American Idol - What Was Up With Toni Braxton?

The American Idol 5 finale proved to be one of the most star-studded American Idol finales ever.  While Prince showed up as a surprise guest and performed two songs, it’s actually another star’s performance that has American Idol viewers buzzing.  Or perhaps, the better description might be lack of performance. Toni Braxton joined Taylor Hicks on stage for a duet of “In The Ghetto.” 

However, for much of the song, Toni Braxton’s voice was barely audible and her lips often seemed to out of sync with the words of the song.  Some viewers have been speculating that she either forgot the words of the song and tried to cover it up by letting out the occasional “whooo” or she was merely doing a poor job of lip syncing the entire song.  Another possible explanation circulating is that she might have been having microphone problems. 

Whatever the reason, Toni Braxton delivered the most bizarre performance of the night.  At one point during the song, Braxton also grabbed Taylor Hicks' hand, pulled it forward, and appeared to start rubbing it on her hip.  The surprise move by Braxton looked to have caught Hicks completely off-guard.  It might have not have been so surprising on another song, but the subject matter of "In The Ghetto" hardly lent itself to sexy dance moves.  Some American Idol message board posters are also speculating that producers cut the duet short due to Toni’s lack of vocals and sexy dance moves. 

Reality TV Magazine is your source for American Idol news.  For other great American Idol news, please also check out SirLinksALot: American Idol or SirLinksALot: Taylor Hicks.

Comments

[brigette]

She's a gutter skank-ho, what do you expect?

[Bolo]

I think Toni Braxton was drunk, she was all over the place, singing way too low and not in time and lounging all around randomly as well. It was embarrasing.

[Tammy]

I am glad to see this mentioned.....I was wondering what was up with her too! I am normally a Toni fan, but this time I felt she brought the performance down. Not only could I not hear her at times, but when I could....it didnt seem to fit....and what the heck with all the sexy stuff in that song??? SOOOO not appropriate. Glad to hear it wasnt just me thinking she was just WAY off tonight.

[Meg Francisco]

Thank you for bringing this up. I thought Taylor Hicks was such a gentleman not to pursue the sexy moves suggested by Ms. Braxton.

Both the celebrity singer and director failed us on this duet. How insensitive it was to be acting sexy while singing this song. Hicks sang it beautifully on Elvis week.

Thank you.

What the H**L was up with that? The one who decided to put her on there should be fired! Would have like to had her blood tested to see what kind of drugs she was on! Guess she didn't look in the mirror before she went on stage! That was pathetic as I am sure Taylor was thinking "GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!" poor guy!

[Leo]

Whatever! I thought Toni was fabulous!... its soo obvious that you guys are the same pathetic lot! thats doing all the hating on the American Idol message boards!!..
Enough with all the hating! Geeze!
Toni doesn't need to prove to anyone that she can sing! She has one of the best voices in the industry!... this whole article is a pathetic attempt to get noticed!.. how sad..

[barb]

Having watched the entire show and therefore scrutinizing every move (it happens when you get involved week after week), it hit me immediately that there was something desperately wrong with Toni's mike. I dont know much about microphones but it seemed the audience loved the performance yet viewers had no idea what she was saying or singing as she was inaudible. If there had been a overlay on her actual live voice, i think we viewers only heard that. I felt sorry for her. They rehearse like crazy and i dont think her moves were surprise moves...she always performs like that. Her mike was a mess..she will probably sue them for faulty acoustics. barb

[Simon]

I tivo'd the show last night and watched her several times. It seemed to me pretty obvious that she forget every word and was making good disguising sounds instead. It appeared to me that Taylor picked up on this and finished the remainder of the song.

[Holly]

That was Toni Braxton? I thought it was Ru Paul!

[Laura]

She lacks anything remotely resembling class. One can hope for an apology in the light of day but don't hold your breath.

[Dean]

It was sooo obvious that she didn't know the words (although to her credit, she knew the melody)...It could have been her mike. But, no!! This is a classic case of someone clearly addicted to DRUGS...Maybe pain killers, who knows for sure. But I guarentee anyone out there that Ms. Braxton was flying high!!!

