HALLMARK PRESS RELEASE:
HALLMARK CHANNEL ANNOUNCES
POWERHOUSE SINGER JORDIN SPARKS
TO STAR IN ALL-NEW ORIGINAL MOVIE,
'A CHRISTMAS TREASURE'
Michael Xavier is set to co-star alongside Sparks
STUDIO CITY, CA – July 13, 2021 – Hallmark Channel has announced that Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum singer-songwriter and actress, who won season six of “American Idol,” Jordin Sparks, will be starring in the all-new original Hallmark Channel movie, “A Christmas Treasure,” alongside Hallmark alum Michael Xavier. The film will premiere as part of the network’s “Countdown to Christmas” programming event.
After opening a 100-year-old time capsule and finding her grandfather’s journal, Lou (Sparks) questions whether she should move to New York after Christmas to further her writing career or stay in Pine Grove to carry on her family’s local newspaper. Charming chef, Kyle (Xavier), is also at a crossroads, visiting Pine Grove for the holidays. When Lou and Kyle meet, they both have doubts about their future, but the magic of the holiday season and the connection they have, helps each of their journeys.
“Christmas is so special to me and I’m thrilled that I get to share this festive movie with you this year,” says Sparks. “I loved being able to perform some of my favorite Christmas melodies, one for the first time, as part of the movie. Joining the Hallmark family is a dream come true! I know people are going to fall in love with Lou and our story that truly represents the phrase, ‘Home is where the Heart is.’”
Sparks sings two classic Christmas songs in the movie, covering “This Christmas” and on the piano, “Oh Holy Night.” Her original song from her 2020 Christmas album Cider & Hennessy “Oh, It’s Christmas” will also be part of the movie.
With much success in series television and film including SYFY’s "Bitten" and Netflix/CBC’s "Northern Rescue" and also a Hallmark Alum, Michael Xavier is the perfect fit for this heartwarming film.
The all-new original movie is a part of Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas” programming event, the destination for holiday entertainment. The premiere date of the movie will be announced at a later date.
“A Christmas Treasure” is from Christmas Treasure Road Productions Ltd. Stephanie Germain, Jordin Sparks, Harvey Kahn and Allen Lewis serve as executive producers. Charles Cooper serves as producer. Michael Robison directed from a story by Jen Notas Shapiro and teleplay by Sandra Berg & Judith Berg. Music is by Sean William.
-- HALLMARK CHANNEL --
Hope you enjoyed this Hallmark Christmas movie news during Christmas in July! By the way, the press release mentions Michael Xavier is a Hallmark alum, he also starred alongside Tamera Mowry-Housley in 'Christmas Comes Twice.'
The time capsule story sounds quite intriguing, I think. Plus, I'm always in tune with a Christmas movie with good music. What are your thoughts? Please share in comments below.
Joyous Blessings! Net
Yay, Hallmark continues its new wokeness with its 1st Christmas movie announcement.
ReplyDeleteSabrina
I liked the Debbie Gibson and Leann Rimes movies but not so sure about this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm beginning to get some bad vibes about this year's Christmas offerings - Florence
You shouldn't judge before you haven't seen yet. Not to be mean or anything but your remark came off as slightly racist considering you listed two white actresses and already assuming you won't like this like you have Leann Rimes and Debbie Gibson movies. The last several movies Jordin Sparks has done have been faith based so I don't think you will have to worry about anything.
DeleteYou shouldn't be getting bad vibes about the countdown. Many fan favorites are returning: Candace Cameron Bure, Lacey Chabert (who will film her Christmas movie in Ireland), Danica McKellar, Holly Robinson Peete (who reveals her Christmas movie will also have a plot that involves autism), Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Ashley Williams (sisters will star in both movies the sisters star in. One will headline one movie and the other will be supporting star and then vice versa for next movie. Beyond that we know nothing else but news should start pouring in as we get closer and closer to October. Keep the faith! - Zoe
Hi Zoe! 'Keep the faith' is always good advice.
