‘Phony Braxton’: Porsha Williams’ Stylist Compares the ‘RHOA’ Star’s New Look to Singer Toni Braxton, Causing an Uproar on Social Media

Porsha Williams’ comedic video with her stylist had fans doing a double take on Feb. 16 after the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star showcased a new look similar to Toni Braxton‘s 1993 self-titled debut album cover. The 39-year-old, who sported a slicked-back pixie cut with a white tank and blue jeans, appeared to be taking a break during a photo shoot. 

In the clip — initially posted on her stylist NolG Jeremy’s Instagram story with the caption “Phony Braxton” — Jeremy hilariously called out the reality star for being a fake version of Toni Braxton. “Introducing Phony Braxton! Porsha think she Toni Braxton.” Williams replied while laughing and shaking her head, “Leave me alone. I can’t help my hair grows out my head like this.”

Porsha Williams’ Toni Braxton-inspired look causes a commotion among fans on social media. @porsha4real

The mother of one later reposted the video to her Instagram page and showed love to the legendary R&B singer by saying “Why he get on my nerves like this !! @therealnoigjeremy 😂 PS: @tonibraxton we love you 🔥.” 

Williams wasn’t the first celebrity to be inspired by Braxton’s debut album cover. In 2018, Beyonce dressed up as the “Braxton Family Values” star for Halloween with the same moniker but spelled differently: Phoni Braxton. The “Breathe Again” vocalist reposted the images on Twitter with the caption, “Phoni Braxton!? NEVER!!! How do you look better than me on MY album cover? I LOVE IT, Such a superstar! Thanks for the love sis! Happy Halloween 🎃
Who run the world…GIRLS! GIRLS! 💃🏽💃🏼@Beyonce.”

The name Phony Braxton actually came from an episode of “Martin.”

While many fans raved over Williams’ inspired look, others played along with the recording’s theme. One follower went as far as to ask Williams to sing Braxton’s chart-topping song “Unbreak my Heart.”

Toni Braxton was known for sporting short hair in the ’90s. (Photo By JON LEVY/AFP via Getty Images)

“She’s definitely serving Toni Braxton 🔥❤️😍.”

“Tell her to sing Unbreak My Heart real quick 😭.”

“Lmao ahh not PHONYYYY BRAXTON 😩😩😂😂😭😭😭 it look like it fit to that’s the funny part lmao.”

“But why she loook soooo mf gooooooood 😍😍😍😍 damn she rocking that hairstyle! Period!!!”

“The cut looks so good on her 😍.”

The “Dish Nation” co-host debuted her pixie cut on Dec. 20 with the caption “Yep it’s all gone #BIGCHOP.” Following her big chop, Williams was being compared to celebrities who have sported a short hairdo at one time or another, including Toni Braxton, Halle Berry, and Tamron Hall.

Democracy needs journalism it can trust.

This election season, the stakes are higher than usual — and so is the pressure on newsrooms to soften their coverage, stay quiet, or just disappear. Independent reporting, the kind that answers to readers instead of advertisers or political pressure, matters more in a moment like this, not less.

For over 14 years, Atlanta Black Star has stayed independent and reader-funded. We have no corporate owner and no shareholders telling us what to cover or how to cover it. That independence is also our biggest vulnerability: nothing protects it except readers choosing to fund it directly.

Newspaper ad revenue has fallen more than 80% since 2005, and local newsrooms are closing at a rate of roughly two a week nationwide. When outlets go under in a moment like this, it's rarely the independent, reader-funded ones that get to stick around.

We know a request for support isn't why you came here. But without readers choosing to fund this work directly, the depth of reporting we can do at home and abroad shrinks along with everyone else's. If you're not in a position to give, that doesn't change how much we value you as a reader.

If you are able to, a recurring contribution does more for us than a single one-time gift, because it lets us plan the next investigation instead of just the next invoice. It takes about 30 seconds, no long form, no account. Thank you for continuing to support independent journalism and freedom of the press.

Back to top