Toni Braxton’s Autistic Son Stars With Her In New Movie

Toni Braxton’s autistic son makes his acting debut in her new Lifetime movie, “Twist of Faith,” and could have had a bigger role, but the singer didn’t want to put too much pressure on him.

Photo: Katy Winn/Invision/AP, file
At the Lupus LA's Hollywood Bag Ladies Luncheon in Beverly Hills, Calif.

“He was supposed to play my son initially but by the time we worked out the shooting schedule, school had started,” Braxton said of 9-year-old Diezel. (She also has an 11-year-old named Denim.)

“Even though he’s considered high functioning right now, he wasn’t in the past, and that’s why I thought him carrying the movie and trying to do the movie and tutoring would have been too much for him,” the 45-year-old singer said.

Braxton decided he should take a smaller role.

“He was a little disappointed at first, but I think in the end, he’s happy about the turnout,” she said.

Braxton understands the pressure. Although she has had small acting roles and stars in the WE reality TV series, “Braxton Family Values,” which has its season premiere March 14, she is the main star of “Twist of Faith” – and that makes her nervous.

“I never had to carry anything before. It’s a lot of work,” she said of her role in the film, which debuts Saturday on Lifetime (8 p.m. EST).

“Singing is indigenous for me, but acting is not. I’ve had to work to prepare for it,” said Braxton, adding later: “Be nice to me, guys! This is my first real acting debut! There are a few boo-boos. … It’s a lot more technical than I thought.”

Photo: AP Photo
Java Jazz Festival, Jakarta International Expo, Jakarta, Indonesia

Braxton is better known for her Grammy-winning, multiplatinum singing career, which has netted classics like “Un-break My Heart” and “Breathe Again.” She said she’s working on an album with longtime collaborator Babyface called Love, Marriage, Divorce. She’s also doing a few shows here and there, but she suffers from lupus, an autoimmune disease, which prevents her from doing more. Recently, she was hospitalized for blood clots, but Braxton considers herself one of the “lucky ones” and is grateful she can still have a career.

“My doctors told me I would never be able to perform again,” she said. “I’m very lucky that I’m still able to dabble in it a little bit.”
 

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