Abhiroop Das
Helmed by Stanley M. Brooks, Lifetime’s ‘Toni Braxton’s Breathe Again’ follows the lives of Jennifer, Vanessa, and Evelyn, who are still recovering from the emotional distress of having their hearts broken on a reality dating show. However, as their lives begin to intersect, hope begins to win over gloom, propelling the trio to make the bold decision of moving from Los Angeles to Seattle. It is here in Emerald City that they find the courage to start their lives afresh, even when it means taking risks and actively reinventing themselves.
As Jennifer steps into her professional artistic career, Vanessa takes a step back and rebuilds her interior design business to fit her new ambitions. Together, they support Evelyn, who strives to find happiness even in the direst of times. This heartfelt drama movie explores the realities of dating shows and their potential psychological footprint, while also showcasing the true power of friendship and community in the process.
Toni Braxton’s Breathe Again is an Invented Take on Reality Show Aftermaths
‘Toni Braxton’s Breathe Again’ is a fictional story with no real-life incident informing its creation. Written by Nikita T. Hamilton, the film navigates a complex web of themes with a universal quality to them, including heartbreak and the ensuing resilience and emotional rebirth. Lifetime is no stranger to drawing inspiration from real-life events and narrativizing them, as is the case with titles such as ‘Betrayed by Love‘ and ‘Stolen Girl.’ Notably, writer Nikita’s other show, ‘A Million Little Things’, is also partially based on the actual experiences of DJ Nash, which shows her prowess with this style of storytelling. However, there is no biographical element in ‘Toni Braxton’s Breath Again,’ nor does its premise about former reality-show contestants reference any real-life show in the same vein.
The title for the movie comes from Toni Braxton’s iconic song of the same name. Through its lyrics, the song depicts a relationship that has run its course, and the potent feelings of nostalgia that emerge as a result. While this idea is vaguely similar to the movie’s premise, there is one crucial difference, namely that ‘Toni Braxton’s Breathe Again’ is about a dating show. Here, the story introduces a new layer, commenting on the entertainment industry and how it influences relationships. While both the song and the movie are about a transformative experience following a relationship, their contexts are different, making it likely that the matching titles hold symbolic value and are not indicative of a larger inspiration.
Toni Braxton’s Breathe Again Focuses on Friendship as a Healing Agent
While the movie may be an invented narrative, it does mirror some real-life stories surrounding people who have a negative experience with reality shows, particularly those centered around dating and other romantic premises. It is not uncommon for former participants to express dissatisfaction with how their on-screen arcs turned out, especially when a relationship does not continue beyond the scope of a reality show. Such experiences can also have long-term psychological effects, hampering mental health and emotional positivity in the long run. ‘Toni Braxton’s Breathe Again’ takes these concerns as its base and layers them with a fictional story, which expresses how characters move beyond their past trauma and achieve newer heights, both as individuals and as friends.
In real life, many reality show contestants have continued or even deepened their friendships long after their time on a show ended. In this Lifetime production, the friendship between former participants with similar experiences is at the heart of the narrative. While the writing team may have referenced how reality TV shows operate in real life and how the participants’ dynamics play out in the long run, ‘Toni Braxton’s Breathe Again’ presents that research through a crafted narrative. It is likely that the cast’s dynamic was also key to bringing the on-screen friendship to life, with actors Toni Braxton, Essence Atkins, and Cree Summers having ample fun on set.
Read More: Lifetime’s Toni Braxton’s Breathe Again: Filming Locations and Cast Details