[JoJo]

Come on people the show was not about Toni Braxton the show was about Taylor and Katherine and who would be the next American Idol. No one is perfect not even Toni Braxton who are we to judge and critique her on one performancce when we all know that she is a talented singer. I have to give Toni Braxton her credit she is mother of 2 and she is dealing with a heart conditon and she didnt let that stop her from comming on and doing her show. I wonder if any of the haters on here have done a better job and look that good at the same time I think not. Some one mentioned on here that there are too many haters out there and I would have to agree with that statement always trying to find the negative in things instead of a postive. Look at yourself before you judge others!!!

[Belle]

I think she was hanging out in Paula's dressing room before the show. They shared their pain killers and booze.

Disgusting Performance, but at least we got to see the true class that Taylor has.

[Debbie]

Big time lack of practice on Braxton's part. She didn't know the words and made strange sounds. Taylor pulled it out though. Meatloaf's performance startled me too, I don't know if it's his age, weight or drugs previously consumed but his voice wasn't the fine instrument it was 20 years ago. I thought Kat did agood job with what she had to work with on that song.

Sorry JoJo but the show was NOT about Taylor and Kat. Which is too bad! It seemed to be about everyone else and not them. I think they both got the short end of the stick on that one. It seemed to me that the thing we were suppose to be celebrating, Taylor winning, was over shadowed by everything and everyone else.

[Treetop]

It's not hating to say there was something obviously wrong with Toni Braxton's performance. I can't pinpoint exactly what the issue was, but she did look/sound to be struggling with the words, whether that was because of microphone issues or not, I'm not sure. But I agree with Debbie that both finalists pressed on to give a decent performance themselves despite having been paired with celebrities who were not exactly showing they were in the prime of their career. I also applaud AI for putting together such a star-studded finale, even if all the stars didn't shine. I thought Chris actually sounded better than Live's lead singer, overall the performance made me question the idea of having two male singers doing a duet. For a totally male rock band, there seemed to be a lack of testosterone present.

[Tony]

"I have to give Toni Braxton her credit she is mother of 2 and she is dealing with a heart conditon and she didnt let that stop her from comming on and doing her show."

Save it! You'll get no sympathy from this group.

[Simon]

"I have to give Toni Braxton her credit she is mother of 2 and she is dealing with a heart conditon and she didnt let that stop her from comming on and doing her show."

What has that got to do with her coming on the #1 show in the country and forgeting EVERY word of the song?
She messed up, thats that.

[Tony]

"She messed up, thats that."

Yes, and that makes her a gutter skank-ho.

She's hot.

[Z-man]

She blows Katherine McPhee away in any matchup-vocal talent, looks, moves, wardrobe.

[Barbara]

I think she owes Taylor, the show and the viewers an apology. Yes, she is a big star and normally I love her performances. However, we all know she is good and can overlook one bad performance, but for the contestents, this is their big night. Her actions show a total disrespect for them and for the viewers. She had to be drunk or on drugs. Taylor did a great job of making the best of a bad situation. Too sad. It gave me a totally different view of her and I doubt that I will spend money on another CD by her. I have no respect for someone that would come on to a show and mess up a song for an aspiring singer.

[ron]

is there anyone know what is Al Jarreau's song he sang along with Paris last night?

[Matt]

I'm kind of surprised no one has caught this, but it was pretty clear what was happening - she was supposed to be lip syncing, and they didn't play her backing track, so all that was left was her lip syncing. When people lip sync they tend to sing quietly along out of tune, putting emphasis on certain syllables so it looks like they are singing along and it adds slight realism to the backing track. That was the cause of the strange sounds she was making, and why the mic was perfect at the very end for her "woo!", when she thought the song was over and knew everyone could hear her. She clearly didn't know the backing track wasn't playing, so it must have been playing in her ear monitor, just not for the audience or TV feed.

If anyone can say nothing was wrong with tony you all must be sharing the same stuff she was on.Tony is one of the greatest female artsit of all time but Last night was so awful that like someone else said it decreased the value of the show.

Taylor is a great performer and pulled it off leaving Tony with some pride.If you are sick or tired becasue of her kids you should stay at home some things are more important than giving a bad performace that would hurt your career

If anyone can say nothing was wrong with tony you all must be sharing the same stuff she was on.Tony is one of the greatest female artist of all time but Last night was so awful that ,like someone else said ,it decreased the value of the show.

