The Braxtons (2024) s01e06 Episode Script
It Takes A Village
1
♪♪
It's just a month
until the premiere
of my new residency
in Las Vegas
with Cedric the Entertainer.
There are millions of things
to think about all at once.
Man:
Good job! Work!
Why do you wait until
you're in a state of emergency
to call on your family?
As a man, I'm trying to
figure things out myself.
He's fighting for his wife.
He's fighting for his marriage.
Traci's birthday is coming up.
We should have a birthday party.
Today is about Traci.
Towanda: Surprise!
[Screams]
[Laughter]
I don't want to feel sad.
I don't want to feel memories.
I don't wanna feel nothing.
Traci and I did have
a lot of disagreements,
if I'm honest about it,
but we still very much loved
each other.
I got to know
a different side of Traci
than to how our relationship
was on television.
It was very adult.
It was very sister-like.
As amazing as "The Braxtons"
was for everyone,
for me, that wasn't my story.
And I deserve, you know,
to be proud of myself.
Yeah.At the end of the day,
I can't be happy about my life
if I'm not proud of myself.
♪♪
♪♪
Miss E: Hey.Hey, Mommy.
How are you?
Mwah!
I haven't seen you in forever.Mwah!
It feels like it.You smell good.
Well, yeah.You smell great.
Thank you, girl.
What's new?
Nothing. I have a cold.
Oh.
I'm not contagious.
Oh, okay.
Mommy's in LA
to visit some of her friends,
and while she's here,
I wanna steal her away
for just a little bit, so she
can fill me in
on everything that's been
going on in Atlanta.
Just tell me what I missed
because apparently
I've missed everything.Well, okay then, I
Thank you.You know, we celebrated
Traci's birthday.
Yes, yes.
That was nice.
That was nice.
Kevin came in town.
Okay, okay.
Kevin seemed to be
a little out of it.
Little Kevin?
He's meeting with Spirit
for therapy
before he goes back to Maryland.
I am a little concerned
about Kevin.
He seems to be a little lost.
He's going through a divorce
and what have you,
and his mom is not here.
I think he's gonna have to have
extensive counseling.
How is your residency?
How are you doing?I am nervous.
I've been
"Cautious" is the word.
'Cause I'm never nervous about
performing
Mnh-mnhbut just cautious.
Just making sure I pace myself
and don't overdo it.
And catching this cold
isn't the best thing.
Mm-hmm.Yeah.
So, when do you start?
Mother's Day.
Mother's Day.
What's great is that
the show's all worked out,
but I just need to make sure
I schedule
some rest periods in between
so I don't overwork my body.
I don't want the lupus
to flare up.
I don't wanna do anything
to get it excited.
So I have to prepare and listen
to my body, no matter what.
Hello. Good evening.
How are you doing tonight?How are you?
Good evening.I'm good.
Can I get a hot toddy?
A hot toddy.
I think I'll have
a hot cup of tea.
Do we wanna order?
Whatever you eat,
that's what I'm going to eat.
So, just do our usual.Of course.
Thank you so much.You're welcome.
So, what about Ced?
Ced is fantastic.
Is he?
Although I'm telling some jokes.
What?
[Sighs] You got jokes on?
He's letting me do a few jokes.
You've been practicing?I've been practicing.
Yeah.Alright, we have
our hot toddy.
Okay.
Maybe he'll like the joke.
Can you move
over here?
Tell me what you think about
my joke.
Okay, this is the joke,
okay?
What do you call
a bear with no teeth?
I'm not sure.
A gummy bear.
[Laughs]
Well, it was
No? You didn't think
it was funny?
You think it's funny?A gummy bear?
I thought it was pretty good.
Okay.I have a kid, so I think
it was a little funny.
[Laughing]
He don't think so.
He's just trying to be gracious.
Thank you for the love.You're welcome.
He can't wait to get away.
What?[Laughs]
Bye.
How could you say that, Mom?
I'm your child.
We have our prawn toast.Thank you.
Here we go.
Don't tell me another joke.
Just go and sing.
I enjoy that.
Trina and I we went shopping,
to find me a dress.Oh.
Oh, that's long enough.Now, that's cute.
Yeah, that's me.
That's more me.
For what?
For what?
For the
Didn't you
Aren't you setting
something up for me?
Oh. Oh, the date thing.
Yeah.
You were serious
about that?
I-I thought you were serious!
My kids
are still trying to get me
to go out on dates,
especially Toni.
Trying to set up a date for me,
but they always
the wrong ones, though.
I don't know.
I'm nervous about it.
I'm gonna do it.
I'm gonna get you a date.
What about a retired
basketball player?
They have bad knees.
They're not wrapped too tight
'cause they been knocked down,
bumped their heads.
♪♪
Unh-unh.
Okay.
What about a professor?
Well, they they might have
Alzheimer's
because they use
their brains so much.
Only thing left, Ma,
is a 30-, 40-year-old.
That's all I got for you.Oh, no. We don't
We don't
We don't roll like that.
Mommy has very high standards
for everything in her life,
and most of all, men.
Miss E is picky as
I like tall guys.
Oh, so he would be tall.
Financially?
Stable. Somebody
that's successful.
I don't like roughneck.
Oh, I wouldn't think
you would like a roughneck, Ma.
And she wants him to walk
like Denzel Washington.
I don't know where
we're gonna find this guy.
I really do think the guy,
that right guy, is out there.
So I'm gonna make
some calls to my friends.
And we'll never stop looking
until we find
the perfect guy for her.
Ma, I think you should hang out
with your girlfriends,
and maybe they need to tell
you what you need to date.
I was thinking about talking
to my girlfriend, Mablean.
Auntie Judge May
and
Yeah, yeah.
I think I'm going to do that.
I just wanted to know
the number.
Like, 50 is too young.
Girl,
that's my children's age.True.
That's y'all age.60 is too young.
Is 80 too old?
Now, that's the joke.
[Both laugh]
What the devil I'm gonna
do with that?
Lord have mercy.
♪♪
Man:
She pulling up now.
♪♪
Tamar: What you doing
with all that?
[Laughs]
What it is?
How you doing?
Hey, baby! Mwah!
Yes, honey!
Hi!
Yo. I love you.
I love you.
And thank you
for doing this.Oh, any time.
Carlos King is a reality TV
producer and creator.
And when Traci was sick,
she wanted to tell her story.
So I called Carlos.
He held on to that secret,
and that's how Carlos and I
became very, very good friends.
Okay, so, listen,
what we doing?
Okay.
So, this is real talk.
Tonight
Uh-huh.
is all about you.
Oh, okay.
It's all about you.
What that mean?What that means is,
we are gonna have
a conversation.
About what?
We're gonna talk about the past,
present, and future.
[Laughs]
You're such a producer.
You're just like over here No! Stop!
"Oh, this is all about you!"
It is!
"This your moment!
"This is your scene!
"This is for you to let loose,
say what you need to say,"
so I can get out there
and tell everybody
all of my damn business.
No, I'm not.No!
Carlos is a kiki,
so I'm feeling excited
about being here,
but a little nervous
'cause Messy Mondays,
and it's time to get messy
on a Monday.
[Laughs]
Okay, what we
not talking about?
Well, listen, with you and I,
nothing's off limits.
However, dot-com,
backslash, org
I know the limitations.
First of all, now
[laughing]
why are the lips
pursed, honey?
[Laughter]
I can't
'Cause you know I know,
I know.
Tamar, I can't take
your lips being pursed.
Everybody wants to know
about "The Braxtons"
and why is it coming back
and why I, specifically,
you know, am a part of this.
I mean, I don't have a problem
talking about the show
because, you know,
I have nothing to hide.
My truth is my truth,
and it's thetruth.
And, I mean, I'm here for Traci.
We're gonna have fun.
It's a kiki.
It's a live conversation.
And it's really all about you.
Mm-hmm.So, that's all we gonna do.
Okay.
We're gonna have
so much fun, Tamar.
Oh, my God, Carlos.
I need a drink.
[Cheers and applause]
♪♪
Toni: Even though they say
the show must go on,
sometimes shows get canceled.
♪♪
[Cheers and applause]
"The Braxtons" are back!
[Cheers and applause]
How has filming been so far?
Well, I'm a friend to the show,
so I'm not really quite sure.
The first go-around,
I almost lost my life.
I can't allow that
to happen to me.
♪♪
They were talking,
and then he started slurring.
And then she said
the phone blacked out.
Little Kevin is in the valley,
in the shadow of death.
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
Hey, Mikey!
Michael:
Welcome, welcome.Mikey.
Toni:
What's up, little bud?Hello, hi.
Oh, you got it all
set up.
Ooh, what's that?
♪♪
This is for
"Unbreak My Heart."
Ooh, yes.
Mm, I love it.
With my Vegas residency
being just around the corner,
my stylist, Ashley,
and I are meeting
just to make
some final decisions.
Toni:
But which do I try on first?
What we doing?
I wanna try on
the white one.
Okay, I'm gonna go
try it on.
Residency shows are bigger
than they ever were.
The wardrobe is a huge,
huge part of that.
Ashley: Ya-da!Okay. What do you think?
[Michael Wolf-whistles]A little naked
Let me tie you in.
Let me tie the back.Naked bootyish though, huh?
Naked bootyish?
I feel so naked.Do you?
It's just
your leg out, T.
I know, but You got one leg out.
And then you got
this side zip.
Do you think But this is a lot of booty.
But it looks good.Ashley: I hate the shoe,
though.
We're not doing
this shoe, right?No, no, no.
Oh, okay.What's wrong with the shoe?
The shoe is horrible.
You know that's not the shoe.
Okay, let me try on one more
for the after party.
Okay.
A little short thing?
Toni:
I think it might be
Guys, I think this look
too Easter.
You know, Mommy wears colors.
She loves these colors,
this and blues.
Mommy!
I got to hook mommy up.
I'm trying to find her a date.
When I told mommy a week ago
that I'd help set her up
on a blind date,
I didn't realize she was
ready to go, like, right away.
So I need to make it happen
before she changes her mind.
Do you know anybody?
Think of somebody.
Let's put Miss E
on an app.
I don't know if she gonna do
the app thing.
She ain't gonna do
the app?No.
Just don't get her
on Grindr.
That's the wrong one
for Mom.
Well, I don't know nothing
about those not the names.
Keep her off Grindr.
My brother's single.Miss E is special.
How old is your brother?He's 50.
You trying to get me killed?
"I don't mess with nobody
my children's age."
Okay. Alright.Let's give her like anybody.
Just think.As much as you like
this dress, right?
I like this dress.
I just think the color
is a little too Easter.
Wouldn't this be beautiful
in white?
I would love this
in white, yes.With a white blazer?
When are you doing
your white line for boys?
I wanna do
something for
and I wanna do something
for the boys,
'cause they look so good
in the suits.Denim's modeling.
I didn't tell you?
Denim's modeling.
Can he walk in my show?He wore your suit.
Yeah, he wore the suit
for the premier.
But when is
the line coming out?
'Cause Denim's modeling.
I'm working on it.
I wanna do something
for Fashion Week,
and I'd love to do something
with the boys for Fashion Week.
Okay, okay.
See? That's good.They gotta be in it.
I'm not supposed to really help,
so you can't tell them
that I said something.Okay, no, don't say anything.
Don't say anything.
Toni:
I've already pitched to Denim
that my manager, Kenneth, and I
could help manage him.
But it's hard sometimes talking
to your kids about these things
without them thinking
I'm meddling.
So I have to be delicate,
but also straightforward.
Call all your friends
that Denim's available.
But also delicate.
Hey, we have
a lot of chores.
I have to make eight
new dresses for the show,
find mommy a husband
that's 80 and fabulous
Put the boys in the showand put the boys in the show
and a fashion shoot.
It takes a village.Ashley:
It takes a village.
This is a village.
It's what we gotta do.Alright.
I'm making Mommy's
Grindr account right now.
♪♪
Hi!
Ladies and gentlemen,
give it up
for the one, the only
Tamar Braxton!
[Cheers and applause]
♪♪
Where are all my
Tamartians?
Give it up!
[Cheers and applause continue]
Hi, Tamar.
Hi, my love.
How are you?
I feel healthy and blessed
and so, so grateful.
I feel great.
I've never done
a live podcast before,
so, you know,
it's a little bit different
because I don't know
what the hell he gonna say.
[Laughs]
What was going on in
your life when you felt like,
"Reality TV may be
the next phase of my career"?
You know, we grew up
on shows like
"A Different World,"
and "227," right?
Like, Black scripted television.
And after a while,
we just didn't have
any of those things
to like,
compare our lives to
or to identify with anybody
on television.
And I just felt like there are
no examples of Black women
on television
in all facets of life.
So I just thought
it would be important,
you know,
to bring that to television.
That was really
what it was about.
Woman #1: Whoo!Woman #2: Yes!
So, here you are.
I remember watching the show,
and I was immediately drawn
to you.
Why, though?
You I'm gonna tell
what it was.
You came in on a scene
funny than a [bleep] dot-com.
Hey, y'all!
Where the Gaga music?
Aye, aye, aye, aye
And me, me, me,
and me ♪
Beats took a pass at it.
You cannot ask me
to compromisssse
my beatness.
Have several seats.
This is a lot of money.
Get your life!
You're Team Too Much.
Point blank
and the period.
You were arguably
immediately the breakout star.
Did that have an effect on your
relationship with your family?
You are so
It's Messy Monday, huh?
No! It's
Um
I'm not really sure.
I don't know how
to answer that question.
Woman:
Honestly.
She said honestly.
[Laughter]
Um, It definitely started
a lot of tension, if I'm honest.
Do you regret doing the show?
Do you feel like
if the show never happened,
the relationship
would be different?
Relationship wise, yes,
but for the culture, no.
It was necessary.
"The Braxtons"
was good for the culture
because it was important
for our culture to know
that, you know,
we are not outcasts.
We had a lot of lessons
on "Braxton Family Values"
that a lot of families
can relate to and understood.
And sometimes
when you watch somebody
going through
the same situations
that you're going through,
it helps you get over yours.
Do you mind taking us back
to that moment,
to all your dreams
are coming true,
but did you feel like it was
at the cost of your marriage?
[Audience ohhs]
[Sighs heavily]
[Audience murmuring]
Vince and I
I was 26 years old
when we started dating.
Yeah.
I didn't know that.
Yes.
During that time, we were
basically growing up together,
and sometimes when you grow up
with your spouse,
you grow apart.
Although I learned
a lot from Vince,
I also am more proud
of the businesswoman
and the artist
that I am today.
And so,
I mean, my love for him
when I was that young
was very true, very honest.
And I do feel like
it was just for that time.
I'm happy to hear that you guys
are in a good place.
Yeah, we're in a great place.It means a lot to me.
Speaking of good place,
"The Braxtons" are back!
[Cheers and applause]
♪♪
Ah, not the sip
of the Patrón, honey.
All of, you know,
you ladies are back.
And, honestly,
rest in peace, Traci,
who we love
and we miss dearly.
[Cheers and applause]Rest in peace, Traci.
So, you guys
are currently filming.
How has filming been so far?
Well, I'm a friend to the show,
so I'm not really quite sure.
[Audience murmuring]
♪♪
It's supposed
to be a blind date, guys.
I want him to fulfill
all of my needs.Angela: That's right.
Ashley:
How you feeling?
Toni: Emotionally drained.
I can't deny it.
Tamar:
You know, it's scary
because that is my sister
and I love her.
Once you lose a sibling,
the worst thought in the world
is losing another one.
Feel like I got betrayed.
They were talking, and then
the phone blacked out.
♪♪
So, you guys are
currently filming.
How has filming been
so far?
Well, I'm a friend to the show,
so I'm not really quite sure.
[Audience murmuring]
[Laughter]
♪♪
Well, only because, you know,
I have to be mentally
responsible.
You know, it was a lot for me.
And a lot of people
want to feel like
everything that I went through
was fake
or to get out of a contract.
I think I heard that somewhere.
Ridiculous.
And it wasn't.
I was really going through it.
I really felt captive.
And it was not
the best mental situation.
I have been wanting to quit
"The Braxtons" since Season 3.
[Audience murmurs]
Tamar: Everybody has already
made up their minds about me,
and there's only so much bashing
one person can take.
Woman:
Tamar, do not leave!
Get in the
Tamar, we are talking.
This is my last scene This is
my last scene and season.
The first go-around,
I almost lost my life.
And I can't allow that
to happen to me.
I have a responsibility
for my son.
I have a responsibility
to show up for myself.
And my boundaries are very firm.
And they're not to be
rude or anything.
It's just that
I have to remain healthy.
I just didn't wanna go back
because I didn't wanna
put myself in that predicament.
Now, since then,
if I'm being fair,
there are different people
over there now.
Yes, it is.
Who look like us.
Yeah.
I'm a friend to the show.
[Laughter]
No, this is not shade!
I've changed! I promise!
[Laughter continues]
It's not!
It's not shade!
Is it Okay, so,
being a friend to the show,
is that easier for you?
Do you feel more
Do you feel more at ease
knowing that you don't have
the pressures
of carrying the show again?
[Audience murmuring]
Is that
No, I don't think that's
accurate.
What about Toni Braxton?
Y'all tuned in for Toni Braxton.
Oh, we love
Oh, we love all!
Don't do that.
We tuned for Traci.
We tuned for Traci.
We love all of them.
Trina.
Trina's a hoot, honey.
We love Towanda.
Yeah.
I think people think
that I am someone that I'm not,
I love attention
and I want all the attention,
and that is the farthest
from the truth.
I wanted it to be
about all of us.
And that is still
the goal today.
You have made
my dreams come true tonight.
I am a lucky, lucky boy
to call you my friend,
and I love you.
[Cheers and applause]
♪♪
♪♪
Been down before but now I'm
better than I've ever been ♪
Just checking in, and Miss E
will kind of take the lead
and just tell you
what's been happening.
Judge Mablean:
Oh, okay.
[Laughter]
All night and it's all good
And it's all good
Hey, guys!
Hey!
Hey, you.
[Smooches]
I love it.
I love it!
[Laughter]
Sit the whole thing
down.
It's good when sister girls
get together and make you laugh.
I wanted to talk to my friends
Marla, Angela, and Judge Mablean
about dating, because I know
that they're dating.
What have you
been up to?
Well, I just finished
a cooking show with Tamar.
Mablean: Oh, really?
Oh, okay.
What'd you cook?
I made the seafood blend,
smothered pork chops with grits.
Oh, that's a new take on it.
Instead of shrimp and grits.
I never had some pork chops
with grits,
even to this old
Southern belle.
[Laughs]
So, what's been going on
with the other side,
with the dating side?
I hear you tried it.
I hear you tried a date.
Are we dating again?
It's supposed
to be a blind date, guys.
So, who's setting this up?
Tamar?
You know my kids.
And I have to watch my children.
'Cause remember, Towanda set me
up with that 27-year-old boy.
Just trust me.
You'll have fun.
What is he, about 70, 80?
No.
How old are you?
Man:
Twenty-seven.
No.
All righty, then.
How we doing?
How are you?
Would you care for a margarita
or some prosecco?
I think I want
the orange ginger stir fry.
Okay. Of course.
I don't have any reservations
at all about meeting new people.
You just don't want to just sit
in one little old corner
and say, "Well, my life is over.
I guess I'll just,
you know, sit here."
You don't do that!
So, give us
your criteria.
He got to have, at least,
some sense.
He at least has to be?
Tall.
He'd have to have
some sense.
And, guys,
he'd have to have a bag.
A bag.
And not a colostomy bag.
Not a colostomy bag.
That green bag.
He got to have some money.
He's got to be tall.
That looks good too.Ooh. That looks great.
As we age, they tend
not to be as interested
in the sexuality and sensuality
as much.
Now, is that an important factor
in your life?
Angela:
Good question.
If that desire hit me, I want
him to fulfill all of my needs.
That's right.
She said,
"Ifthat desire hit me."
Now, who does she think
she talking to?
[Laughter]
And especially at 48
and holding.
Oh, yeah. I changed from 39
and holding to 48 and holding.
'Cause you know
she's 30.
You're 30.
You're still 30 and holding?She's staying on 30.
As spiritual beings,
we don't have no age.
Oh.So I choose to vibrate on 30.
Did she say vibrate?
[Laughs]
Unh-unh. Unh-unh.
I ain't getting into that.
You got to change
the word "vibrate."
'Cause they bad.
They bad.
[Laughing] I ain't getting
into That's Mablean.
You know that's Mablean.
Do you care about sex?
Been there, done that.
Actually, it's something
you can do for yourself.
Ooh!
No, she didn't say that.
No, she didn't say that.I love her.
It sound like you ready.
Like, readyready.
Well, I'm ready-Freddy.
She ready for Freddy.
[Laughter]
Mablean: Or Teddy.
Or Eddie.
[Laughter]
You'll always be
my baby boy.
I'm always gonna be
Toni Braxton's son.
But Denim Braxton I want
that to mean something as well.
You know what I mean?
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
Denim:
I am rolling out.
Finna get some of this
right quick.
I just want to powder you
a bit.
What do you usually do?My mom be doing it for me.
I don't know the name
of anything.
That's cute.
For my last shoot, she just came
by and, like, did her own thing.
Put everything on pause.[Laughs]
Moms always know best.
Right.
♪♪
♪♪
Toni:
Hey, Denny.
Hey, Mom.
How's it going?Good.
Mekhi: That's perfect.
I'm gonna come in on your face.
Okay.
Toni: I've been in this business
for some time now,
so I'm gonna stop by
Denim's photo shoot
and try not to embarrass him
too much.
Hi.
I'm Denim's mom.
Hi. Nice to meet you.
Mekhi.
Even though I'm his mom,
I'm actually thinking of this
as a business meeting, you know?
I'm hoping he'll be open
to me managing him,
and I want to see how
serious he is about modeling.
This test shoot could just be
the beginning.
I just want to make sure
he has the best start
to his career as possible.
[Camera beeping,
shutter clicking]
Mekhi:Chin up.
Got it.
All right.
Let's check those.
Can I look at them?
Yes.
Okay. Let's see.
Oh, that's nice. I like that.
Oh, the green is lovely.Just scroll that way.
I'm gonna be honest.
I'm concerned.
Because the fashion
and the entertainment world
can be very cutthroat
and competitive.
But I got to be careful,
though,
or I'll never get invited
to his set again.
Denim: She's probably gonna post
that on her little Instagram
with a cringey caption.
What's a cringey caption?She has some cringey captions.
What does "cringey captions"
mean?
She'll be calling me, like,
"pookie bear" or something.
I'm not dealing with that.
"Seriously, Mom?
Seriously, Mom?"
It's like it's so painful
for them.
Why do boys do that?
Let's do a mom pose.
Oh, no.
Let me do a mom pose.
This is a mom pose, right?
I've learned a thing or two
about how, you know,
to strike a pose
or pick the perfect shot.
Most people enjoy having
their picture taken with me.
Mekhi: I think we got it.We got it?
Let's do that.
You can post that one.I can post that?
That's the one.
Thank you, son.That's the one. I got you.
I remember the good old days
when I could drop him off at
school and hug and kiss on him,
and it all changed
when he turned5
This is nice.
It feels good.
I'm finally taking this modeling
thing seriously.
Yeah?
I feel like it's gonna
go well.
So, you want to
do modeling?
But it's kind of like, with me,
I'm always grateful
for, you know, my upbringing
and you and Dad
and the whole family
for always supporting me,
but, like,
it's creating my own name.
I'm always gonna be
Toni Braxton's son.
But Denim Braxton I want
that to mean something as well.
You know what I mean?
I get it.
Thank you again, Mom.
Love you.
I love you too.
I'm your mom, so I'm not
supposed to say this out loud,
but you'll always be
my baby boy.
My oldest baby boy.Oldest.
Not baby, just oldest.
Ohh!
I can't believe how mature and
independent Denim is right now.
I'm so proud.
Obviously he doesn't want
my management help.
He wants to prove he can be
his own man.
What mother could be mad
at that?
You just kiss them
and let them live their lives.
You're making moves.Mm-hmm.
Can we go get something
to eat?Yeah.
What do you want to eat?Mr. Chows.
Right?
♪♪
I'm Tez.
I'm a healer.
I do crossing over,
where I get to connect
with people that have passed on.
If there's anything
you'd like to say to her?
Yeah.
Um, I have a lot of regret.
[Sighs]
♪♪
I feel like this year has been
the hardest year.
You have to give yourself
permission
to do what's best
for you.
♪♪
Towanda: They were FaceTiming,
and then the phone blacked out.
♪♪
Miss E:
Make sure I'm right,
'cause, you know, I'm trying to
catch my children a stepdaddy.
♪♪
I don't know if I should trust
my daughters trying
to find me a date.
But Toni found somebody, and I
did not have to look very hard
to figure out who my date was.
This has to be him.
Let me check it out.
♪♪
Well!
Well, good afternoon.
How you doing?
Good afternoon!
I'm fine.
How are you?
I go to Newport.
Okay.
Sounds good to me.
Have a seat.
Thank you.
He was a nice height.
I like them taller,
but at our age, we shrink.
Everything on was purple,
but if that's what he wants to
do, all righty, then.
What is your name?Shellie. Shellie Christian.
Oh, okay. Okay.
Evelyn Braxton.
You know, I didn't know that.You didn't know that?
No, I didn't!
[Both laugh]
I'm gonna tell you right now.
I like to have fun.
I'm a good jokester, soThat's okay. That's okay.Me too.
I'm a typical
I just eat regular food.
Give me a hamburger
orlobster, you know?
But all these Italian dishes
on here.
I don't eat spaghetti.
Wow.
As men get older,
they're not gonna change.
They're just who they are
baby girls and baby boys.
They're not gonna really change.
Give me a little insight
about you.
Like get back to
when you were a kid.
Well, I got married
when I was 2.
I had my oldest child
when I was 3.
[Laughing] I like that.I got divorced when I was 10.
Uh, I had six kids,
and the rest is history.
I'm not gonna complain at all,
you know?
Yeah, I know
that's right.
I would think there'd be
a million men
knocking on your door,
trying to get to take you out.
How I got to be chosen?
Maybe the men
that knocked on my door
maybe I just
didn't answer.
Um
Black folk food?
Yeah.
Just give me
the chicken sandwich.
And for you?
I think I'll have
the same thing.
But anyway.
Well, give me some more
about you.
me, myself, and I.
I've been horseback riding.
I eat cabbage, and I eat
spinach, you know?
I was in Tyler Perry's
first two movies.
I've been in
quite a few fashion shows.
Mm-hmm.
I'm not a wallflower,
you know?
I see.
It's my understanding
that your daughter set you up.
My daughter
It may
or may not be true.
You ain't getting off
Those are some big fries.
Dear God!
Thank you.Server: You're welcome.
What kind of fries
are these?
Okay. It's all right.Enjoy.
Thank you.
Thank you.
But don't know.
All I heard was the "yuca,"
you know?
[Both laughing]
Um
♪♪
I think that for someone
else, he would be great.
For me?
No.
I'm gonna have her wrap this
for me.
We both will.Yeah.
[Laughs]
It was a nice gathering,
but I didn't see any need
for exchanging numbers.
[Laughs]
I'm waiting on somebody
to give us a cue
as to whether we can get up
or whether we're finished
or, you knowYeah.
Okay.[Laughs]
Thank you so much.
I appreciate you.
I'm out.
[Indistinct conversations]
♪♪
♪♪
I feel like this year
has been the hardest year.
Mm-hmm.
My wife, she was just like,
"Oh, yeah. I want a divorce."
I don't know
where it came from.
So, the divorce
was unexpected?
Got blindsided, actually.
I told her every day,
"I'm gonna fight for my family,"
and she'd say,
"There's nothing to fight for."
It's playing with
my emotions,
'cause I want
my family back.
You have to
give yourself permission
to do what's best
for you.
♪♪
[Indistinct conversations]
Okay.
Hey, where is he?
He's inside.Look.
So, he came out of it,
but he definitely had a seizure
and he's a little
all over the place.
Of course.
We sent the producer
to go get his medicine.
But you should go check
on him.
I am.
He's supposed to catch
his flight tonight.
I don't knowIf he's gonna be able
to do that?
You know, I'm hoping if
he gets his medicine, he's okay.
He's inside.
All right. Yeah.
Olivia called me.
They were FaceTiming.When it happened?
Yeah.
Really?
So, they were talking,
and then he started slurring,
and she's like,
"What's going on?"
And he said
he feels weird.
Yeah.
Then she said
the phone blacked out.
So, she texted me and she said,
"Kev may be having a seizure.
He isn't answering."
Yeah.
He got a lot going on.
Yeah, it's the stress.
It's stress-induced.
Yeah.
Little Kevin started getting
seizures after Traci passed.
I am thankful that production
was there with him,
because he wasn't alone
and they were able to make sure
that he was safe.
Nephew!
Kevin Jr.:
Auntie!
[Exhales deeply]
All right.
You okay?
I'm better.
Okay.
I'm better.
I'm just gonna take
my medicine more.
Yes, you do have to take
your medicine more.
I'm gonna try and call
my mom.
It's all right.
[Line ringing]
Is it okay if I tell her?
Yeah.Okay.
I was gonna tell her
anyways.
Miss E: Hey, baby girl.Hey, Mama.
Hey.
Well, I got you on speaker.
I'm with Scratchy.
Okay.He had a seizure.
Lord have mercy.
Hey, baby.
Hey, Mom-Mom.
How you feeling now?
Yeah, up there,
but on my arm.
Can we get some ice?Say it again, Mom-Mom.
How are you feeling now?
I'm okay.
I think I was just stressed.
We're gonna have to lighten
your load.
Right.
It's a lot.
It is.
It was a lot.
So we have to limit
what you're doing.
They want him to do it
twice a day.
It's 1,000 milligrams.
Don't do it once.
Do it twice a day.
No, ma'am. Production got
his medicine for him.
I'm just so nervous for him.
He's a little jittery.
Me too!
You know?
I know in between his grief
for his mom and his divorce,
there is so much
that he has suppressed,
and this is how it's coming out.
You have court?
I have court.
And when is it? Tomorrow?Tomorrow.
Is that in Maryland?
That's in Maryland.
Yes, ma'am.
But Liv did mention She
said she would reschedule it.
Yeah!Yeah.
Mommy, I'm gonna call
his wife now
to see if she can postpone
the court.
Yeah.
Okay. Bye.
Bye.
♪♪
Yeah, that'd be the main thing,
to see if she's open to that.
You know,
going or rescheduling.
Let me ask her.
I've spoken with Kevin's ex,
Olivia.
They recommended him
not to fly tonight.
And I'm just grateful that even
with everything that's going on,
she's being understanding
and had the care to call me
when he was in trouble.
Yeah. You need to relax.Now, one good question is
being by myself
in the hotel.
You afraid to be by yourself
in the hotel?
I just You know,
just check on me.
Just check on me while I'm
in there. Just call.
Of course I am.
Are you kidding me?
You got a hundred people
that's gonna
You ain't gonna get no sleep
'cause everybody's gonna be
calling you every five minutes.
[Laughs]
♪♪
♪♪
[Indistinct conversations]
[Doorbell rings]
♪♪
Hey, hey, hey.
Miss E:Hey!
How are you?
Kevin Jr.: Okay.All righty, then.
Come on in the room.
Where you sitting?Okay.
My boy's handsome face!
How you coming along, baby?
What's up?
You seem so sullen.
What's going on?
Trina:
Little Kevin sent me a text
to say that there were some
developments on his divorce.
Divorce is hard,
and no one wins.
And I know that
from experience.
Ha!
'Cause I've been through two.
But Mommy and I
are trying to stay calm,
because little Kevin's health
is fragile as it is,
and we're here to build him up,
and that's what he needs
right now.
Yesterday was
kind of scary.
So that was a lot.
♪♪
I also got off the phone
with Liv.
She just completed
the divorce
♪♪
and took full custody
of baby Kevin.
♪♪
You can appeal.You can appeal that.
Yeah.You really can.
What about my house?
She took that too.
I'm sorry.Me too.
I'm really sorry.
It's kind of a gut punch
right now.
Yes, it is.
'Cause she told me
she was gonna reschedule it,
and she didn't do it.
So I kind of feel like
I got, like, betrayed
more than she already did.
You know what? People say
all is fair in love and war.
I can't speak for Olivia
and what she chose to do
and what she didn't choose
to do.
Sometimes when you're
going through that,
you can only see
what's happening to you.
You know, no one wins.
No one wins in a divorce.
Yeah. It's been
about 24 hours.
Yes, it has!
That's a lot, buddy.
Yeah, it's a lot.
That's a lot
for one person to go through in
such a short span of time there.
You're going to get
through this.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
You're gonna have to somehow
get with your lawyer.
You make sure you're in
that boy's life.
He needs you as a father.
♪♪
You'll be all right.
I'm gonna make sure
that I am.
Yes, you are. Why?
'Cause you're your mother's son.
Mm-hmm.
There ain't no doubt
about that.
She didn't let things
get her down.
You push her down on one end,
she bounced up on the other.
And that's who you are.
♪♪
You'll be all right.
Well, we love you very much,
and the door is always open.
I love you too.
One hundred percent
of the time.
What worries me
about little Kevin right now
is that he's in the valley
in the shadow of death.
All right.
We'll meet you downstairs.
Thank you, baby.Thank you, baby.
He cannot really find
happiness right now,
until he gets through
the valley.
And I believe it's gonna take
a while.
♪♪
Mommy's always the first one
ready to go.
She's doing her
own marketing shoot.
I don't feel connected to
this whole production again.
How are you feeling?Emotionally drained.
I can't deny it.
Toni: My nerves have been
all over the place,
thinking about my health issues
and my return to Vegas.
'Cause I'm not doing great.
Toni Braxton
and Cedric the Entertainer!
I have lupus.
I'm sorry.
I just get a little emotional.
I totally understand.Cedric: Yeah.
♪♪
It's just a month
until the premiere
of my new residency
in Las Vegas
with Cedric the Entertainer.
There are millions of things
to think about all at once.
Man:
Good job! Work!
Why do you wait until
you're in a state of emergency
to call on your family?
As a man, I'm trying to
figure things out myself.
He's fighting for his wife.
He's fighting for his marriage.
Traci's birthday is coming up.
We should have a birthday party.
Today is about Traci.
Towanda: Surprise!
[Screams]
[Laughter]
I don't want to feel sad.
I don't want to feel memories.
I don't wanna feel nothing.
Traci and I did have
a lot of disagreements,
if I'm honest about it,
but we still very much loved
each other.
I got to know
a different side of Traci
than to how our relationship
was on television.
It was very adult.
It was very sister-like.
As amazing as "The Braxtons"
was for everyone,
for me, that wasn't my story.
And I deserve, you know,
to be proud of myself.
Yeah.At the end of the day,
I can't be happy about my life
if I'm not proud of myself.
♪♪
♪♪
Miss E: Hey.Hey, Mommy.
How are you?
Mwah!
I haven't seen you in forever.Mwah!
It feels like it.You smell good.
Well, yeah.You smell great.
Thank you, girl.
What's new?
Nothing. I have a cold.
Oh.
I'm not contagious.
Oh, okay.
Mommy's in LA
to visit some of her friends,
and while she's here,
I wanna steal her away
for just a little bit, so she
can fill me in
on everything that's been
going on in Atlanta.
Just tell me what I missed
because apparently
I've missed everything.Well, okay then, I
Thank you.You know, we celebrated
Traci's birthday.
Yes, yes.
That was nice.
That was nice.
Kevin came in town.
Okay, okay.
Kevin seemed to be
a little out of it.
Little Kevin?
He's meeting with Spirit
for therapy
before he goes back to Maryland.
I am a little concerned
about Kevin.
He seems to be a little lost.
He's going through a divorce
and what have you,
and his mom is not here.
I think he's gonna have to have
extensive counseling.
How is your residency?
How are you doing?I am nervous.
I've been
"Cautious" is the word.
'Cause I'm never nervous about
performing
Mnh-mnhbut just cautious.
Just making sure I pace myself
and don't overdo it.
And catching this cold
isn't the best thing.
Mm-hmm.Yeah.
So, when do you start?
Mother's Day.
Mother's Day.
What's great is that
the show's all worked out,
but I just need to make sure
I schedule
some rest periods in between
so I don't overwork my body.
I don't want the lupus
to flare up.
I don't wanna do anything
to get it excited.
So I have to prepare and listen
to my body, no matter what.
Hello. Good evening.
How are you doing tonight?How are you?
Good evening.I'm good.
Can I get a hot toddy?
A hot toddy.
I think I'll have
a hot cup of tea.
Do we wanna order?
Whatever you eat,
that's what I'm going to eat.
So, just do our usual.Of course.
Thank you so much.You're welcome.
So, what about Ced?
Ced is fantastic.
Is he?
Although I'm telling some jokes.
What?
[Sighs] You got jokes on?
He's letting me do a few jokes.
You've been practicing?I've been practicing.
Yeah.Alright, we have
our hot toddy.
Okay.
Maybe he'll like the joke.
Can you move
over here?
Tell me what you think about
my joke.
Okay, this is the joke,
okay?
What do you call
a bear with no teeth?
I'm not sure.
A gummy bear.
[Laughs]
Well, it was
No? You didn't think
it was funny?
You think it's funny?A gummy bear?
I thought it was pretty good.
Okay.I have a kid, so I think
it was a little funny.
[Laughing]
He don't think so.
He's just trying to be gracious.
Thank you for the love.You're welcome.
He can't wait to get away.
What?[Laughs]
Bye.
How could you say that, Mom?
I'm your child.
We have our prawn toast.Thank you.
Here we go.
Don't tell me another joke.
Just go and sing.
I enjoy that.
Trina and I we went shopping,
to find me a dress.Oh.
Oh, that's long enough.Now, that's cute.
Yeah, that's me.
That's more me.
For what?
For what?
For the
Didn't you
Aren't you setting
something up for me?
Oh. Oh, the date thing.
Yeah.
You were serious
about that?
I-I thought you were serious!
My kids
are still trying to get me
to go out on dates,
especially Toni.
Trying to set up a date for me,
but they always
the wrong ones, though.
I don't know.
I'm nervous about it.
I'm gonna do it.
I'm gonna get you a date.
What about a retired
basketball player?
They have bad knees.
They're not wrapped too tight
'cause they been knocked down,
bumped their heads.
♪♪
Unh-unh.
Okay.
What about a professor?
Well, they they might have
Alzheimer's
because they use
their brains so much.
Only thing left, Ma,
is a 30-, 40-year-old.
That's all I got for you.Oh, no. We don't
We don't
We don't roll like that.
Mommy has very high standards
for everything in her life,
and most of all, men.
Miss E is picky as
I like tall guys.
Oh, so he would be tall.
Financially?
Stable. Somebody
that's successful.
I don't like roughneck.
Oh, I wouldn't think
you would like a roughneck, Ma.
And she wants him to walk
like Denzel Washington.
I don't know where
we're gonna find this guy.
I really do think the guy,
that right guy, is out there.
So I'm gonna make
some calls to my friends.
And we'll never stop looking
until we find
the perfect guy for her.
Ma, I think you should hang out
with your girlfriends,
and maybe they need to tell
you what you need to date.
I was thinking about talking
to my girlfriend, Mablean.
Auntie Judge May
and
Yeah, yeah.
I think I'm going to do that.
I just wanted to know
the number.
Like, 50 is too young.
Girl,
that's my children's age.True.
That's y'all age.60 is too young.
Is 80 too old?
Now, that's the joke.
[Both laugh]
What the devil I'm gonna
do with that?
Lord have mercy.
♪♪
Man:
She pulling up now.
♪♪
Tamar: What you doing
with all that?
[Laughs]
What it is?
How you doing?
Hey, baby! Mwah!
Yes, honey!
Hi!
Yo. I love you.
I love you.
And thank you
for doing this.Oh, any time.
Carlos King is a reality TV
producer and creator.
And when Traci was sick,
she wanted to tell her story.
So I called Carlos.
He held on to that secret,
and that's how Carlos and I
became very, very good friends.
Okay, so, listen,
what we doing?
Okay.
So, this is real talk.
Tonight
Uh-huh.
is all about you.
Oh, okay.
It's all about you.
What that mean?What that means is,
we are gonna have
a conversation.
About what?
We're gonna talk about the past,
present, and future.
[Laughs]
You're such a producer.
You're just like over here No! Stop!
"Oh, this is all about you!"
It is!
"This your moment!
"This is your scene!
"This is for you to let loose,
say what you need to say,"
so I can get out there
and tell everybody
all of my damn business.
No, I'm not.No!
Carlos is a kiki,
so I'm feeling excited
about being here,
but a little nervous
'cause Messy Mondays,
and it's time to get messy
on a Monday.
[Laughs]
Okay, what we
not talking about?
Well, listen, with you and I,
nothing's off limits.
However, dot-com,
backslash, org
I know the limitations.
First of all, now
[laughing]
why are the lips
pursed, honey?
[Laughter]
I can't
'Cause you know I know,
I know.
Tamar, I can't take
your lips being pursed.
Everybody wants to know
about "The Braxtons"
and why is it coming back
and why I, specifically,
you know, am a part of this.
I mean, I don't have a problem
talking about the show
because, you know,
I have nothing to hide.
My truth is my truth,
and it's thetruth.
And, I mean, I'm here for Traci.
We're gonna have fun.
It's a kiki.
It's a live conversation.
And it's really all about you.
Mm-hmm.So, that's all we gonna do.
Okay.
We're gonna have
so much fun, Tamar.
Oh, my God, Carlos.
I need a drink.
[Cheers and applause]
♪♪
Toni: Even though they say
the show must go on,
sometimes shows get canceled.
♪♪
[Cheers and applause]
"The Braxtons" are back!
[Cheers and applause]
How has filming been so far?
Well, I'm a friend to the show,
so I'm not really quite sure.
The first go-around,
I almost lost my life.
I can't allow that
to happen to me.
♪♪
They were talking,
and then he started slurring.
And then she said
the phone blacked out.
Little Kevin is in the valley,
in the shadow of death.
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
Hey, Mikey!
Michael:
Welcome, welcome.Mikey.
Toni:
What's up, little bud?Hello, hi.
Oh, you got it all
set up.
Ooh, what's that?
♪♪
This is for
"Unbreak My Heart."
Ooh, yes.
Mm, I love it.
With my Vegas residency
being just around the corner,
my stylist, Ashley,
and I are meeting
just to make
some final decisions.
Toni:
But which do I try on first?
What we doing?
I wanna try on
the white one.
Okay, I'm gonna go
try it on.
Residency shows are bigger
than they ever were.
The wardrobe is a huge,
huge part of that.
Ashley: Ya-da!Okay. What do you think?
[Michael Wolf-whistles]A little naked
Let me tie you in.
Let me tie the back.Naked bootyish though, huh?
Naked bootyish?
I feel so naked.Do you?
It's just
your leg out, T.
I know, but You got one leg out.
And then you got
this side zip.
Do you think But this is a lot of booty.
But it looks good.Ashley: I hate the shoe,
though.
We're not doing
this shoe, right?No, no, no.
Oh, okay.What's wrong with the shoe?
The shoe is horrible.
You know that's not the shoe.
Okay, let me try on one more
for the after party.
Okay.
A little short thing?
Toni:
I think it might be
Guys, I think this look
too Easter.
You know, Mommy wears colors.
She loves these colors,
this and blues.
Mommy!
I got to hook mommy up.
I'm trying to find her a date.
When I told mommy a week ago
that I'd help set her up
on a blind date,
I didn't realize she was
ready to go, like, right away.
So I need to make it happen
before she changes her mind.
Do you know anybody?
Think of somebody.
Let's put Miss E
on an app.
I don't know if she gonna do
the app thing.
She ain't gonna do
the app?No.
Just don't get her
on Grindr.
That's the wrong one
for Mom.
Well, I don't know nothing
about those not the names.
Keep her off Grindr.
My brother's single.Miss E is special.
How old is your brother?He's 50.
You trying to get me killed?
"I don't mess with nobody
my children's age."
Okay. Alright.Let's give her like anybody.
Just think.As much as you like
this dress, right?
I like this dress.
I just think the color
is a little too Easter.
Wouldn't this be beautiful
in white?
I would love this
in white, yes.With a white blazer?
When are you doing
your white line for boys?
I wanna do
something for
and I wanna do something
for the boys,
'cause they look so good
in the suits.Denim's modeling.
I didn't tell you?
Denim's modeling.
Can he walk in my show?He wore your suit.
Yeah, he wore the suit
for the premier.
But when is
the line coming out?
'Cause Denim's modeling.
I'm working on it.
I wanna do something
for Fashion Week,
and I'd love to do something
with the boys for Fashion Week.
Okay, okay.
See? That's good.They gotta be in it.
I'm not supposed to really help,
so you can't tell them
that I said something.Okay, no, don't say anything.
Don't say anything.
Toni:
I've already pitched to Denim
that my manager, Kenneth, and I
could help manage him.
But it's hard sometimes talking
to your kids about these things
without them thinking
I'm meddling.
So I have to be delicate,
but also straightforward.
Call all your friends
that Denim's available.
But also delicate.
Hey, we have
a lot of chores.
I have to make eight
new dresses for the show,
find mommy a husband
that's 80 and fabulous
Put the boys in the showand put the boys in the show
and a fashion shoot.
It takes a village.Ashley:
It takes a village.
This is a village.
It's what we gotta do.Alright.
I'm making Mommy's
Grindr account right now.
♪♪
Hi!
Ladies and gentlemen,
give it up
for the one, the only
Tamar Braxton!
[Cheers and applause]
♪♪
Where are all my
Tamartians?
Give it up!
[Cheers and applause continue]
Hi, Tamar.
Hi, my love.
How are you?
I feel healthy and blessed
and so, so grateful.
I feel great.
I've never done
a live podcast before,
so, you know,
it's a little bit different
because I don't know
what the hell he gonna say.
[Laughs]
What was going on in
your life when you felt like,
"Reality TV may be
the next phase of my career"?
You know, we grew up
on shows like
"A Different World,"
and "227," right?
Like, Black scripted television.
And after a while,
we just didn't have
any of those things
to like,
compare our lives to
or to identify with anybody
on television.
And I just felt like there are
no examples of Black women
on television
in all facets of life.
So I just thought
it would be important,
you know,
to bring that to television.
That was really
what it was about.
Woman #1: Whoo!Woman #2: Yes!
So, here you are.
I remember watching the show,
and I was immediately drawn
to you.
Why, though?
You I'm gonna tell
what it was.
You came in on a scene
funny than a [bleep] dot-com.
Hey, y'all!
Where the Gaga music?
Aye, aye, aye, aye
And me, me, me,
and me ♪
Beats took a pass at it.
You cannot ask me
to compromisssse
my beatness.
Have several seats.
This is a lot of money.
Get your life!
You're Team Too Much.
Point blank
and the period.
You were arguably
immediately the breakout star.
Did that have an effect on your
relationship with your family?
You are so
It's Messy Monday, huh?
No! It's
Um
I'm not really sure.
I don't know how
to answer that question.
Woman:
Honestly.
She said honestly.
[Laughter]
Um, It definitely started
a lot of tension, if I'm honest.
Do you regret doing the show?
Do you feel like
if the show never happened,
the relationship
would be different?
Relationship wise, yes,
but for the culture, no.
It was necessary.
"The Braxtons"
was good for the culture
because it was important
for our culture to know
that, you know,
we are not outcasts.
We had a lot of lessons
on "Braxton Family Values"
that a lot of families
can relate to and understood.
And sometimes
when you watch somebody
going through
the same situations
that you're going through,
it helps you get over yours.
Do you mind taking us back
to that moment,
to all your dreams
are coming true,
but did you feel like it was
at the cost of your marriage?
[Audience ohhs]
[Sighs heavily]
[Audience murmuring]
Vince and I
I was 26 years old
when we started dating.
Yeah.
I didn't know that.
Yes.
During that time, we were
basically growing up together,
and sometimes when you grow up
with your spouse,
you grow apart.
Although I learned
a lot from Vince,
I also am more proud
of the businesswoman
and the artist
that I am today.
And so,
I mean, my love for him
when I was that young
was very true, very honest.
And I do feel like
it was just for that time.
I'm happy to hear that you guys
are in a good place.
Yeah, we're in a great place.It means a lot to me.
Speaking of good place,
"The Braxtons" are back!
[Cheers and applause]
♪♪
Ah, not the sip
of the Patrón, honey.
All of, you know,
you ladies are back.
And, honestly,
rest in peace, Traci,
who we love
and we miss dearly.
[Cheers and applause]Rest in peace, Traci.
So, you guys
are currently filming.
How has filming been so far?
Well, I'm a friend to the show,
so I'm not really quite sure.
[Audience murmuring]
♪♪
It's supposed
to be a blind date, guys.
I want him to fulfill
all of my needs.Angela: That's right.
Ashley:
How you feeling?
Toni: Emotionally drained.
I can't deny it.
Tamar:
You know, it's scary
because that is my sister
and I love her.
Once you lose a sibling,
the worst thought in the world
is losing another one.
Feel like I got betrayed.
They were talking, and then
the phone blacked out.
♪♪
So, you guys are
currently filming.
How has filming been
so far?
Well, I'm a friend to the show,
so I'm not really quite sure.
[Audience murmuring]
[Laughter]
♪♪
Well, only because, you know,
I have to be mentally
responsible.
You know, it was a lot for me.
And a lot of people
want to feel like
everything that I went through
was fake
or to get out of a contract.
I think I heard that somewhere.
Ridiculous.
And it wasn't.
I was really going through it.
I really felt captive.
And it was not
the best mental situation.
I have been wanting to quit
"The Braxtons" since Season 3.
[Audience murmurs]
Tamar: Everybody has already
made up their minds about me,
and there's only so much bashing
one person can take.
Woman:
Tamar, do not leave!
Get in the
Tamar, we are talking.
This is my last scene This is
my last scene and season.
The first go-around,
I almost lost my life.
And I can't allow that
to happen to me.
I have a responsibility
for my son.
I have a responsibility
to show up for myself.
And my boundaries are very firm.
And they're not to be
rude or anything.
It's just that
I have to remain healthy.
I just didn't wanna go back
because I didn't wanna
put myself in that predicament.
Now, since then,
if I'm being fair,
there are different people
over there now.
Yes, it is.
Who look like us.
Yeah.
I'm a friend to the show.
[Laughter]
No, this is not shade!
I've changed! I promise!
[Laughter continues]
It's not!
It's not shade!
Is it Okay, so,
being a friend to the show,
is that easier for you?
Do you feel more
Do you feel more at ease
knowing that you don't have
the pressures
of carrying the show again?
[Audience murmuring]
Is that
No, I don't think that's
accurate.
What about Toni Braxton?
Y'all tuned in for Toni Braxton.
Oh, we love
Oh, we love all!
Don't do that.
We tuned for Traci.
We tuned for Traci.
We love all of them.
Trina.
Trina's a hoot, honey.
We love Towanda.
Yeah.
I think people think
that I am someone that I'm not,
I love attention
and I want all the attention,
and that is the farthest
from the truth.
I wanted it to be
about all of us.
And that is still
the goal today.
You have made
my dreams come true tonight.
I am a lucky, lucky boy
to call you my friend,
and I love you.
[Cheers and applause]
♪♪
♪♪
Been down before but now I'm
better than I've ever been ♪
Just checking in, and Miss E
will kind of take the lead
and just tell you
what's been happening.
Judge Mablean:
Oh, okay.
[Laughter]
All night and it's all good
And it's all good
Hey, guys!
Hey!
Hey, you.
[Smooches]
I love it.
I love it!
[Laughter]
Sit the whole thing
down.
It's good when sister girls
get together and make you laugh.
I wanted to talk to my friends
Marla, Angela, and Judge Mablean
about dating, because I know
that they're dating.
What have you
been up to?
Well, I just finished
a cooking show with Tamar.
Mablean: Oh, really?
Oh, okay.
What'd you cook?
I made the seafood blend,
smothered pork chops with grits.
Oh, that's a new take on it.
Instead of shrimp and grits.
I never had some pork chops
with grits,
even to this old
Southern belle.
[Laughs]
So, what's been going on
with the other side,
with the dating side?
I hear you tried it.
I hear you tried a date.
Are we dating again?
It's supposed
to be a blind date, guys.
So, who's setting this up?
Tamar?
You know my kids.
And I have to watch my children.
'Cause remember, Towanda set me
up with that 27-year-old boy.
Just trust me.
You'll have fun.
What is he, about 70, 80?
No.
How old are you?
Man:
Twenty-seven.
No.
All righty, then.
How we doing?
How are you?
Would you care for a margarita
or some prosecco?
I think I want
the orange ginger stir fry.
Okay. Of course.
I don't have any reservations
at all about meeting new people.
You just don't want to just sit
in one little old corner
and say, "Well, my life is over.
I guess I'll just,
you know, sit here."
You don't do that!
So, give us
your criteria.
He got to have, at least,
some sense.
He at least has to be?
Tall.
He'd have to have
some sense.
And, guys,
he'd have to have a bag.
A bag.
And not a colostomy bag.
Not a colostomy bag.
That green bag.
He got to have some money.
He's got to be tall.
That looks good too.Ooh. That looks great.
As we age, they tend
not to be as interested
in the sexuality and sensuality
as much.
Now, is that an important factor
in your life?
Angela:
Good question.
If that desire hit me, I want
him to fulfill all of my needs.
That's right.
She said,
"Ifthat desire hit me."
Now, who does she think
she talking to?
[Laughter]
And especially at 48
and holding.
Oh, yeah. I changed from 39
and holding to 48 and holding.
'Cause you know
she's 30.
You're 30.
You're still 30 and holding?She's staying on 30.
As spiritual beings,
we don't have no age.
Oh.So I choose to vibrate on 30.
Did she say vibrate?
[Laughs]
Unh-unh. Unh-unh.
I ain't getting into that.
You got to change
the word "vibrate."
'Cause they bad.
They bad.
[Laughing] I ain't getting
into That's Mablean.
You know that's Mablean.
Do you care about sex?
Been there, done that.
Actually, it's something
you can do for yourself.
Ooh!
No, she didn't say that.
No, she didn't say that.I love her.
It sound like you ready.
Like, readyready.
Well, I'm ready-Freddy.
She ready for Freddy.
[Laughter]
Mablean: Or Teddy.
Or Eddie.
[Laughter]
You'll always be
my baby boy.
I'm always gonna be
Toni Braxton's son.
But Denim Braxton I want
that to mean something as well.
You know what I mean?
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
Denim:
I am rolling out.
Finna get some of this
right quick.
I just want to powder you
a bit.
What do you usually do?My mom be doing it for me.
I don't know the name
of anything.
That's cute.
For my last shoot, she just came
by and, like, did her own thing.
Put everything on pause.[Laughs]
Moms always know best.
Right.
♪♪
♪♪
Toni:
Hey, Denny.
Hey, Mom.
How's it going?Good.
Mekhi: That's perfect.
I'm gonna come in on your face.
Okay.
Toni: I've been in this business
for some time now,
so I'm gonna stop by
Denim's photo shoot
and try not to embarrass him
too much.
Hi.
I'm Denim's mom.
Hi. Nice to meet you.
Mekhi.
Even though I'm his mom,
I'm actually thinking of this
as a business meeting, you know?
I'm hoping he'll be open
to me managing him,
and I want to see how
serious he is about modeling.
This test shoot could just be
the beginning.
I just want to make sure
he has the best start
to his career as possible.
[Camera beeping,
shutter clicking]
Mekhi:Chin up.
Got it.
All right.
Let's check those.
Can I look at them?
Yes.
Okay. Let's see.
Oh, that's nice. I like that.
Oh, the green is lovely.Just scroll that way.
I'm gonna be honest.
I'm concerned.
Because the fashion
and the entertainment world
can be very cutthroat
and competitive.
But I got to be careful,
though,
or I'll never get invited
to his set again.
Denim: She's probably gonna post
that on her little Instagram
with a cringey caption.
What's a cringey caption?She has some cringey captions.
What does "cringey captions"
mean?
She'll be calling me, like,
"pookie bear" or something.
I'm not dealing with that.
"Seriously, Mom?
Seriously, Mom?"
It's like it's so painful
for them.
Why do boys do that?
Let's do a mom pose.
Oh, no.
Let me do a mom pose.
This is a mom pose, right?
I've learned a thing or two
about how, you know,
to strike a pose
or pick the perfect shot.
Most people enjoy having
their picture taken with me.
Mekhi: I think we got it.We got it?
Let's do that.
You can post that one.I can post that?
That's the one.
Thank you, son.That's the one. I got you.
I remember the good old days
when I could drop him off at
school and hug and kiss on him,
and it all changed
when he turned5
This is nice.
It feels good.
I'm finally taking this modeling
thing seriously.
Yeah?
I feel like it's gonna
go well.
So, you want to
do modeling?
But it's kind of like, with me,
I'm always grateful
for, you know, my upbringing
and you and Dad
and the whole family
for always supporting me,
but, like,
it's creating my own name.
I'm always gonna be
Toni Braxton's son.
But Denim Braxton I want
that to mean something as well.
You know what I mean?
I get it.
Thank you again, Mom.
Love you.
I love you too.
I'm your mom, so I'm not
supposed to say this out loud,
but you'll always be
my baby boy.
My oldest baby boy.Oldest.
Not baby, just oldest.
Ohh!
I can't believe how mature and
independent Denim is right now.
I'm so proud.
Obviously he doesn't want
my management help.
He wants to prove he can be
his own man.
What mother could be mad
at that?
You just kiss them
and let them live their lives.
You're making moves.Mm-hmm.
Can we go get something
to eat?Yeah.
What do you want to eat?Mr. Chows.
Right?
♪♪
I'm Tez.
I'm a healer.
I do crossing over,
where I get to connect
with people that have passed on.
If there's anything
you'd like to say to her?
Yeah.
Um, I have a lot of regret.
[Sighs]
♪♪
I feel like this year has been
the hardest year.
You have to give yourself
permission
to do what's best
for you.
♪♪
Towanda: They were FaceTiming,
and then the phone blacked out.
♪♪
Miss E:
Make sure I'm right,
'cause, you know, I'm trying to
catch my children a stepdaddy.
♪♪
I don't know if I should trust
my daughters trying
to find me a date.
But Toni found somebody, and I
did not have to look very hard
to figure out who my date was.
This has to be him.
Let me check it out.
♪♪
Well!
Well, good afternoon.
How you doing?
Good afternoon!
I'm fine.
How are you?
I go to Newport.
Okay.
Sounds good to me.
Have a seat.
Thank you.
He was a nice height.
I like them taller,
but at our age, we shrink.
Everything on was purple,
but if that's what he wants to
do, all righty, then.
What is your name?Shellie. Shellie Christian.
Oh, okay. Okay.
Evelyn Braxton.
You know, I didn't know that.You didn't know that?
No, I didn't!
[Both laugh]
I'm gonna tell you right now.
I like to have fun.
I'm a good jokester, soThat's okay. That's okay.Me too.
I'm a typical
I just eat regular food.
