Tamar Braxton Bravely and Emotionally Discusses Previous Abusive Relationship

by Neisha Washington


On Tuesday’s episode of talk show The Real, Tamar Braxton revealed that she had been in a physically and emotionally abusive relationship. The singer and reality star spoke of how a relationship prior to her 2008 marriage to Vince Herbert took an ugly turn.


Tamar stated, “He used to make me feel so bad about having dreams and goals… and because of that he used to beat me down, mentally and physically.”

Tamar stresses how getting to know herself first and learning about what was acceptable and unacceptable behavior in a relationship would have spared her much pain. “The only reason he got away with it was because I did not know who I was,” the youngest member of the Braxton clan explained.

The star became emotional recounting the memories revealing, “I didn’t know any better… that the first time things started to look so gray and so damper, it was time to go.”

So often, women who are currently in or have previously been in abusive relationships are ashamed to speak up, because of how they think others will view them, in addition to being afraid of their partners. In a study from the Institute of Domestic Violence in the African American Community, it was reported that African American women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at rates 35% higher than white women, and African American women also account for almost 1 of 3 IPV-related homicides, a disproportionately high number.

Tamar sharing her experience will hopefully serve as inspiration for other women to speak up and speak out against intimate partner violence, and seek the help they need to get out of their relationship. She also highlighted the importance of truly loving oneself, so as to not let others mistreat, disrespect, and violate you in any situation.

We are appreciative that Tamar shared such a personal story, and are glad that she made it through such a tough time to become the star we love to watch today.





And if you or someone you know needs support in leaving or healing from an abusive relationship, you can seek out help from the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (or 800-799-7233).

Neisha Washington is a DePauw University alum, graduate student, and regular contributor to For Harriet.