Taylor is a great performer and pulled it off leaving Tony with some pride.If you are sick or tired because of her kids you should stay at home some things are more important than giving a bad performance that would hurt your career

Kat didn't perform well to me Paris and the other girls STOLE the show from her.She was loking like it was her first time when the other girls were on the stage.I could hear all the girls and tell who was who when they were singing from Paris to Mandisa to Lisa but I never heard Kat.She is a good singer but not a star

[Bev]

At our house we sure got a kick out of Taylor and Toni's performance! My son thought she was wearing a night gown, but when she grabbed Taylor's hand and started rubbing it on her hip, my husband said, "I think they're singing 'In the Get Ho'." That was a very disjointed performance, to say the least! HAHA

[Paula]

The point is--she was gyrating to IN. THE. GHETTO. Period

[barb]

so now, much like ashley simpson, the braxton/lip synching fiasco will regenerate interest in her which may be a good thing in her case as i havent heard a toni braxton anything for years and years(have you?). the janet jackson thing didnt hurt her either.

[Judy C]

Bottom line...Toni Braxton was awful and Taylor saved both her and the song. I would have preferred to see Taylor sing the song alone than have it ruined by some guest "star". Taylor is a class act and Toni Braxton just embarrassed herself on national TV.

[Tony]

So, I guess Ron's explanation makes no sense?

[JackBauer]

What's Ron asking about Al Jareau's song got to do with anything, Tony?

[Tony]

My bad. I meant Matt.

"I'm kind of surprised no one has caught this, but it was pretty clear what was happening - she was supposed to be lip syncing, and they didn't play her backing track, so all that was left was her lip syncing. When people lip sync they tend to sing quietly along out of tune, putting emphasis on certain syllables so it looks like they are singing along and it adds slight realism to the backing track. That was the cause of the strange sounds she was making, and why the mic was perfect at the very end for her "woo!", when she thought the song was over and knew everyone could hear her. She clearly didn't know the backing track wasn't playing, so it must have been playing in her ear monitor, just not for the audience or TV feed."

Matt

[Tammy]

The final two should be paired up with artists who not only perform in the same genre, but have had a hit in let's say, oh...the last 20 years...does anyone care about meatball or brax? When did anyone last buy music from either of them? What an insult to pair the Idols with washed up, faded out has-beens.

[Christine]

The audience has every right to "judge" performers. Performers have an obligation to give it all they've got. Braxton should have stayed home if her life is so complicated and stressful that it prevents her from performing. She wanted that moment in front of 30,000,000 people and she was even willing to take it away from Taylor. She's pathetic and owes Taylor, AI, and AI fans an apology.

[Andrea]

I love Toni Braxton and who knows what was on her mind with the performance. I personally do not think her performance is as bad as everyone makes it seem to be. So STOP hating on her.

"When did anyone last buy music from either of them? "

I did! Tony Braxton's 2005 CD Libra. It is excellent!

[Dionne]

Tammy,I agree with you 100%. When Toni Braxton first came out, she looked as though the song was for her to sing. How can you act and dance, like you're making love to yourself to "In the Ghetto" song. Then she wanted Taylor to rub onto her hip...didn't make since to me. I don't care if she is a mother to a litter of puppies.

What it is, is that she is trying to hard for a comeback. I know thats her style...but it was overboard.

[Dionne]

Taylor did a good job in taking over Toni's bad proformance. It has nothing to do with hating her,or that she is good looking and a mother....her proformance sucked. Toni, don't over do it the next time you proform on stage.

Acting like your'e making love to yourself should stay in the bedroom with you husband...we don't want to see that.

[Renee']

Toni Braxton was horrible.She made a mockery out of a very sad song.Plus you couldn't hear her or understand her.I guess she's changed her mind and men can do something for her.She was trashy!! Total gutter tramp!!

[Dawn]

Elvis dead corps, should had rub onto Toni Braxton's hip...then she turns around to see Elvis smacking her around the stage,because of her bad proformance.

[Carl A. Johnson]

Toni Braxton was incredible. She has to be sexy no matter what song she is singing, she can't help it. That dress was perfect for her. Taylor should have felt great being on-stage with her.

