Braxton shows she's woman enough at Grammys

Toni Braxton was this year’s Jennifer Lopez of Grammy fashion.

"I figured before I get married and get pregnant, this is my moment to let it all go," Toni Braxton said of her gown by Richard Tyler. Associated Press

Braxton presented an award in a barely there white gown by Richard Tyler. Her halter top with plunging V-neck led into two thin panels of fabric held together by a wide silver belt.

From the side, the dress exposed Braxton’s legs and buttocks.

"It took me three days to look like this, so any talk, I’m always flattered," said Braxton, who said she worked out for 20 minutes on a treadmill yesterday and drank water to fit into the dress.

Backstage, Braxton said she used double-stick tape to hold the dress in place.

"I’m a jean and T-shirt girl, but this is great to get dressed up," she said. "I figured before I get married (in April) and get pregnant, this is my moment to let it all go."

Last year, Lopez created a stir when she wore a green floral print Versace dress with a plunging V-neck.

Braxton won a Grammy for female R&B vocal for her single "He Wasn’t Man Enough."

Sheryl Crow found herself one-upped by none other than Madonna. Crow sported midcalf-length red leather pants dotted with rhinestones by Dolce & Gabana.

"Madonna looked up at me and said, ‘I have those pants,’ " Crow said backstage, carrying her Grammy for female rock vocal performance.

Down for the count

Boxer Oscar De La Hoya’s losing streak at Staples Center continued on Grammy night.

De La Hoya lost to Shakira in the Latin pop album category, where he was nominated for his self-titled debut album.

A world champion in four weight classes, De La Hoya hasn’t fought since losing the World Boxing Council welterweight title to Shane Mosley in June, also at Staples Center.

Late but great

Grammy voters singled out two dead musicians — John Lennon and Latin percussionist Tito Puente.

Lennon, who was shot to death in 1980, earned his 11th career Grammy for "Gimme Some Truth — The Making of John Lennon’s Imagine Album" in the long form music video category. His widow, Yoko Ono, also shared the award as one of four producers.

Seven of Lennon’s awards were won with the Beatles.

Puente and Eddie Palmieri won for salsa album.

Four months before he died in June at age 77, Puente accepted a Grammy for traditional tropical Latin performance.

"It’s nice to see that everyone still respects Tito Puente, even though he’s no longer with us," said Tito Puente Jr., who accepted the award with his sister, Audrey.

At last

The Temptations won their first Grammy in 29 years.

Having endured numerous lineup changes and legal battles, the group’s "Ear-Resistible" captured traditional R&B vocal album. They won twice in 1972 for "Papa Was a Rolling Stone."

"It’s kind of like the Rev. Jesse Jackson said, ‘Keep hope alive,’ " Otis Williams said. "I never had that feeling that we should probably call it a day."

In accepting the award, the current lineup saluted dead members David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks, who was lead singer.

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