Grammy-winning R&B legend Toni Braxton’s iconic hit “Breathe Again” is being reimagined — this time for the television screen. The Lifetime original movie is set to premiere Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT as part of the network’s Love of a Lifetime film slate.
The film stars Toni Braxton, Essence Atkins, best known for her roles in Deliver Us From Eva and Smart Guy, and Cree Summer, beloved for her portrayal of Freddie Brooks on the classic NBC sitcom A Different World.
Rather than retelling the 1993 hit song’s original lyrical narrative, Breathe Again transforms its emotional essence into a modern story centered on resilience, community, and personal reinvention.
The plot follows three women, Jennifer (Braxton), Vanessa (Summer), and Evelyn (Atkins) who meet as contestants on a reality dating show. After each experiences public heartbreak, an unexpected bond forms between them. Refusing to be defined by disappointment, the trio relocates from Los Angeles to Seattle, where they lean on one another while pursuing fresh starts in love, career, and personal growth.
Toni Braxton, Cree Summer, and Essence Atkins bring Braxton’s 1993 hit song to life in a fresh, reimagined onscreen storyline; Courtesy of Lifetime
The upcoming premiere follows the success of Braxton’s previous Lifetime film He Wasn’t Man Enough, which was also inspired by her music and starred Atkins.
Braxton is not the only artist whose hit songs are being transformed into on-screen storytelling experiences. Mary J. Blige’s classics Real Love, Strength of a Woman, and Family Affair have also been adapted into Lifetime original films. Her upcoming movie Be Happy, set to premiere February 7, continues the network’s commitment to Black-led films inspired by the music of iconic Black artists.
At its heart, Breathe Again is a story about healing through love, navigating difficult loss, and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood, reminding audiences that sometimes, starting over begins with leaning on one another.
