Lacey Chabert, known for her roles in Party of Five, Mean Girls, and nearly 50 TV movies, has taken on a new project that steps outside her usual scripted comfort zone. Her latest venture is Celebrations, a Hallmark series that showcases Chabert surprising deserving individuals who make a positive impact in their communities with grand celebrations.
During an interview with Forbes, Chabert shared that the concept for Celebrations had been a dream of hers for years. The show came to life when Hallmark executives approached her about expanding into unscripted content, and Chabert eagerly pitched her idea of creating a series about throwing parties for people who truly deserve them.
Despite her extensive experience in acting, Chabert admitted that working on an unscripted series was a “completely different experience.” She found herself in the unfamiliar role of conducting interviews, talking to the friends, family, and colleagues of the featured heroes to learn more about their inspiring contributions.
“The first day on set, I was actually nervous,” Chabert revealed. “I’m so used to having a script, memorizing lines, and I’m used to being the one being interviewed about my projects. Now I was the one doing the interviewing.” However, she quickly found joy in connecting with people and hearing their stories, which added an unexpected layer of excitement to the show.
Celebrations features various heartwarming stories, including that of a second-grade teacher who founded a kindness club, and a nonprofit that provides life-saving surgeries to children worldwide. The unscripted format allowed Chabert to navigate real-life challenges, such as last-minute venue changes or adverse weather conditions, which made the production process both thrilling and unpredictable.
Chabert describes the emotional impact of surprising these everyday heroes, who often believe they are participating in a documentary until they walk into their surprise celebration. “Seeing the look on their face when they realize the celebration’s actually for them, well, every time, it made me cry,” she shared.
Reflecting on her journey from a small town in Mississippi to her current success, Chabert expressed gratitude for the opportunities she’s had and her excitement to celebrate others. “I just think of how far the journey has taken me, and how blessed I feel that so many doors have opened for me. I am just so thrilled that I get to tell stories for a living.”
Celebrations with Lacey Chabert is available for streaming on the Hallmark+ platform, inviting viewers to join in recognizing the everyday heroes who make a difference in the world.
surce: https://www.forbes.com/sites/anneeaston/2024/09/10/lacey-chabert-surprises-everyday-heroes-in-new-hallmark-series-celebrations/