[Marissa]

I normally love Toni Braxton, but last night was horrible. Here it is again in case you disagree. http://www.toni-online.com/

[Dom]

I'd like to say Idol put on a great show. I think Taylor Hicks and Katharine Mcphee are both stars. Taylor is definetly unique, a one of a kind. Katharine reminds me of a young Linda Ronstadt. I'd go to see them in concert. As far as Toni Braxton is concerned. I've heard her songs, but never seen her before. So not to be hateful. But she looked like a transvestite.......very odd performance........ just being honest

[sarah]

b5 should have been in her place

It did not matter who Taylor sang with last night he out-sung them all! Toni reminded me a lot of Katherine. Loss of lyrics and a lil provacative on stage.

[lovetaylor]

well, the toni braxton thing was pitiful. is she so stupid that she didn't know what the song was about? what a lame excuse for a singer. looks like she needs to be in a las vegas lounge rubbing on all of the drunk people.

[Al]

SO THAT WE CAN FINALLY PUT ALL OF THIS NEGATIVITY TO AN END - I was physically present backstage and want to put an end to all the speculation. Yes, there were microphone problems that hadn't been resolved in rehearsal earlier that day. Also, during rehearsals on Monday (at 5 PM, after waiting 2 hours for Burt Bacharach to work out his changes in the medley with the Idol finalists), the producers STAGED Toni and Taylor to stand with her back to his front and his arm around her waist. He never looked comfortable with the stance and the producers actually made fun of him in front of everyone present about not wanting to hold Toni Braxton, of all people. It was unfair of them to do this publicly and he didn't look all that amused with the comments. The song was intentionally that short - they decided in rehearsals that the song went on too long for the time limits of the show. Toni was not on drugs, she was perfectly lovely to everyone backstage. I hope everyone stops such negative speculation now - it's undeserved, especially when the lack of sound was not her fault.

i don't think that wise-ass crack about Paula Abdul was called for. You don't have her medical condition so you sit there, judge her and mock her?

My Mother was in an accident about 5 years ago and has been on very strong medication (and had 2 ops since). Without her meds, she wouldn't even be able to walk. For a couple of hours every day, her words are slurred and her movements uncoordinated.

It is painful when you see someone you love suffering like that, especially when you can't help them. But you have to admire them for just getting up every day.

I like Paula. Not because of her whacky comments or her dance steps. I remember each AI, the contestants will say how encouraging and supportive she was, how she cried when they cried etc. I think that's very lovely of her.

[Paula R.]

I was not impressed with Toni last night but maybe there was some technical difficulty. But her movements were, to me, inappropriate for the song itself. Katherine did a wonderful job with her songs, as usual, and is a true star. There were so many songs to learn. I like the comment made on the board about her reminding one of a young Linda Ronstadt. I agree. I understand that Meatloaf has Parkinson's hence his jerky movements. For anyone calling any of the guest performers washed up has-beens -you need to get a clue as to what the public has liked through the years and still does. To put it in perspective - don't forget that someday Taylor will be a washed up has-been too.

The whole skit with Picklar was overdone and I saw nothing funny about her corn pone personality . After seeing her previously in her sexy school prom dress, it makes me wonder just how much of her attempt at naivity is an act. It was a good plug for Puck though.
-Paula R.

OK Al....we believe you...wink wink

In other related news. Toni Braxton gave Ace a private lap dance back stage.

[john]

I have met toni before and know her demeanor well enough. She was messed up and trying to cover it up any way she coould. I teas a desperate attempt to cover her lack of preparedness, for an otherwise smart and talented performer. Bad move on her part, poor choices to cover her shortcommings that night. Oh well at least Taylor was professional enough to go with it. The rest of the show was brilliant, especially Elliot and MJB on "One".

[Tevo]

Y'all need perspective.

Braxton's mike wasn't working properly.

Inappropriate moves for the song? In The Ghetto was sung to fame by Elvis Presley. Rich, drug-addled Elvis Presley. Singing about life in the ghetto. Which is more inappropriate? But I'm not going to make a big deal out of that. So get a grip.

The audience has every right to "judge" performers. Performers have an obligation to give it all they've got. Braxton should have stayed home if her life is so complicated and stressful that it prevents her from performing. She wanted that moment in front of 30,000,000 people and she was even willing to take it away from Taylor. She's pathetic and owes Taylor, AI, and AI fans an apology.

I totally agree with you Tammy. The audience, the fans are the ones that keep celeb's career going so I think we have every right to speak our opinions. For being a family show that many young children watch, it was a disgusting performance. I was very happy to see Taylor have some class and back away from her.

