Toni Braxton to Star as ’20 Feet From Stardom’ Subject Darlene Love in OWN Biopic
It’s been quite a journey for Darlene Love, the exceptionally talented vocalist who was recently one of the subjects in the Oscar-winning documentary “20 Feet from Stardom.” Following an induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 and renewed interest after the documentary, OWN has announced a biopic.
“My Name Is Love: The Darlene Love Story” will star Toni Braxton as Love, who recorded a number of the best songs in Phil Spector’s catalog as a background singer (“Be My Baby,” “Da Doo Ron Ron”) and as a lead vocalist (“He’s a Rebel,” “He’s Sure the Boy I Love”), but never got credit for the latter, which was instead attributed to The Crystals. Love eventually set out on her own, gaining a following for her soulful voice.
The film is “being shepherded” by Morgan Neville, the director of “20 Feet from Stardom,” according to Variety. No word yet if R&B star Braxton will provide her own vocals or if the film will use Love’s original recordings, but it’s hard to imagine the music turning out poorly either way.
