Over the past few years, I have had the glorious opportunity to chat with many marvelous actresses, and there are a few with whom I have connected on a rather profound level. In the case of Nikki DeLoach, I cannot think of a more beautiful, talented, and extraordinary human being than this lovely and amazing artist, who wholeheartedly embodies the very essence of the Hallmark network. While my admiration of her has been heartfelt and enduring, I was frankly quite honored to discover that she was willing to take some time out of her insanely busy schedule to do an interview right before the premiere of her most recent Hallmark Channel movie, Reunited At Christmas. While the movie debuted on the network last night (November 21st), I am elated to present our interview in anticipation of future showings of the film and as a way to reflect upon what is easily one of my new favorite Hallmark Christmas movies.

Nikki DeLoach Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Sven Boecker

RH: Nikki, I’m so glad that we got to chat before your Christmas movie premiered on Hallmark.

ND: Ruth, so am I! I know it’s a busy time of year, and I’m glad we could make it work.

And before I forget, I want to go on the record as saying that you were phenomenal in Truly, Madly, Sweetly. I’m so glad the fans loved it and that the ratings were so good.

Photo: Dylan Neal, Nikki DeLoach Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

Thank you, Ruth. I was really happy about that too. I could not believe it. We were one of the highest-rated Harvest films ever. And I was really happy for Dylan {Neal}. He’s so good at what he does. He’s such a great producer, and he really puts his heart and his energy into everything that he does. And now I have that firsthand experience of being a producer. When it turns out and people love it, you have this sense of extra pride. I mean, as an actor, you’re happy. But when you’ve given birth to the seed of an idea and then you see it through all the way to the end and then people like it, I mean, it’s incredible!

If I remember right, the idea for Reunited At Christmas was from an idea that you had.

Mike Faiola; Eileen Pedde; Nikki DeLoach; Andrew Airlie; Lisa Durupt; Noel Johansen Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

Yes, I went to Hallmark with the idea that I wanted to make an ensemble film, and I really wanted to tell the story of a family. Hallmark is very romance-driven, and in this film, the “A” storyline is still the romance. But I really wanted a very full, strong “B” storyline that tells the story of the whole family and what has happened to them when they experience the holiday shuffle. And the holiday shuffle can take many different forms in many different ways. For this specific family, their parents got divorced. For other families, people move away, people get married, people go to different places. They decide, “Oh, this year, we don’t want to travel anywhere. We just want to stay home.” But for whatever reason, family members just get dispersed over the holidays, and sometimes it goes on for years and years and years.

So I wanted to tell a story about what happens to a family when they are brought back together again for the holidays and they haven’t been together in a long time. I wanted people to be able to relate to the tension or the fun that comes up with that. Or the history that is brought up as a result of the family getting back together. Mostly, with this movie, I want people to see the importance of making the effort to be with your family over the holidays. It’s a different sort of story for Hallmark. They mostly focus on the romance in their movies, and they only really in their TV series get into the whole family and telling multiple storylines. So I was so grateful that they were like, “Yeah, let’s tell this story of this family.”

Nikki DeLoach; Noel Johansen Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

Also, I have to say that it was really cool to get on set with the crew and the cast and hear everybody talking about how excited they were to be a part of the movie because of what we wanted to do with it. It was different. The crew was so excited, and the cast was so excited. So many interviewers who have either read the script or seen the movie agree that it is definitely different and also amazing for Hallmark. Everyone seems to love this movie so much. And that has filled my heart with so much joy because it means that they got it. They got the message of the film.

Nikki DeLoach Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

I am also very excited about the film, Nikki. Over the years, there have been a select few holiday films that deal with family and are not as romance driven, and those are always nice movies for a change. Of course, I absolutely love the romances, but it’s nice to focus on the family, especially during the holidays. While I haven’t had a chance to see the film as of yet, I know I’m looking forward to seeing it. I have no doubt that I’m gonna enjoy it. Honestly, so far, I’ve enjoyed everything Hallmark has done for the holidays this year, and I am sure this will be just as good if not better. After all, you’re involved with it, and even though it may sound cheesy, there are special people I know that if they’re involved with a production, I’m guaranteed to like it. And you’re one of those special people, Nikki.