DeleteI don't want to speak for others, but I think Florence's reference to Debbie Gibson and Leann Rimes was just a comparison of singers who act on Hallmark. Some singers can act, but other singers should probably just stick to singing.
Nonsense, the plot simply doesn't appeal to me and as many of the Christmas movies will already have been filmed I think there will be a large number of ones with same sex relationships.
DeleteAs a metter of fact my personal favourite singer is Diana Ross - Florence
What’s Jordin Sparks’ character; Lou’s real name is Louise or Louisa in “Christmas Treasure”?
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised the very first announcement is with actors not well known to Hallmark viewers. What's up with that?
ReplyDeleteI'm not too shocked. Jordin Sparks is a big name. Next to Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood she's the next big star that came out of American Idol and does have a following. Also she's starred in quite a few spiritual/faith based films in the past couple years.
DeleteMichael Xavier was in Hallmark movie: “Be My Valentine”, starring William Baldwin & Nicole Brown. His character named Michael
ReplyDeleteThis is his 3rd Hallmark Christmas Movies
I am not at all surprised about this announcement as this is who Hallmark is now, well now until they see their ratings have fallen FLAT, and I mean FLAT. Once someone sees this and cares, then they get someone else new and who knows what will happen.
ReplyDeleteI get diversity, and being different, but you pissed off your core fans, the ones who got you where you are today and you became something else overnight.
I saw Christmas Tree Grows in CO the other night. I thought there was a gay character and was watching for a while and was like ok i dont see it. well half way thru the gay character appears and it was done very well. It was done how it should be, it wasn't an in your face this is who I am and everyone and I mean everyone who doesn't even know me needs to know this about me. I was like, wow, this is good, i mean I know if you really love your friend, family member, you love them no matter what and accept them. I dont have a problem with that at all.
But then at the end of the movie, they try and tell you the main guy's friend, that his daughter calls "Uncle" I mean they are that close to call him Uncle, and the friend didnt know he was gay? The guy tried telling him the guy he thought was dating Erin was not dating him and the main guy asked how do you know? the guy said I know and the main guy didnt get it at all. leads me to believe he didnt know the man his kid calls uncle was gay.
its like when Hallmark does gay, they do it so rudely and to a point that it, to me, degrades the subject. I get the kid not knowing gay, but his friend should have known that.
The quality of movies' are bad, the subjects are bad, the throw in your face all wokeness is just the worst. and the fans you are attracting, such as the "fans" that now love one of their shows that suddenly had a character as a lesbian and is with a girl now, those fans I can assure you are not the loyal fans. they aren't the ones propelling you to #1. they come to watch that and dont watch the others. So glad you got new fans that cant even save your show cause it got cancelled cause the ratings are bad. I am not sure what the excuse is for every summer movie being below 2 mill viewers, must be something but that is awful. Cant help but see they get rid of Bill and ratings nosedive.
Sabrina
Sabrina, Thank you for sharing. After reading your review of "A Christmas Tree Grows in Colorado," I'm glad I skipped that one. It's funny how some of the movies, they slip that storyline in later on instead of right at the beginning. I guess they know some people might turn the channel and they want to keep viewers for as long as possible.
DeleteThe commercial they are running now (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnzGeI7ITXs) says this Christmas season on Hallmark is going to be big, so I imagine there will be a lot of variety again this year. In years past, I would've never missed a Hallmark movie, but everything changed last year, and I'm sure I'll be skipping plenty more this year.
Now, this movie... "A Christmas Treasure" - I think it sounds potentially good based on the description they gave us. Plus, Jordin has done quite a bit of acting, so I think she'll be better than some singers who think they can act, too. I won't mention any names, but I think we both know a couple.
It is interesting how much lower the ratings are now. I personally think it's because everyone knows if they miss it the first time, they can just stream it or watch it on Hallmark later. Things are so different now.
