Dancing with the Stars: Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton has won six Grammy awards and has sold over forty million records worldwide. This American singer-songwriter and actress also holds the second biggest single by a female artist ever. What else? She is also a contestant on the current season of Dancing with the Stars! Keep reading to find the advantages and disadvantages Toni Braxton has over her competitors in the Dancing with the Stars 2008 season.

Was her choice to participate on Dancing with the Stars a good one?

Prior to the start of the 2008 season of dancing with the stars, Toni Braxton came down with a heart problem known as coronary microvascular angina. People with this heart problem tend to suffer from intense pain when doing strenuous exercise.

The constant rehearsing and training required of all contestants on Dancing with the Stars easily qualifies as strenuous. Will this affect her performance? So far, she has easily been one of the top rated dancers.

After hearing about her heart problem, Toni initially planned to take the year off to rest and recover. She later changed her mind, believing she had healed enough to at least make it through five weeks of rehearsal.

Dealing with her microvascular angina is not the first time Toni Braxton has had to fight with heart disease. In 2004, Toni experienced a case of pericarditis, which is the inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart.

Toni is taking a positive look on things, stating that, "I am hoping this motivates people that are going through heart issues, I don't mind being a pioneer."

How did Toni transition into Dancing with the Stars?

Before the season started, Toni admits that she was nervous. "To be honest . . . the adrenaline gets pumping. I am a little nervous how my heart is going to feel. And second, am I going to remember my steps because I am so worried about my heart?"

After her last three performances, it seems that Toni has overcome her fear, scoring well on each dance and surviving each Dancing with the Stars results show.

Does Toni have an edge over her competition?

Toni is no stranger to performing. Singers have seemed to have done well in past seasons. Although used to being on stage, most of her performances include singing slow songs, without a lot of dancing. The fast paced dancing on Dancing with the Stars will definitely be a stretch for her. Luckily, aside from her heart issue, she is in good shape, and is eager to learn with each upcoming weak. Does she have an edge? Not in my opinion, she'll have to fight hard to make it to the finals.

Who is her partner?

Toni is partnered up with Season one winner Alec Mazo. He has been dancing ever since he was five years old. He currently runs the largest youth ballroom dance studio in California.

Watch Toni Braxton and her partner Alec Mazo amaze and dazzle on Dancing with the stars every Monday night at 8/7c.