Thank you for saying that, Ruth.

You’re welcome, Nikki, and know that I am sincere in saying that. Now, I understand that you got Lisa {Durupt} to come and play your sister, right?

Noel Johansen; Nikki DeLoach; Lisa Durupt Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

Yes, oh yes! This is the thing that is so cool about this movie is the cast. I completely, one hundred percent, without a doubt knew who my sister would be. Lisa Durupt was the choice from the get-go. I love her; she is so talented. I would literally do every movie of my life with her. For me, working with her is like working with family. Also, she elevates anything that you do. I knew that she was gonna bring it; she was gonna be so good. So it was about the personal and the professional. I love her like a sister, but also, she’s so great. She was a no-brainer choice.

Then we started getting into the dad role. Andrew Airlie was one that we found in the process. I was floored that he said yes. But also, this man is so talented, Ruth. You are going to fall in love with him in this movie.

Nikki, I know what you mean. You don’t have to sell Andrew to me. I know exactly who he is, and he is incredible.

Andrew Airlie; Mike Faiola; Nikki DeLoach; Noel Johansen; Lisa Durupt; Eileen Pedde Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

His storyline with Eileen Pedde…and by the way, this is her first Hallmark movie. She came into the room, and instantly when she left the room, I turned to the other producer and said, “That’s my mom.” One hundred percent, without a doubt. There were a lot of names that were being tossed around–lots of amazing, wonderful actresses–but I kept saying that Eileen was our person. I knew it in the fabric of my being. When she was giving her performance during the audition, I was sitting on the couch thinking, “I want to be this woman’s daughter.”

Her storyline with Andrew is incredible. They’re a couple who divorced, and it wasn’t even what would be considered a difficult divorce. The kids left the house, and they experienced “empty nest,” and they just grew apart over the years. I think this is a story that so many people can relate to. And this is the first time they’ve seen each other since that happened. So you watch these two people, and you wonder, “Where does the love lie at this point between them? Can they come together and put their issues aside to have a great Christmas?” And the biggest question of all: “What happens at the end? Does it bring them closer?” You get to explore all these questions, and these two actors just nailed it. They are my favorite storyline in the whole film. And I think many people are going to connect with their story and their performance.

Wow, I’m really looking forward to their storyline now. But then of course, not only did you star in it, but you were also the executive producer.

Yes, that is correct.

Is there anything you can tell us about your character in the film?

Nikki DeLoach Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

Sure. First of all, I wanted her to be an actual storyteller. I wanted a big through line of this movie to be about legacy and how you preserve that family legacy. For me, it’s telling stories and then passing them along in some way, shape or form. Whether you’re a writer or you tell the stories at the dinner table or whether you make movies about them. We’re all storytellers in our own way.

So I wanted my character, Samantha, to be a storyteller so I could talk about preserving the legacy of someone that you love and who meant a lot to you. In her case, it’s her grandmother–her Nana–who passes away. At the beginning of the movie, we find Samantha being offered a really great opportunity to eventually write her second novel and have it be about Christmas. Her publishing company likes to do these Christmas romances that are very popular with their readers, and they offer Samantha the chance to write one because her first novel did so well. So this is a big opportunity for her, but the only problem is that Christmas hasn’t felt like Christmas in a very long time. Her family hasn’t been together and her grandmother who did so much for Christmas and made it magical year after year has passed away. And Sam is feeling a little lost. She is concentrating on the idea that she writes from a place that is real and authentic, so she’s very anxious about the opportunity that she has been given.

At the same time, she has been given another opportunity because her grandmother has passed away and her dying wish was for the whole family to get together to spend one last Christmas together celebrating all the different traditions they used to do together. So she’s got these parallel journeys of trying to write a Christmas book and at the same time reliving Christmas for the first time in a long time.

