The Serious Medical Condition That Toni Braxton Lives With

Toni Braxton has been one of R&B's biggest superstars since the 1990s. She broke into the music scene when she was discovered at a gas station by songwriter Bill Pettaway, per Biography. He helped Braxton and her four sisters sign a deal with Arista Records, which later got her noticed by producers Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. Braxton signed a new deal with Arista's second label, LaFace Records and her solo career eventually took off.

Braxton found her lucky break when she was asked to sing a song for the "Boomerang" soundtrack. The following year, she released her first album that included her hit songs "Another Sad Love Song" and "Breathe Again." Braxton would go on to release several more albums and have a successful acting career as well. Amid her success, there was one health issue that the "Un-Break My Heart" singer was battling and she finally opened up about it years later.

During the 8th Annual Lupus LA Bag Ladies Luncheon in 2010, Toni Braxton took the stage to accept the Women in Achievement award, per Billboard. She revealed to the audience that she had been living with the autoimmune disease and stated, "Today I'm going to talk about it because I'm a survivor and I'm here, and I don't want to lose hope ... Take a look — this is what lupus looks like."

According to Mayo Clinic, those who have lupus have an immune system that attacks healthy tissue, which can affect the heart, kidneys, brain, and joints. Braxton opened up about living with her disease in her reality show "Braxton Family Values," and broke the news to her family in an episode (via Daily Mail). The singer was also shown speaking to doctors about her illness while receiving a check-up. She later shared that doing the reality show was like a "therapy session" for her and despite living with a chronic disease, she eventually learned how to live with lupus.

Toni Braxton was diagnosed with lupus in 2008 after a health scare landed her in the emergency room, per Prevention. The doctors told her she needed a heart transplant, which thankfully she ended up not needing. "I was petrified, depressed, and scared, but I realized I had to change my life. I may have lupus, but I decided I was not going to be a victim. Now, I listen to my body."

Braxton had to change her lifestyle in order to manage her disease. She switched her diet to a mostly plant-based one, despite her love of meat. "It's making me feel better ... But I do miss a good burger!" she shared. The singer also discovered CBD as a way to alleviate pain, which inspired her to partner with a brand called Uncle Bud's. "I tried CBD for the first time and it was the only thing that worked for me. It took my pain away right away. I was able to be active again, and that's when I knew I needed to start a brand that everyone could access, that's affordable, and a brand that's trusted," she told Insider.

These days, Braxton is focusing on her acting career and is starring in the "Fallen Angels Murder Club" Lifetime movie series, per Shondaland. Between her healthy lifestyle and knowing when to take it easy, Braxton is proving she can still be a force, despite living with lupus.