Toni Braxton Engaged

By Stephen M. Silverman

10/08/1997 at 12:00 AM EDT

"Breathe Again" singer Toni Braxton, 34, has announced her engagement to musician Keri Lewis, age not revealed, of the group Mint Condition, and they plan to marry sometime next year. The two reportedly met in 1997, when Braxton was on tour and Mint Condition served as the opening act. Her previous personal relationship was with Curtis Martin, reported PEOPLE, and in 1998 the singer declared bankruptcy, a move perceived by some observers as a tactic to dissolve her relationship with her record company, from which she had sought legal release on grounds of a low royalty rate.