So in addition to the family legacy, I did add in the romance aspect with Simon. I really wanted to tell the story of someone who is scared to say “I do” and make that leap. A lot of times in Hallmark movies and in romantic comedies in general, we see a woman who’s ready to get married. We see a woman who is waiting to say “I do,” and she’s just waiting for the man to catch up. It’s not as often that we see the woman as being the one who is scared. And the reason she is scared is that she’s experienced heartbreak in the past, but she’s also scared of ending up like her parents.

Nikki DeLoach; Mike Faiola Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

So spoiler alert: in the beginning of the movie, she agrees to marry Simon. And that’s the moment when most women jump up and down. But for her, her heart is torn in two different directions. I wanted to show that woman a little bit because that woman was me. I was so scared of saying “yes,” and I was scared of marriage and all the things that came with it. Now, it ended up being the best decision I ever made. I love being married, but I never thought I would say that I love being married because I was so scared of it. So it came from a very personal place of a person who just didn’t want to fail. And then at the end of the day, the lesson that she has to learn is…and she learns this through her mom…her mom tells her to look at what her father and mother did and how that’s not failure. They had these beautiful years of being married and they gave birth to two incredible kids who filled their hearts with such joy. No matter how you look at it, that’s success. And I thought that was so beautiful for everyone watching who comes from a family where the parents have gotten divorced. It explores the idea of, “Wow, look at all the good that came from these people coming together.”

And what you’re saying, Nikki, resonates with me completely. I know I’ll truly connect with the storyline and I’m sure many of the viewers will as well. So tell me about the actor who plays Simon.

With Mike Awkward

Well, Mike Faiola and I were on a TV show called Awkward. And for like six years on that show, he played my husband. Awkward was a single cam comedy on MTV that did very well. The show won People’s Choice Awards, and we were the parents on that show.

I’ve actually known Mike for a very long time, and when we were thinking about guys for this film, he was at the very top of my list for many reasons. Most importantly, I knew he would come in and he would do the work. He would know his lines. He would do a great job with the role, and we already knew we had chemistry.

But also when you’re doing movies like this, sometimes they’re really tough. Truly, Madly, Sweetly was so easy and so effortless. There was nothing that we rubbed up against. But this movie was really tough. I knew that I needed a cast that would go, “Yeah, whatever, cool.” Good attitude, ready to be there for anything or jump to any scene and just be team players across the board. And that’s Mike. He’s a team player, happy to be here, grateful. He treats everyone with a lot of respect and a lot of kindness. That’s very important to me as well. And it was also my personal connection with him that made me want to reach out to him and see if he wanted to do the movie. And thankfully for us, he did!

Although I didn’t see Awkward, I remember him from a Hallmark movie from a couple years ago that was very different, but I liked him in it. I think the fans might remember him from Love Always, Santa. I’m sure many of the fans have followed yours and his career and know all about Awkward, unlike me, but for those who haven’t, hopefully, they either know Mike from that Hallmark Christmas movie or they will be open to getting to know who he is through this movie.

Chance Hurstfield, Nikki Deloach, Andrew Walker Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Kailey Schwerman

Oh, that’s great to know. Honestly, we have such a phenomenal cast in this movie. And then on top of that, we were lucky enough to get Steven Monroe to direct it. I absolutely love him; he’s a dear friend of mine. He also directed The Perfect Catch, and I don’t know if I ever mentioned to you the difficulty of doing that movie. It was a baseball movie where we were supposed to be outside the entire time. And we shot it at a time in Vancouver where it either rained, snowed, or hailed every single day of the thirty-day production. The fact that this man made this movie look great, but he also did not let the elements of the day get to him…you know, he was super calm. He just changed the day as he needed to. He was kind to people throughout. And by the way, that’s not usual. I mean, most directors would be losing their minds and they would probably be behind schedule. It would be so insane. And he was like, “This is what we’re gonna do.” And he made it work and made it look like not a single drop of rain had fallen on the set. So when you go into anything like this, especially when you’re the producer, my whole thing is to surround myself with people who are better and smarter than me.

