Toni Braxton Reveals What She Learned from Creating 'Unbreak My Heart' Biopic
— -- When Toni Braxton penned her 2014 memoir, "Unbreak My Heart," she had no idea Lifetime would tap her months later to turn her story into a TV movie.
But that's exactly what happened and Saturday night fans can finally learn what it took for the singer to become an R&B powerhouse.
"I wouldn't do anything over again," she told ABC News of her career. "I really wouldn't because of how I got to where I am today."
Braxton, 48, said that reflecting on her life to perfect the film made her realize many things about her personal life, including the breakdown of her 12-year marriage to musician, Keri Lewis. The pair, who split in 2013, have two children: Denim, 14, and Diezel, 12.
"When I looked at the part of my marriage, I saw that I was hurting so I lashed out at [Keri] and I didn't think about the things I did to hurt someone else," she explained. "I saw that and I went, 'Oh my God.'"
"[My Lupus diagnosis] was the moment that kind of changed our relationship. I was afraid and scared and worried about my mortality. I think about my children, but it was really a tough moment for me and it was unfortunately the demise of my marriage."
The singer said the film also made her realize her own strength.
"I learned some things about myself," she continued. "I was stronger than I thought I was. ...I'm pretty proud of myself. I can't deny it."
A young actress from Maryland, Braxton's home state, portrays the singer in the TV movie -- Lex Scott Davis.
"I didn't want to be involved in the process of picking Lexi," Braxton admitted, adding that she felt too close to the story to be unbiased.
But when she met Davis, she agreed with the casting director that Davis was the right actress to play her. "And she fit all the costumes," Braxton added with a laugh.
Braxton said she tried to stay away from the film's set in Vancouver as much as possible. "I didn't want to make Lexi uncomfortable. I wanted her to be relaxed playing me and it was really hard for me to be objective," she explained of her absence.
But Braxton couldn't stay away for long. She had to re-record the music for the biopic for licensing purposes.
Braxton said overall she thinks Davis "did a great job."
