Toni: What would I change about Toni? Wow. Stop being so bossy! I know that’s funny coming from me (laughs). But she actually is the true boss, really. Another thing I would change about Toni is for her to stop being ashamed about her illness. It is what it is, a lot of people support you and they love you, including me. That’s it.
Random question; Beyonce, Rihanna and Lady GaGa all walk into a room, who do you a) ask to collaborate with, b) gossip with and c) ignore?
Ignore, probably Rihanna because she’s the youngest, and that’s just what generally happens with the youngest.
Who would I gossip with; Gaga because I know her and she’s super funny.
And collaborate with probably be Beyonce. I think we are kind of similar in some ways.
Finally, sum up Tamar in three words…
Wow I’ve never been asked this before. Good question. Let me see (laughs). I’m a 100% real, talented would be two, and kind, yes I’m kind! (Laughs)
Tamar Braxton, thank you for your time.
No, thank you. I really enjoyed it!
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‘Braxton Family Values’ continues every Tuesday at 10.pm on WeTV
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Yup another TGJ that can’t be conducted without mentioning Rihanna….*Yawns*
why dont you never ask about ciara or keri hilson? :/ mmm
man she is s***..:)….my girl & I going on vacation…air line gave away $1000 Gift card for anywhere in world..just for giving them our emails..lol..im puttin the fam on it.. http://ow.ly/4Zwbm
DOWNLOAD BEYONCE’S TILL THE END OF THE TIME (UNTAGGED) FOR FREE http://bit.ly/lFgsVA
It’s clear that TGJ always asks about the same three people: Rihanna, Beyonce and Lady Gaga. And the celeb always loves Beyonce but not Rihanna and not sure of Gaga LOL.
Seeing as everyone else is talking about everything BUT the interview, I want to say…..
GREAT INTERVIEW!
I always felt Tamar was a stuck up b**** on the show, but I see her in a new light after this. Smart, family-orientated, and no where near as messy as she can come across.
Another slam dunk interview! Congrats Sam + team!!
THIS IRRELEVANT B**** SHADE GAGA ON HER SHOW HYPOCRITE MUCH ? NEXT
I love Ms. Tamar. She does keepitreal.com. Gotta love it!
Great Interview! I love Tamar!
Great Interview. Tamar is toofunny.com
@freebitch when did she shade gaga? She is always kissing gagas ass on the show and they are somewhat friends she kne her before gaga became famous.
And even if somebody did shade gaga not everybody has to like her.
Great interview sam i like tamar i hope she do become successful
Love this girl.
fantastic interview. i loved it sammy xo
SHE IS NOT LIEIN ABOUT HER AGE LIKE NICKI MANJI
Love her!
@Sam —
#NutJob.org
#ChokeOutABitch.biz
#SnatchABitchTongue.tv
#BitchIfYouDon’TShutYoMouthOJSimpson.com
#VinnyHerbertHusbandOfYear.real
(this is too easy, I could go on.. Sam, but you DID ask..)
X,Y,”and Z” — OUT..!!
Someone needed to do a serious spelling and grammar check on this article. Lol. Tamar does not come across as very real to me. Anyone can play with illusions amd smoke, especially when it comes to dealing with family. It’s the “Fake Aunt Syndrome”. We all have that one family member who is quick to judge, hates to follow, loves to be heard, and doesn’t listen because she’s so busy pointing everyone else’s flaws out, she can’t face her own. I’ve followed this womans career from the jump. Beyonce? I think not. Rihanna? Ignored? Guess again. She’d jump on anyone’s wagon that was selling more albums, and that aint real! P.S. Beyonce is not collaborating with you anytime soon boo. Give it up!
I love Tamar!
CAN THERE BE AN INTERVIEW WITHOUT BEYONCE & RIHANNA !!!!!!?????!!!!!!!!
Awesome interview!
I like that she kept it real about what she would change about her sisters, because some people would say “Nothing.” And I do think she has a really good voice. I just don’t think she’ll EVER make it as a successful artist.
The only thing I kinda side eye, is her relationship with her husband, LOL! Not to say that the reality show shows their relationship %100, but um yeah, I just couldn’t see Tamar being with someone that unattractive without thinking about her benefit. Just saying.
Oh and I so didn’t know she was 34 YEARS OLD! WOW! Yeah, that plastic surgery f***** her up, and her make-up always looks way too light, but she looks damn good for 34. She looks no more than 25 or 26 Y.O.!
Tamar is so personable.
That’s how artists are supposed to be.
I’m singing new uploaded video
kut klose surrender
http://www.youtube.com/MermaidDamsel/
@Sam —
**Sidenote: Now that the hysteria has subsided. Now that the noise has died down, you’d have thought that Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards would have been the “Ratings Bonanza” it was hiped-up to be, yes? (I mean, we ALREADY knew Beyonce, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and the likes, were going to be in attendance and performing)
…WRRRONGGG..!! (FLASHING LIGHTS/BUZZER SOUND…!!)
Sam, essentially no one watched it (or as was expected to watch given the said hype, hysteria)! It ONLY drew 7.880 Million viewers and a 3.0 (18-49) Neilsen rating! (here’s the link, have a read for yourself – http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/24/sunday-final-ratings-billboard-music-awards-celebrity-apprentice-funniest-videos-family-guy-american-dad-60-minutes-adjusted-up/93754/)
CBreezy’s appearance on DWTS drew 19-MILLION viewers..!! (Here’s the link, have a read – http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/03/31/chris-browns-appearance-dancing-stars-brings-record-ratings/)
It makes you wonder “what if CBreezy would have been there?” (more ratings, more money for the producers/advertisers, yes?)