Nikki, I so hear you on that. And you’re also being very humble in saying that. Some people want to be the stars and they want to receive all the credit. But it’s so clear with you, Nikki, that it’s hard to get you to talk about yourself! You want to talk about everybody else. And that is such a wonderful quality. And thankfully there are a lot of wonderful people like that at Hallmark and elsewhere. I think that’s great that you have that mindset.

Nikki DeLoach; Mike Faiola Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

Ah, thank you so much. And you know, it’s important. For me, it feels like I’m sometimes a teacher. And I can do that for a living. I teach at UCLA, and I teach in an acting studio. So while I teach, I also feel like I’m always the student, and I love that position. Here’s the thing. You never master anything. There’s always room to learn and to grow, and there’s always people around who can teach you. So that’s how I come at it.

So a person like Steven Monroe, I like watching him come in and seeing how he does his job. We had a lot of days, Ruth, on this set…we had four departments that were very green and still learning what was expected of them. We would have days where we would show up and a whole set wasn’t dressed yet. So we had to dress the entire set. Then we were four hours behind. Then locations told us we had to be out by 5:45 when we thought we had till ten o’clock. So that meant we had four hours to shoot eight pages. And in those moments, I’m like, “Wait a second. This is why I surround myself with people who are better than me.”

That’s when everybody came together. You look at Steven, your DP, and you ask, “Okay, what are we gonna do?” At that point, I knew I could take all of these eight pages and combine them into one large scene. So off I went to my trailer, and I rewrote those pages. Then Steve was like, “Okay, let me see what I have to get so that I can put together this whole entire scene.” He focused on the shots he absolutely had to get. Then the DP was like, “Okay, the whole skating rink is no longer dressed.” And so we only were able to shoot the half that was dressed and make it look like a full skating rink. Everyone was literally coming together to make something work. Those moments can be stressful, but actually, at the end of the day, if you have surrounded yourself with people who are team players with great attitudes who just want to make a good movie and who understand that we’re not saving lives. We’re trying to make people happy with our entertainment. Then it can actually be a really beautiful experience. At the end of the day, we made it work and it looks great. And we all ended up going home early because we couldn’t stay at the skating rink shooting till ten o’clock that night. So it ended up being a great day. And that’s why I am always humbled by people that decide to say “yes” or that I get to work with or that I get to talk to. Even people like you, Ruth.

Nikki DeLoach Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

Nikki, thank you. It’s lovely to talk to you too. And in so many ways, what you’re saying demonstrates why I think so highly of you. We’re on the same page on so many things, and I understand exactly what you’re talking about. I don’t always connect with everyone I interview, but it’s lovely when that happens. And you’re one I definitely enjoy talking with. Also, you are such an encouragement to me. I see you doing all this and on those days when I get overwhelmed and think, “I can’t do this,” I can look at someone like you and think, “Well, if Nikki can do it, I can doit.”

Of course, you can do it, Ruth. And thanks for saying all that. It means a lot.

So, Nikki, is there anything else coming up that we can see you in besides Reunited At Christmas?

Not for this Christmas season. But keep watching for details on my next movie as I am certain there will be more in the near future. I cannot say too much at present, but this movie was my first time to executive produce, and I don’t plan on it being my last.

Mike Faiola; Nikki DeLoach Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

Well, that’s good news. The fans and I will definitely look forward to that announcement. Does your family have anything special planned for Christmas this year?

Well, this year, since my little one had his second heart surgery in October, we can’t travel again for Christmas. It’s just killing me and it’s heartbreaking. And not just because I love to be with my family. I literally produced a movie about how important it is to be with family. But also my dad has Pick’s Disease, which is a very rare and aggressive form of dementia, and next year, he will not remember who I am. So this is the last Christmas where he still knows me and he still knows his kids. And it’s killing me to not be able to get home. But it looks like my work schedule may work out that my mom and dad can visit me in January and be able to spend a lot of time with them. It won’t be Christmas, but at the end of the day, it’s not about the time and place, it’s about the time in general.

Mike Faiola; Nikki DeLoach Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

I’m so sorry, Nikki, that you and your family are going through that.

