Toni Braxton to play Darlene Love in first ever OWN original movie

theGRIO REPORT - Toni Braxton is going to break new ground on Oprah Winfrey's cable network...

Apr 3, 2014

Toni Braxton is going to break new ground on Oprah Winfrey’s cable network.

The R&B diva will be playing legendary singer Darlene Love in OWN’s first-ever scripted television movie.

My Name is Love: The Darlene Love Story will document the iconic ’60s singer’s rise from background vocalist to solo soul icon.

Love, who is executive producing the film, has long been a force in the music industry, collaborating with Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra just to name a few.

According to OWN, “This is the dishy and dramatic story of a woman who had it all, lost it all, but never, ever refused to give up [sic].”

Love is enjoying something of a Renaissance these days. She was featured prominently in the Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom and her acceptance speech at the Academy Awards was viewed by many as a highlight of the show.

Meanwhile, Braxton is making big moves as well. Her memoir, Unbreak My Heart, is due out on May 20.

My Name Is Love is scheduled to premiere this December.