Almost 20 years ago singer and reality TV star Toni Braxton took home her very first Grammy award and walked out that evening with two trophies in hand. She won the best new artist and best female R&B vocal performance categories and was all smiles.
The Braxton Family Values star, 46, recently reminisced with PEOPLE about that evening and offered advice for this year’s nominees—her sister’s one of them.
“I’m not going to the Grammys this year, but I’m excited about my sister Tamar being nominated, and I know she’s going to win,” Braxton said.
Tamar Braxton is nominated for a trio of honors including “Best R&B Performance” and “Best R&B Song” for the hit single “Love and War”, while her debut full-length album, Love and War, is vying for “Best Urban Contemporary Album”.
Braxton was asked about her fondest memories of her big night in 1994. “It was surreal,” she said. “I felt like I was dreaming. I couldn’t believe that I was actually part of the A-group. They were accepting me. That was exciting.”
In the female R&B category Braxton beat out greats Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin and Janet Jackson. “I remember feeling very blessed and fortunate,” Braxton added. “I should’ve celebrated the moment. I always tell young artists, when it’s your moment, celebrate it. Don’t miss it. Party a little bit. Be young. Get in a little trouble. It’s okay. You want to do that in your 20s, not in your 40s. That’s not hot.”
Expect to hear more from the typically private star in May when she will release her first tell-all memoir.
Who are you rooting for at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night?