You know, in life, there are lots of things that people are going through, and there are lots of hard things. And until you start talking about them, you don’t really know what other people are going through. Then you both open up about your stories, and you realize there are a lot of people going through really hard things. You’re not the only one, and it’s such a blessing to hear other people’s stories. And it’s so humbling. And that’s why I think it’s important to always wake up and walk out your front door being open to compassion and kindness. Because you never know what life the people you meet throughout the day are living.

Nikki, thank you so much for making this time happen. It really means so much to me. I appreciate your insight and just the fact that you’re taking the time to really share.

Ruth, it is wonderful getting to chat with you. I’m glad we made it work, and I can hardly wait to hear what everyone thinks of Reunited At Christmas.

Andrew Airlie; Eileen Pedde; Santa Clause; Lisa Durupt; Noel Johansen; Nikki DeLoach; Mike Faiola Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

Shortly after chatting with Nikki, I had the supreme pleasure of tuning in with everyone else and watching the Hallmark Channel premiere of Reunited At Christmas, and I have to maintain that this movie DID NOT disappoint. While Nikki, Lisa, and Andrew made this film immensely enjoyable and heartfelt, this movie transcended the purpose and message of the vast majority of lighter romantic comedies that pepper this channel during the holiday season. Reunited At Christmas brought actual tears to my eyes, and I summarily recommend this film to all of my friends and family.

Lest I forget, however, this interview was with a woman who has infiltrated my heart in a gently authentic way. Typically, I don’t make friends easily, especially with successful leading ladies in the arts. But in the case of Nikki, she has fully embraced who I am and finds it quite natural to open up and share her heart with me. To be honest, this is a humbling experience because I look to Nikki and think, “How can I be more like her?” She is clearly one of the most giving, caring, gifted, patient, endearing women with whom I have ever connected, and the fact that she takes the time to notice someone like me who is following her passions, but it still a rather small fish swimming in the endless sea of industry professionals is something that literally blows my mind. And then when I witness the fact that she consistently treats everyone with the same loving kindness and respect, my awe for her intensifies immeasurably. While Nikki definitely has her priorities straight, she recognizes the significance of interacting with the viewers. While she does her best to carve out time to answer their questions, even more crucially, she takes the time to thank them for their overwhelming support. Nikki knows that without the fans, she wouldn’t even have the opportunity to continue making these kinds of films and shows, and she lives her life in such a way that everyone who knows her witnesses her “attitude of gratitude.”

If you happened to miss Reunited At Christmas when it debuted earlier this week on the Hallmark Channel, quickly run and check your schedule and make it a point to see this extraordinary film. Additionally, if you are in Canada, this movie will actually premiere on the W Network on December 24th! While you’re making plans to watch Reunited At Christmas when it airs again, be sure that you visit all of Nikki’s links below and consider following her if you are so inclined. While Hallmark consistently hires the best of the best and the cream of the crop, there are those certain actresses who belong in a more select group due to their talent, positivity, charm, and kindness. And Nikki has unquestionably found her way into my principal list of leading ladies in Hallmark films, and I can hardly wait to hear more about her next film project.

As she has moved into the challenging but rewarding field of executive producing in addition to the acting, I am entirely convinced that we are going to witness more distinctive roles and movies from Nikki herself, and I am extremely honored to be a part of the group that can support her works as well as experience a friendship with her. I feel I have so much to learn from her as a woman, a mother, and an industry professional, and I am more than delighted to be the one who waits in the wings and encourages her whenever I can. Furthermore, I somehow have the keen sense that I am not alone in these sentiments concerning Nikki, and viewing the unbelievable support that the fans give Nikki is something that causes my heart to surge with joy. While Nikki continues to pursue this new adventure in the world of executive producing, I am thoroughly convinced that she will hold fast to her intrinsic values and refuse to cast asunder the authenticity and integrity that comprise her innermost being. While Nikki is the very epitome of abject humility, I believe that will serve her well as she continues to pursue her passions, and I can hardly wait to see what heights her career will reach in the days, months, and years to come!

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