The audience has every right to "judge" performers. Performers have an obligation to give it all they've got. Braxton should have stayed home if her life is so complicated and stressful that it prevents her from performing. She wanted that moment in front of 30,000,000 people and she was even willing to take it away from Taylor. She's pathetic and owes Taylor, AI, and AI fans an apology.

I totally agree with you Tammy. The audience, the fans are the ones that keep celeb's career going so I think we have every right to speak our opinions. For being a family show that many young children watch, it was a disgusting performance. I was very happy to see Taylor have some class and back away from her.

[maz]

i think she was hot, and she was dressed in an amazing way, however i think there was a mic problem, never-the-less she s an amazing woman

[Craig Gordon]

Toni Braxton is a queen of R&B and for most,one of the most beautifullest female performerces alive.
I've seen the show, and was blown away.
And I mean if she felt like to strut her sexy body and thus she have one,then don't player hate.
The women was born to perform.

[Craig Gordon]

Toni Braxton is a queen of R&B and for most,one of the most beautifullest female performerces alive.
I've seen the show, and was blown away.
And I mean if she felt like to strut her sexy body and thus she have one,then don't player hate.
The women was born to perform.
And that grey headed ful should thank the GODS for such a merical.
I can only dream for such one day.

[Alan]

"Inappropriate moves for the song? In The Ghetto was sung to fame by Elvis Presley. Rich, drug-addled Elvis Presley. Singing about life in the ghetto. Which is more inappropriate? But I'm not going to make a big deal out of that. So get a grip."

Firstly, although Elvis was rich and drug-addled, he wasn't clueless enough about the lyrics of the song to do any pelvic thrusts to "In the Ghetto." And you ARE making a big deal out of it, John. Why else would you post it?

Don't forget - Elvis grew up dirt poor, so he knew what he was singing about.

[DeShawn]

Okay, really I have to say people are talking more about Toni than Taylor, good for her, she getting some press, weather good or bad, she needs it. It was sooo obvious that Toni's mic was not working, but Toni knew the words, that is her style of performing, no one can ever understand Toni, but it was planned in the rehersal, but if poor lil' ole Taylor can't handle Toni, then he not have a career. The whole thing was REHEARSED PEOPLE, so stop hating on Toni and go buy her new album "Libra" and go see her at The Flamingo in Las Vegas, starting Aug. 3, 2006 and running through Mar. of 2007.

[Leo]

Thank you lovetaylor.. for setting the record str8!.. Taylor himself have said what am amazing performer Toni Braxton was.... so as for all this negativity... and hating! no one cares!!... and the person who posted a link to the Toni Braxton site in this "BLOG".. just to drag all this crap to the Toni site... you made a very big mistake!!!!

[Rich Hartley]

Has anyone heard that negative publicity brings a person back into the lime light? Toni Braxton is an amazing singer, what happened on the final show, simply happened nothing anyone can do to change it. Thus leaving everyone to accept it. I could do no better. Not saying whether it was a good or bad preformance, it just was. In my opinion her preformance was indeed entertaining or we would not be talking about it.
We are all entitled to our opinions, thank god for that.

She owes no one an apology. It wasn't one of her better performances and thats the end of it.

[Sarah H.]

If Toni Braxton is "oh so great" then she sure wasn't on Wednesday night. Regardless to what she's going through in her personal life, shouldn't her career (if she even has one anymore) be seperate. That's what celebraties complain about all the time right. She may have looked good but having a little bit of class always helps. Poor Taylor ... HEY THAT'S A JACK JOHNSON SONG! :-D Anyways Katherine definitely has more talent than Ms. Toni B. At least she didn't have to lip sync. Yeah I caught the Mc Pheever so what! :-p

LEAVE TONI BRAXTON ALONE! Geez.

I was pretty horrified by Toni Braxton. I agree that she is talented; I agree that she has a great voice. None of her talent was in evidence that night, and she embarrassed Taylor tremendously. The sexy moves on a song about poverty were inexcusable, especially since some people thought Taylor, by association, was as clueless as Toni was.

[Tony]

"Anyways Katherine definitely has more talent than Ms. Toni B."

GET OFF THE DRUGS AND CHECK IN TO A REHAB CENTER. TO LATE, YOU ARE TO FAR GONE.