A vacation romance takes middle stage within the upcoming Lifetime film Christmas within the Highlight. The movie follows a preferred musician, Bowyn Sykes, performed by Jessica Lord (Discover Me In Paris, The Subsequent Step). Her busy schedule has made it tough to search out Mr. Proper. Enter Laith Wallschleger’s Drew (The Rookie, All American), a professional soccer participant, whose probability assembly with the star backstage at a live performance results in an simple connection. Sound acquainted?
Romance blooms between the 2 lovebirds with the assist of Bowyn’s supervisor Mia (Jeannie Mai). Their bond grows stronger however exterior forces could sack this relationship. Weathering by means of demanding careers, paparazzi, and far scrutiny from the press, followers, and household have made issues tough. The facility couple faces their largest problem in the course of the yuletide season placing their whirlwind romance in jeopardy.
We chatted with Mai because the Emmy-winning for co-host of The Actual opened up about leaping into performing and the way she pertains to the movie.
That is the time of 12 months we’re seeing all these Christmas films popping out. Is that this a bucket record second that you’re a part of one?
Jeannie Mai: Oh my gosh, sure! I like Christmas films. They only put you in such a cheerful place. To be requested to be part of this. One thing that seems like such a modern-day fairy story state of affairs. It was a no brainer.
Lifetime is understood for its “ripped from the headlines” tales. This one was loosely impressed by Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s love story. What have been your ideas on the challenge once you learn the script?
Taylor and Travis performed it out so fantastically in entrance of us that it’s arduous to not think about the conversations that go on between them and the disagreements they might have. I additionally had a chat present for 10 years and was within the highlight of getting relationships performed out. Everybody thinks they know what it’s like till you’re truly in it the place folks simply begin turning into a voice in your relationship. I believed Eirene Tran [Donohue], the author, put such a enjoyable spin on this dynamic. To be part of it however not in it was refreshing. Sure, I’m watching my co-star Jess’ Bowyn undergo it, however I’m guiding as a lot as I can because the supervisor of her profession. It was cool to be exterior of it, however nonetheless have that nurturing eye like I do. I’m truly that manner with my movie star mates who’re participating in a star relationship.
So that you’re that particular person within the good friend group?
Sure! I feel for each one in every of my mates who begins relationship anyone well-known, I’m one of many first to listen to about it. We undergo the entire vary of questions. Ought to we go public? Ought to we be seen out? What is that this going to do to my profession? They’re additionally so excited. They need the world to know what this love is like. It’s arduous. Although it seems like a well-known folks drawback, when you announce on “the Gram” who your boo is, it’s an entire new world. It’s a very accountable resolution to make.
What sort of recommendation do you give them?
I solely know the model of being upfront and out loud about my relationships as a result of I used to be on a chat present that was on day-after-day. It was arduous to not be, whether or not I used to be going by means of a divorce on the time or relationship somebody new. As we speak, I’d slightly hold it to myself at this level. That’s how I begin issues out with my mates. I’m like, “Pay attention, as quickly as you give anyone details about your relationship, it’s theirs. It’s theirs to have an opinion on. It’s there to be the keyboard thug about. It’s there to learn by means of footage and choose what facials you have been making once you walked out of the restaurant or no matter it’s.”
You may’t get mad at them. You set it on the market, in order that they’re going to have an opinion on it. As we speak Jeannie Mai would begin out with, “I don’t suppose you need to do that. I feel you need to hold it to your self till there’s a motive.” There needs to be a motive to make it their enterprise. Once we begin the dialog off there, it turns into completely different. Some folks simply need to let it’s identified. They love the particular person a lot they’ll’t assist it. That’s okay too, however it’s a must to know what comes with it.
How is it entering into performing? Have you ever caught the bug after this expertise?
I like performing. It’s a lot enjoyable. It’s a lot extra liberating than being a bunch. Once I’m a bunch, I’m me. It’s me on a regular basis. For the final 15 to twenty years, it’s me being Jeannie in all aspects. As an actor, I cherished taking all this power I’m assured in and harnessing it into what this character needs to be. It’s arduous to not have Jeannie-isms come out. Once I watched myself do that film, I noticed the mothering facet of me in direction of my woman Jess. I noticed the facet of me that actually thinks about enterprise, which as a Capricorn’s all we do. All of it felt near house, this performing gig of mine.
What are some initiatives or roles you need to do subsequent?
I need to do a sitcom. Even a bit slapstick. I like dramedy. I like relationship comedy. I would like mother comedy. I need to play a mother someplace. I might be so bomb in that. I need to put on skinny denims and a pleasant fitted cardigan. Or I could be a sassy Fran Drescher sort of mother. I’m down for that too. I’m aiming for sitcoms, however with films I like romcoms. I dwell in that house very well. I can do a horror spin on issues. It’s simply I’m so afraid that I might be the annoying character consistently having you bounce out of your seat. When you get me in that heebie-jeebies temper, I can’t get out of it.