Give me a hamburger
orlobster, you know?
But all these Italian dishes
on here.
I don't eat spaghetti.
Wow.
As men get older,
they're not gonna change.
They're just who they are
baby girls and baby boys.
They're not gonna really change.
Give me a little insight
about you.
Like get back to
when you were a kid.
Well, I got married
when I was 2.
I had my oldest child
when I was 3.
[Laughing] I like that.I got divorced when I was 10.
Uh, I had six kids,
and the rest is history.
I'm not gonna complain at all,
you know?
Yeah, I know
that's right.
I would think there'd be
a million men
knocking on your door,
trying to get to take you out.
How I got to be chosen?
Maybe the men
that knocked on my door
maybe I just
didn't answer.
Um
Black folk food?
Yeah.
Just give me
the chicken sandwich.
And for you?
I think I'll have
the same thing.
But anyway.
Well, give me some more
about you.
me, myself, and I.
I've been horseback riding.
I eat cabbage, and I eat
spinach, you know?
I was in Tyler Perry's
first two movies.
I've been in
quite a few fashion shows.
Mm-hmm.
I'm not a wallflower,
you know?
I see.
It's my understanding
that your daughter set you up.
My daughter
It may
or may not be true.
You ain't getting off
Those are some big fries.
Dear God!
Thank you.Server: You're welcome.
What kind of fries
are these?
Okay. It's all right.Enjoy.
Thank you.
Thank you.
But don't know.
All I heard was the "yuca,"
you know?
[Both laughing]
Um
♪♪
I think that for someone
else, he would be great.
For me?
No.
I'm gonna have her wrap this
for me.
We both will.Yeah.
[Laughs]
It was a nice gathering,
but I didn't see any need
for exchanging numbers.
[Laughs]
I'm waiting on somebody
to give us a cue
as to whether we can get up
or whether we're finished
or, you knowYeah.
Okay.[Laughs]
Thank you so much.
I appreciate you.
I'm out.
[Indistinct conversations]
♪♪
♪♪
I feel like this year
has been the hardest year.
Mm-hmm.
My wife, she was just like,
"Oh, yeah. I want a divorce."
I don't know
where it came from.
So, the divorce
was unexpected?
Got blindsided, actually.
I told her every day,
"I'm gonna fight for my family,"
and she'd say,
"There's nothing to fight for."
It's playing with
my emotions,
'cause I want
my family back.
You have to
give yourself permission
to do what's best
for you.
♪♪
[Indistinct conversations]
Okay.
Hey, where is he?
He's inside.Look.
So, he came out of it,
but he definitely had a seizure
and he's a little
all over the place.
Of course.
We sent the producer
to go get his medicine.
But you should go check
on him.
I am.
He's supposed to catch
his flight tonight.
I don't knowIf he's gonna be able
to do that?
You know, I'm hoping if
he gets his medicine, he's okay.
He's inside.
All right. Yeah.
Olivia called me.
They were FaceTiming.When it happened?
Yeah.
Really?
So, they were talking,
and then he started slurring,
and she's like,
"What's going on?"
And he said
he feels weird.
Yeah.
Then she said
the phone blacked out.
So, she texted me and she said,
"Kev may be having a seizure.
He isn't answering."
Yeah.
He got a lot going on.
Yeah, it's the stress.
It's stress-induced.
Yeah.
Little Kevin started getting
seizures after Traci passed.
I am thankful that production
was there with him,
because he wasn't alone
and they were able to make sure
that he was safe.
Nephew!
Kevin Jr.:
Auntie!
[Exhales deeply]
All right.
You okay?
I'm better.
Okay.
I'm better.
I'm just gonna take
my medicine more.
Yes, you do have to take
your medicine more.
I'm gonna try and call
my mom.
It's all right.
[Line ringing]
Is it okay if I tell her?
Yeah.Okay.
I was gonna tell her
anyways.
Miss E: Hey, baby girl.Hey, Mama.
Hey.
Well, I got you on speaker.
I'm with Scratchy.
Okay.He had a seizure.
Lord have mercy.
Hey, baby.
Hey, Mom-Mom.
How you feeling now?
Yeah, up there,
but on my arm.
Can we get some ice?Say it again, Mom-Mom.
How are you feeling now?
I'm okay.
I think I was just stressed.
We're gonna have to lighten
your load.
Right.
It's a lot.
It is.
It was a lot.
So we have to limit
what you're doing.
They want him to do it
twice a day.
It's 1,000 milligrams.
Don't do it once.
Do it twice a day.
No, ma'am. Production got
his medicine for him.
I'm just so nervous for him.
He's a little jittery.
Me too!
You know?
I know in between his grief
for his mom and his divorce,
there is so much
that he has suppressed,
and this is how it's coming out.
You have court?
I have court.
And when is it? Tomorrow?Tomorrow.
Is that in Maryland?
That's in Maryland.
Yes, ma'am.
But Liv did mention She
said she would reschedule it.
Yeah!Yeah.
Mommy, I'm gonna call
his wife now
to see if she can postpone
the court.
Yeah.
Okay. Bye.
Bye.
♪♪
Yeah, that'd be the main thing,
to see if she's open to that.
You know,
going or rescheduling.
Let me ask her.
I've spoken with Kevin's ex,
Olivia.
They recommended him
not to fly tonight.
And I'm just grateful that even
with everything that's going on,
she's being understanding
and had the care to call me
when he was in trouble.
Yeah. You need to relax.Now, one good question is
being by myself
in the hotel.
You afraid to be by yourself
in the hotel?
I just You know,
just check on me.
Just check on me while I'm
in there. Just call.
Of course I am.
Are you kidding me?
You got a hundred people
that's gonna
You ain't gonna get no sleep
'cause everybody's gonna be
calling you every five minutes.
[Laughs]
♪♪
♪♪
[Indistinct conversations]
[Doorbell rings]
♪♪
Hey, hey, hey.
Miss E:Hey!
How are you?
Kevin Jr.: Okay.All righty, then.
Come on in the room.
Where you sitting?Okay.
My boy's handsome face!
How you coming along, baby?
What's up?
You seem so sullen.
What's going on?
Trina:
Little Kevin sent me a text
to say that there were some
developments on his divorce.
Divorce is hard,
and no one wins.
And I know that
from experience.
Ha!
'Cause I've been through two.
But Mommy and I
are trying to stay calm,
because little Kevin's health
is fragile as it is,
and we're here to build him up,
and that's what he needs
right now.
Yesterday was
kind of scary.
So that was a lot.
♪♪
I also got off the phone
with Liv.
She just completed
the divorce
♪♪
and took full custody
of baby Kevin.
♪♪
You can appeal.You can appeal that.
Yeah.You really can.
What about my house?
She took that too.
I'm sorry.Me too.
I'm really sorry.
It's kind of a gut punch
right now.
Yes, it is.
'Cause she told me
she was gonna reschedule it,
and she didn't do it.
So I kind of feel like
I got, like, betrayed
more than she already did.
You know what? People say
all is fair in love and war.
I can't speak for Olivia
and what she chose to do
and what she didn't choose
to do.
Sometimes when you're
going through that,
you can only see
what's happening to you.
You know, no one wins.
No one wins in a divorce.
Yeah. It's been
about 24 hours.
Yes, it has!
That's a lot, buddy.
Yeah, it's a lot.
That's a lot
for one person to go through in
such a short span of time there.
You're going to get
through this.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
You're gonna have to somehow
get with your lawyer.
You make sure you're in
that boy's life.
He needs you as a father.
♪♪
You'll be all right.
I'm gonna make sure
that I am.
Yes, you are. Why?
'Cause you're your mother's son.
Mm-hmm.
There ain't no doubt
about that.
She didn't let things
get her down.
You push her down on one end,
she bounced up on the other.
And that's who you are.
♪♪
You'll be all right.
Well, we love you very much,
and the door is always open.
I love you too.
One hundred percent
of the time.
What worries me
about little Kevin right now
is that he's in the valley
in the shadow of death.
All right.
We'll meet you downstairs.
Thank you, baby.Thank you, baby.
He cannot really find
happiness right now,
until he gets through
the valley.
And I believe it's gonna take
a while.
♪♪
Mommy's always the first one
ready to go.
She's doing her
own marketing shoot.
I don't feel connected to
this whole production again.
How are you feeling?Emotionally drained.
I can't deny it.
Toni: My nerves have been
all over the place,
thinking about my health issues
and my return to Vegas.
'Cause I'm not doing great.
Toni Braxton
and Cedric the Entertainer!
I have lupus.
I'm sorry.
I just get a little emotional.
I totally understand.Cedric: Yeah.