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Last October, Toni Braxton turned 50. She doesn’t look anywhere near that number, so it’s still a shock for many that the Grammy winner has hit the milestone age. And to be honest, it’s something that Braxton is still trying to get adjusted to.
In an in interview with the publication NewNowNext, she talked about how her music has increased in raciness with her age. For example, her new album, Sex & Cigarettes, is her first with a parental advisory sticker due to the expletives. When asked why her sound had taken a more risqué turn, the star said, “Because I’m a grown-a– woman.”
“I’m 50 years old, and sometimes you have to say the f-word, because there’s really no substitute for it,” she added. “But there aren’t really many bad words anymore. Growing up, I couldn’t even say ‘shoot,’ and now ‘b—‘ is a term of endearment. ‘Ooh, b—h, you is wearing them shoes!'”
And when asked how she was liked being the big 5-0, Braxton said one of the biggest changes has been reminding herself that she’s not the same age she was when she was going for her signature revealing looks. She still loves those fun and frisky outfits, but she now second-guesses wearing certain ones for fear that it may come off improper at this stage in her life.
“It’s good! I don’t really feel 50,” she said. “Age doesn’t define me—like that 80-year-old female bodybuilder. But I have Lupus, of course, so whenever I can’t get out of bed, I’m like, ‘Is this Lupus or because I’m 50?’ Sometimes I have to remind myself that I’m 50, especially when it comes to fashion. Not that I can’t still pull off that midriff, but maybe it’s not as appropriate as when I was 20.”
But a demure Toni Braxton? We can’t see it. She wouldn’t be her fabulous self if she didn’t wear a gown with cut-outs, low-cut tops and show off some leg. Or make that a whole lot of leg.
However, when it comes to her wedding dress for her upcoming nuptials with rapper and music mogul Birdman, Braxton will indeed go back the sexy route.
“The cake is important… and the dress,” she told Brides in March. “I’m particular about the dress.… I have to find something that’s appropriate but sexy at the same time.”