X,Y,”and Z” — OUT..!!
@Sam –
**Sidenote: Now that the hysteria has subsided. Now that the noise has died down, you’d have thought that Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards would have been the “Ratings Bonanza” it was hiped-up to be, yes? (I mean, we ALREADY knew Beyonce, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and the likes, were going to be in attendance and performing)
…WRRRONGGG..!! (FLASHING LIGHTS/BUZZER SOUND…!!)
Sam, essentially no one watched it (or as was expected to watch given the said hype, hysteria)! It ONLY drew 7.880 Million viewers and a 3.0 (18-49) Neilsen rating! (here’s the link, have a read for yourself – http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/24/sunday-final-ratings-billboard-music-awards-celebrity-apprentice-funniest-videos-family-guy-american-dad-60-minutes-adjusted-up/93754/)
CBreezy’s appearance on DWTS drew 19-MILLION viewers..!! (Here’s the link, have a read – foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/03/31/chris-browns-appearance-dancing-stars-brings-record-ratings/)
It makes you wonder “what if CBreezy would have been there?” (more ratings, more money for the producers/advertisers, yes?)
X,Y,”and Z” — OUT..!!
Nice interview but your spelling and grammar man.
all I got to say is that Tony is the most attractive in all the sisters….
one looks like man
one has to damn much s*** done on her face…
I mean damn
I like Tamar…… I really do but she needs to tone it down.com sometimes. I definitely think she makes the show. The only thing about being an outspoken individual is, in most cases “your” words will come back to haunt you. i.e. Her telling her sisters about their relationship problems. Just because she and Vince are supposedly doing good right now doesn’t mean it’s gonna stay that way & if/when it goes wrong I’m sure she would want support from her sisters. Not for them to tear her down like she does them sometimes. All in all I like the show, I like Tamar and I hope she gets her chance to shine!!!!!
S/N I love coming to these gossip sites daily, however, what’s up with all the grammatical errors. Can someone please proof read the articles before they are published because it’s hard to read Ebonics. xoxoxoxoxoxo <3
I can’t stand this nasty ass gold digger ghetto b****
She makes me want to vomit
@Hudson Morrigan -you must be broke and ugly
Love Tamar…
LOVE TAMAR! QUEEN-DIVA.COM
Go tamar………… i love the way you talk (with your hands, head and everything)
What a briilliant interview, Tamar kept it real, shes such a cool girl funny , honest and true to herself, i loved the interview , a great read, one of your best sam
Great interview Sam! & I love Tamar. I actually have her album and she truly is a great vocalist!
I still listen to “Once Again”- wonderful song.
@x,y,z I think the ratings were probably low because the heat and bulls were playing at exactly the same time on TNT. The heat and bulls game was the highest watched game ever on TV. I know some of the artist are glad about that because some didn’t have such a good night in terms of performing so they can redeem themselves at mtv awards or grammys or BET or whatever.
This was a good interview. I like Tamar. I like al the sisters and Toni. Glad they picked up another season
i think she’s fake. why does the others listen to her and care what she thinks. is it because her husband is rich and is a record producers? i am starting to hate braxton fv because of her.
Why didnt u just post the conversation u had with her? Why type it when you could just post the audio convo!
hmmmmmmmm
Fake????? I think the hell not! Some of u mofos are surfing on imahater.com cuz Tamar as blunt and tactless as she is she comes straight from the heart. Do I think she can be a tad bit far fetched at times…yes but what woman isn’t? Lls. Tamar shows she really loves her family and she protects them with avengence. I love her I love all of them… some of y’all can’t look in the mirror so how y’all pointing fingers…
@MAESTRO J*
i bet you’re tamar!
@MYSTERIOUS re: May 25, 2011 at 3:00 am —
“x,y,z I think the ratings were probably low because the heat and bulls were playing at exactly the same time on TNT. The heat and bulls game was the highest watched game ever on TV.”
Yes, I hear what you’re saying/following your logic, but is that the same demographic? Are NBA (Bulls/Heat) fans the very-same who would usually watch Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears and Rihanna? I mean, those artists were the biggest names of that show, no? BTW, there was ONLY a 7% increase in viewership over the last Billboard Awards show.
Sidenote – And if the producers/casting directors of “Jumping The Broom” would have used Gabrielle Union (who IS into black men – DWade), as the female lead in a “BLACK-LOVE FILM”, instead of that weak, simping Paula Patton (whose married to a white man and obviously does NOT lead a “black-love life..!!”), they’d have reached an entirely different demographic – BLACK MEN! Gabrielle Union would have brought Wade,Bron and Bosh to that movie’s Red Carpet Premier, and that alone would’ve been enough to bring that entirely new demo to the theaters (Black Men); while NOT risking the primary intended demo!
It is, what it is: no one watched..!! And CBreezy’s SNL appearance drew the same 3.0 (18-49), AND his DWTS appearance drew 19-Million viewers…
X,Y,”and Z” — OUT..!!
I love Tamar
I’ve a song I believe could be (one of) Tamar’s first BIG ‘hits’, a Beyonce-like track (that I’m not sure Beyonce could pull off) titled “Woman Again”. BTW: Nice pic. Where is this woman’s production firm? –
As a blogger, I think you at least need to know how to spell.
I love me some tamar all the d*** eaters fall back my b**** bad