June 30: Braxton Walks Like An Egyptian

On this day in 2003, singer Toni Braxton returned to Broadway playing the tile role in Disney's hit stage show Aida. In this musical (featuring songs by Elton John and Tim Rice) Braxton played the ancient Egyptian Nubian princess who is captured by Radames, a captain in the Egyptian army, and falls in love with him.

Singing 13 songs a night in Aida, Braxton was no stranger to Broadway musicals as 5 years earlier she had starred in Beauty and the Beast as Belle (a first for an African-American).

On this same evening at the Palace Theatre, Aida also debuted two other lead roles - Will Chase as Radames and Mandy Gonzales as Amneris. Braxton continued the role of Aida until November 16, 2003.

Grammy Award-winning Braxton first topped the Billboard 200 back in 1993 with her self-titled debut album.

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