Social media is abuzz with rumors about Toni Braxton and her seemingly lighter complexion. These rumors not only concern the famous R&B singer, but also extend to her son Gene Cole Braxton-Lewis, who is supposedly going through a similar transition.
Many online speculate that the two lightened their skin after looking at old photos. Social media users began to compare the face of the artist who recorded “Breathe Again” and her last appearance in the photograph. Observers say the multiple Grammy winner's appearance has changed over three decades, especially when looking at changes in skin tone from her debut album to her latest photos in 2024.
But Braxton can't shy away from comments like "brown skin is beautiful" or comments about her "very light" skin.
Those who took a closer look at her 22-year-old son's social media page also said they noticed a change in his appearance. Fans say that just two or three years ago, especially during his collaboration with his brother Diesel as a model for the Diesel brand, jeans seemed significantly darker.
The singer shares both children with her ex-husband Carey Lewis of Mint Condition. When asked if they thought the denim was intentionally lightweight, most online commenters overwhelmingly thought yes. The debate now revolves around the methods that can be used to achieve a lighter skin tone.
"Sure, check his knees," one person wrote on Lipstick Alley. "I'm surprised you even use a bleaching cream because rich people often get intravenous glutathione injections to lighten their skin."
Glutathione IV is a powerful agent that detoxifies the body and brightens skin tone. Others suggested that the entire family was "colored" and hated their brown skin.
But this isn't the first time people have claimed that the Braxton family is obsessed with glowing skin. In 2012, many claimed that Braxton's younger sister Tamar Braxton's skin had become lighter over time. Tamar later explained that she actually has vitiligo, a disease that reduces the amount of melanin in the skin.
The "Love and War" singer addressed rumors that she is bleaching her skin during an interview with Bossip.
"If you really think about it, we did 'Braxton Family Values' for two years, then we did 'Tamar and Vince' and now we're doing 'Braxton Family Values' again," he said. year 2012.
Some fans argue that the skin lightening claims are unsubstantiated and do not take into account health issues that may be causing the change in appearance.
“But where is the evidence?” The man wrote. “You mean everything is whitewashed. "This is strange behavior."
In response, one wrote: "Well, I was the one who suggested other reasons why the star looked dull, but the paleness of her face is suspicious."
“Are there medical conditions that cause your skin to do this?”
Aside from Braxton's systemic lupus erythematosus, which can cause rashes and lightening, the contralto has not shared any medical reasons for her skin breakouts.
Additionally, Jeans did not disclose that he had a skin condition.
The three Braxton sisters aren't the only celebrities accused of trying to whiten their skin. Lil' Kim, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, K. Michelle and others also did the same, but in many of these cases, the artists, their publicists or photographers claimed that they used some filter or lighting to achieve a lighter skin tone.