This week, I got to chat with star Benjamin Ayres, star of Hallmark's newest movie Color My World with Love. This was the first Hallmark movie to feature actors with Down Syndrome. Ben plays Nick, Brad's friend and real estate developer. We talk about working with his costars Erica Durance, Lily Moore and David DeSanctis. We talk about the lessons he's learned from his costars and some behind the scenes secrets. This was a fun interview. It was very personal for me. I am disabled and have always advocated for movies that tell stories of the disabled community. I am planning on taking an indefinite break from podcasting. Thanks for your support.

This week I get to interview Natalie Hall, star of the newest Hallmark film "A Road Trip Romance." I am a huge fan of Natalie. I have been watching her since her All My Children days as Colby Chandler. But during this interview we concentrated on her Hallmark career. We talked about Winter Princess, her co-star Chris McNally, the ball gowns and tiaras, of course the wave. We also talked about my personal favorite Hallmark movie "You're Bacon Me Crazy". What it was like working with Michael Rady, cooking skills and more. And last but certainly not least we talked about A Road Trip Romance. Some behind the scenes adventures, what it was like working as a new mom and her costar Corey Sevier and more. May is AAPI month. On Instagram I have made collages highlighting actors of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. Check it out on Hallmarkheartbeats. I will also be posting videos on Tiktok that goes more in depth of each actor's heritage and their hallmark roles. Again the screenname there is hallmarkheartbeats. Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats

This week, I review Hallmark Channel's newest movie Warming up to You starring Cindy Busby, Christopher Russell, Devon Alexander, Caitlyn Stryker and LaTonya Williams. Directed by Christie Will Wolf.

I had very low expectations with this movie. Between the fat shaming in the promos and the fat suit on Chris, I had a feeling I wasn't going to like it. But I gave it a try anyway.

Movie was ok. It was not the worst Hallmark movie of 2022. Still belongs to another Chris Russell movie "Where Your Heart Belongs".

I liked the chemistry between Chris and Cindy. This is their third movie together, so it has to be there. Lol.

The scenery was beautiful. and I can't believe they inserted a Bridgerton reference on a Hallmark movie. Like WHat?!?!

But I didn't like the ableism, fat shaming, "exercise cures everything even depression" which it doesn't. So much eek.

There were some awkwardness too in plenty of scenes. Like the play fighting and stuff.

I would like to see Cindy and Chris in other movies with costars they've never worked with before. I feel like between the scenery and the same cast, this felt like Chasing Waterfalls 2.

I would like to see Cindy work with Nathan Witte next. And Chris with Nikki DeLoach. I think giving both actors a different scene partner would be nice.

Gave it 2/5 stars.

May is AAPI month. On Instagram I have made collages highlighting actors of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. Check it out on Hallmarkheartbeats.

I will also be posting videos on Tiktok that goes more in depth of each actor's heritage and their hallmark roles. Again the screenname there is hallmarkheartbeats.

Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433

Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts.

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats