The whole world tuned in to Lifetime to see Toni Braxton’s new biopic “Unbreak my Heart – A Little Bruised but Still Here,” on Saturday January 23rd at 7pm. The movie had about 3.6 million viewers making this the biggest movie Lifetime has had in a year. It was based on the life of Grammy award winning artist Toni Braxton.
The movie began with the girls auditioning for Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edwards. The producers loved the girls, but already had a girl group and were looking for a solo artist. They chose to only sign Toni Braxton.
Through out the movie Toni struggled with the fact that she “abandoned her sisters.” So she made sure she allowed her family to come with her on the process of becoming an icon.Throughout the movie Toni undergoes struggles of becoming a star because she grew up in a very strict protestant house hold where she wasn’t allowed to wear pants or listen to secular music. Little did she know she was going to be earning Grammy’s for the very songs she was never allowed to listen to.
As Toni’s career quickly erupted, she started to change not only within her self but also her appearance. She started rocking the iconic short cut, wearing riskier clothes and even got a boob job. This enraged her mother because she thought Toni was letting the world change her.
Along with her success and her family always pressuring her, Toni ended up in some money troubles because of the bogus contract her record deal gave her. She ended up having her file for bankruptcy to pay the people that went on tour with her out of her own pocket.
After winning the case against her record company she had to make another hit album to clear her name to the public. She also fell in love and got married to Keri Lewis which was a member in the band Mint Condition.
Together Toni and Kerri had two sons Denim and Diezel. Toni took a break to raise her family and had to deal with the fact that her youngest son Diezel was diagnosed with autism. Toni felt that she was being the bread-winner to her home and began to become sick because of all of the stress.
Shortly after this she was diagnosed with lupus. In the middle of all of this she had to file for bankruptcy for the second time because she was sick and couldn’t go on tour so she had to again pay everyone back. Her marriage was not strong enough to last all of this trouble so Toni and Kerri ended up divorcing.
Toni’s family helped her get through her sickness and suggested a reality TV show to also help her sisters gain fame. Of course Toni went along with the idea of the TV show because she would do anything to help her sisters.
The show has now been on air for about 5 years, and it shows the Braxton’s supporting and loving each other. Toni continues to raise her children and celebrating her career as a 7-time Grammy winner and music icon.