I do like Jordin Sparks and did really love her on AI. I dont really listen to pop music but I knew a few of her songs after AI. I watched a bit of christmas comes twice recently and the guy in it was good. I didnt watch many HM christmas movies last year, so i have caught some now this week that werent that bad. The Heart of the Holiday wasnt terrible. I liked the girl a lot. I really liked the people in the Christmas tree grows in CO. Rochelle A was really good, so pretty and i hope she is on HM more. Have enjoyed Mark Taylor's movies i think he was in the one with Christina Millian. I recorded Christmas waltz last night cause i still havent watched that movie. The Crashing thru Christmas movie this weekend was one of the oddest movies i saw in a while. Not sure at all the pjs scene where Amy covered up her pjs when her ex came by but was leaving her pjs out for warren to see. it was weird the entire movie but the kids, they were great and Brooke Nevin was awesome as usual.
DeleteI love Debbie Gibson in movies i wish we could see more of her. she was great.
Sabrina
Isn't it interesting how we're now in the middle of July, yet the commercial Net mentioned and the announcement of 'A Christmas Treasure' have been the only major Christmas related news we've received? Years ago, we would have gotten a plethora of Christmas movie news within a week, in correlation with their 'Christmas in July' marathons. Now, it seems like they're stalling, dragging their feet just to give us any word on their biggest events. Personally, I think the aforementioned commercial is 'Bottled with Love' all over again. Remember how that movie's trailer stated it was "the best movie you'll see all year"? I can only speak for myself, but 'Bottled with Love' was fine, just not worth the hype.
DeleteMy prediction is Hallmark will make less Christmas movies this year than last year. With all the changes happening in 2021, I have a feeling they might be running out of money, with the current ratings doing them no favors. Think about it; if Hallmark was doing well financially, why would they cancel programs left and right? Why would multiple executives step down within the same year? Why would the company lay off numerous employees? Even if Hallmark created 35 films among both channels this year, I think that could be an obvious sign that there might be trouble in paradise.
Rochelle actually has a movie coming out with Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. It's suppose to be a new mystery series called Melanie Abrams Mysteries: Beyond Repair but has now been titled Redemption In Cherry Springs. Now sure when the air date is but should be soon as I believe it's already been filmed. - Zoe
DeleteSally - Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
DeleteI know just what you mean about the "Bottled with Love" commercial and building up expectations. It was good, but not the best ever. That was a lot to live up to, which wasn't fair for the actors in the movie.
Will Hallmark be able to increase the volume of movies and keep the ratings numbers from the past? Honestly, I don't think so. Competition is everywhere - from local stations, streaming sources, cable stations, etc...
And, I agree with you - it does seem like their finances may be in trouble. I so appreciate you sharing these excellent points with us.
Zoe, I've been hearing about Redemption In Cherry Springs, here and there, and now it's official - Parade just shared the news today. I posted some info here:
Deletehttps://itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com/2021/07/new-hallmark-mystery-redemption-in-cherry-springs.html
Sally Silverscreen makes a lot of good points.
DeleteWith the big expansion in the Christmas output in the past few years it would mean a loss of face for Hallmark if they were to cut down on the number of Christmas movies so I an wondering how they would explain it?
There's no question the ratings have been dropping sharply this year which will inevitably lead to a loss of advertising revenue.
They'll eventually realise that in trying to keep two separate factions happy you end up pleasing no-one.
I was just thinking myself that there seemed to be much less information about the Christams movies at this point than im previous years.
Interesting but worrying times at Hallmark - Florence
sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleted
I loved Jordan Sparks on AI! Plus, she has acting experience on the stage and movies. She is also such a sweet person. Looking forward to the movie.
ReplyDeleteMisty
Thanks for sharing, Misty! Glad to hear you're looking forward to this one! :)
DeleteWill we ever see Christmas in Vail which which will be a sequel to Winter in Vail with Tyler Hines and Lacey Chabert as Chelsea Whitmore and Owen Becker celebrates Christmas?
ReplyDeleteThat would be good, but better than that would be another movie with Erin Krakow & Tyler Hynes movie. I think Carrie Underwood would be great in a Christmas movie.
ReplyDelete