(L-R) Adrienne Bailon, Tamera Mowry, Loni Love and Jeannie Mai, winners of Excellent Leisure Speak Present Host for ‘The Actual’, settle for award onstage throughout the forty fifth annual Daytime Emmy Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on April 29, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photograph by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Photos)
Over a decade in the past you began on The Actual. How do you look again on that point?
I’ll at all times have a look at speak reveals with respect as a result of it’s actually arduous to maintain a chat present afloat. I feel what we have been doing at the moment was so distinctive, enjoyable, and refreshing. You hadn’t actually had a bunch of girls that talked about all the pieces from their intercourse lives to their our bodies to the dumb questions you’re not allowed to ask with out feeling judged. It was only a women’ women present. We realized a lot on that present. Each single one in every of us grew up on that present. We have been all at completely different phases of life. We’re all so completely different now. That’s how stunning it was. This metamorphosis of a lady is so insane and I may see it most by means of this speak present.
My opinions on the speak present match what I used to be going by means of then. They’re so completely different at this time. I have a look at a number of the issues Jeannie Mai mentioned within the first couple of seasons. I’m like, “Wow, child Jeannie I see you. You have been striving to know.” Really, it offers me a lot grace as a mother for Monaco too. To be affected person with the best way she sees the world as an alternative of correcting her. Letting her perceive what is smart to her then as a result of it’s tangible for her now. Simply giving her that figuring out smile and giving her the prospect to securely discover the opposite facet of issues figuring out she is going to get to it in her personal time.
Do you need to come again to this speak present house?
I’ll at all times love speak as a result of speaking and speaking is therapeutic. I do know extra folks than I ought to who don’t need to discuss their emotions. Don’t need to discuss their setbacks or admit the scary issues they consider of their heads. I feel the actual fact these girls, me and my cohosts, we have been so courageous to be outspoken and celebrated on a chat present. Even gained an Emmy and NAACP awards due to our bravery.
I encourage that for all girls all over the place. Most of the time we’re advised what to suppose and really feel and what’s applicable or not. We’re given labels due to our opinions. That sucks. I’ll at all times be a fan of speak. I’ve been approached loads of occasions for various speak mediums. If I ever bought again into it, it needs to be the suitable time. It needs to be the correct that has a aim and imaginative and prescient in thoughts for all of us womenkind. Range is admittedly necessary to me. I must produce it. I’m a reasonably good process. I’m truly government producing this season of America’s Check Kitchen: The Subsequent Era. I’ve produced all of my content material for my YouTube channel and the shorts I do now. If I did do one other speak present, I must have a hand in producing it. And it might be f*ckin wonderful.
Dancing With The Stars – Jeannie Mai and Brandon Armstrong (Credit score: ABC/Eric McCandless)
We’re within the midst of one other season of Dancing with the Stars. I feel again to the way you heartbreakingly needed to step out of the competitors. If the chance introduced itself, do you see a redemption story?
Why are you bringing again this reminiscence that has haunted me?! No, that was nonetheless essentially the most thrilling time of my life. I’ve by no means been so nervous and fish out of water on that present. I couldn’t be extra grateful to have skilled it as a result of it was the best. I by no means noticed myself like that earlier than. I’ve by no means taken dance. I’m vibey and like wilding out, however I’ve by no means performed that for a rating and for the entire world. It’s nonetheless hands-down nonetheless essentially the most thrilling time of my life. Would I am going by means of it once more? It must be for the suitable motive. Let’s be trustworthy. I might have taken that present down. I nonetheless suppose I might have been on the high, the highest finalist. I proved to myself what I can do. I didn’t suppose I might make it previous Week 2, however I proved to myself I may do it. If I did it once more it must be for an additional motive. I made myself proud. I’m good the place I’m. It’s a tough present, actually arduous.
Damon Wayans Jr. and Jeannie Mai Jenkins in CBS’s ‘Raid the Cage’ (CBS)
I do know you simply bought again after filming one other season of Raid the Cage. What are you able to inform us about Season 2?
It’s insane how far me and Damon [Wayans Jr.] take it. I hosted with Damon, who’s my favourite. He’s so humorous and good at what he does. I can’t inform you one second of the present the place we weren’t crying or laughing…The present is full of larger prizes, essentially the most unbelievable issues you might stroll away with. This season goes to be higher than ever and on a fair larger stage. There’s a lot journey with this.
Do you may have a watch occasion deliberate for Christmas within the Highlight?
I’m attempting to place collectively the watch occasion plan. My mother and pa watch so many Korean dramas and movies about love and these romcoms. Right here I get to be in a single, and that’s large to me. The very fact they get to observe their daughter in a film for the primary time, it’s additional particular. The very fact it’s round my favourite vacation makes it even higher. What I’m taking away with that is the truth that I, Jeanie Mai, have acted in her first film and it’s round my favourite vacation and at a time the place my daughter can truly sit by means of a film on display. I don’t know concerning the kissing elements. I’ll most likely take her out for a loo break throughout that point. It’s excellent.
Christmas within the Highlight premiere, November 23, 8/7c, Lifetime