Hallmark’s Lacey Chabert Talks ‘Celebrations’ DIY Reality Show and 3 new Rom-Coms!
With Hallmark+ taking on reality TV this fall, Celebrations with Lacey Chabert is a DIY party-planning series that’s all about honoring unsung heroes with surprise events. Hallmark-star-turned-Hallmark-hostess Chabert sat down with FIRST for Women to talk about her new unscripted series – not to mention reuniting with Hallmark hunk Brennan Elliott for their tenth rom-com, His & Hers; sharing her first adventure with Kristoffer Polaha in The Christmas Quest; and breaking into Netflix with Hot Frosty. Chabert also reflects on landing on Party of Five 30 years ago this September. Plus, we’ve got Hallmark trailers and first looks!
Lacey Chabert teases ‘Celebrations’ party planning reality show
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Hallmark Media
The moment Lacey Chabert heard Hallmark was getting into unscripted television, the Mean Girls alum with a heart of gold jumped at the opportunity.
“I've had this show that I've always wanted to do, throwing parties for children [and adults] who make an impact on the lives of people in their communities,” cheers the DIY enthusiast who has turned her dream into the reality series, Celebrations with Lacey Chabert.
“This show celebrates real-life heroes who don't often get the spotlight, and it does it with a surprise party,” Chabert continues. “My favorite moment is when they walk into the party, look around, see all of their loved ones and coworkers…and then realize that they’re the one who’s being celebrated!”
In the 10-episode series, Lacey relies on her own DIY party-throwing skills, but she also calls in the experts to help her create perfectly themed celebrations for each hero.
Lacey Chabert talks working without a script in Hallmark’s ‘Celebrations’ reality show
While Chabert is used to doing interviews like the one you’re reading now, taking on the role of host meant it was suddenly her job to find out about the guests of honor from their friends, family and coworkers.
“I'm not used to being the one asking the question!” she says with a laugh. “When there's no script and you're interviewing someone, you have to really listen and be ready to go with the flow of the conversation. It was challenging, but I just leaned into my love of getting to know people and hearing what their journey has been.”
Chabert also collaborated with Lisa and Marissa of LA Party Stylists – from whom she picked up some new tricks and tips for the next party she throws.
“It was so fun to get to see things I could do at my daughter's parties,” she says. “And I want the audience to feel like, ‘Oh, I could do that,’ or, ‘I could do the DIY version of that.’”
Lacey Chabert promises ‘Celebrations’ will tackle party planning disaster tips
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Hallmark Media
Whether it’s the guests, the decorations or the weather, one of the first rules of party planning is that not everything will go as planned.
“Every time I throw a party in real life, I'm like, ‘I'm not going to stress. I'm just going to enjoy it,’” Chabert admits. “Cut to: I’m running around, people are gonna be there in five minutes and I still haven't showered!”
While there are no major disasters on Celebrations with Lacey Chabert, the team does contend with a game-changing windstorm, lost venues and other hurdles.
“There are moments where we had to think on our feet and pivot quickly,” Chabert previews. “But at the end of the day, it's all about the heart and celebrating someone who deserves it, so we always figure out a way to make it work.
“You really have to have an incredible team who’s ready to brainstorm and come up with a backup plan,” she adds. “I learned a lot from that.”
Hallmark beauty Lacey Chabert teases tenth rom-com with Brennan Elliot, ‘His & Hers’
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Even as Chabert gets her party on, she also has a host of movies lined up – including His & Hers, her tenth collaboration with Hallmark hunk Brennan Elliot.
“It was so wonderful to reunite with Brennan,” Chabert raves. “He's a dear friend and it’s great to go to work with a friend, especially when you're playing a married couple. Sometimes, you’re meeting your costar for the first time on set and you have to create this comfort, but with Brennan, that trust is already there.”
This time, Hallmark has cast the pair as high-powered lawyers Dana and Mark, who find themselves on opposite sides of a messy divorce that involves a pair of messy reality TV stars.
“It’s a really fun rom-com,” Chabert teases. “We're going against each other, and it causes us to examine our own marriage and ask some thoughtful questions.”
Lacey Chabert talks fifteenth Countdown to Christmas movie and first Netflix holiday romp
In her next Hallmark Christmas rom-com, The Christmas Quest, Chabert plays an archeologist who teams up with her ex-husband, played by Kristoffer Polaha, to search for a legendary treasure.
“It's an adventure, so is a different type of Christmas movie than I've ever done before,” Chabert previews. “We got to be in Iceland and film in ice caves, waterfalls and ice glaciers. I love this movie so much, and Kristoffer is wonderful.”
Chabert is also bringing her holiday magic to Netflix for the first time in the upcoming rom-com, Hot Frosty. Also starring Dustin Milligan, Lauren Holly and Chrishell Stause, the jaunt is about a widow who brings a handsome snowman to life.
“It's a fun movie about the joy of Christmas, and I love telling those stories,” says Chabert, who was thrilled to work for the streamer. “I've been in the business for a very long time, and I’m so thankful to expand my platform.”
Hallmark star Lacey Chabert is rooting for a ‘Party of Five’ 30th anniversary reunion
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When Chabert says she’s been in the business a long time, she not lying. She was only seven years old when Party of Five premiered 30 years ago this September.
“It's a bizarre experience,” Chabert says of growing up on television. “My daughter is seven now, so from a mother's perspective, it's just wild to think I was doing professional acting at that age. The path hasn't always been easy, but I'm so thankful I had such protective parents and have been so blessed. I still wake up excited I get to do this for a living.”
Having reunited with onscreen big brother Scott Wolf for Hallmark’s A Merry Scottish Christmas last year, Chabert would jump at a Party of Five reboot of some kind with the whole the Salinger clan – including Matthew Fox, Neve Cambell and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
“Getting to be on set with Scott 30 years after Party of Five debuted, it felt like no time had passed,” Chabert tells FIRST. “It was such a beautiful reunion, and I’d love to see where those characters are. Absolutely!”
In the meantime, Chabert’s dance card is very full. With Celebrations with Lacey Chabert set to premiere when Hallmark+ launches mid-September, His & Hers with Elliott will air as part of Hallmark’s Fall into Love event. After that, The Christmas Quest with Polaha is slated to join this year’s Countdown to Christmas on the Hallmark Channel and Chabert will take the lead for the first time on Netflix in Hot Frosty with Milligan.
