Toni Braxton opens up in first interview since sister Traci's death: 'She had so much love'

Toni Braxton has opened up about how she is coping with the sudden loss of her younger sister Traci.

The Un-Break My Heart singer spoke publicly for the first time since Traci's death in a tearful interview on Tamron Hall, revealing she is still struggling to accept it.

"I wake up every morning and I go, 'Did I dream it? Did I dream it?' and I have to remind myself 'No, she's gone but she's been here with us for 50 years,'" Toni, 54, said.

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"So I try to relish in that moment and try to smile about it and just be grateful for the time you have and you have to always remember to be kind to one another."

Toni spoke about her unbreakable bond with Traci, who died at age 50 on March 12 following a battle with oesophageal cancer.

She said their sibling rivalry was strong during their childhood but described her as being more like her twin than a sister.

"We're sisters, we're always gonna fight. That's what sisters do, OK, it's a rite of passage to fuss and fight but in the end, we're always there," she continued, revealing they were "more than sisters", instead "like twins".

"We're just very fortunate to have had my sister with us for as long as we did."

Traci's last day on earth was spent with her beloved husband and son by her side, Toni said. She died after spending her final moments in a hospice.

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She added: "She had so much love. The hospice nurses were incredible. You never think that it's going to happen to you and your family."

Toni announced the news of her sister's death via a statement on Instagram, with a black-and-white photo of herself with the Braxton siblings Tamar, Trina, Towanda and Traci.

"It is with the utmost regret that we inform you of the passing of our sister, Traci," she wrote.

"Needless to say, she was a bright light, a wonderful daughter, an amazing sister, a loving mother, wife, grandmother and a respected performer. We will miss her dearly."

"Traci passed this morning as the snow was falling, our angel is now a snowflake. We ask that you respect our privacy as we plan to send her home with love, celebrating her life," she added. "We are family forever."

Like her famous sister, Traci was also a singer and released her second studio album, 'On Earth', in 2018.