Who watched Two Turtle Doves last Friday (November 1st) on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Network? Did anyone notice that the incredible trio (Nikki DeLoach, Michael Rady, and Michaela Russel) combined forces yet again for another phenomenal film? You might remember that their first film aired earlier this year, Love To the Rescue. Well, it just so happens that I had the opportunity to interview the engaging Michaela, and even though the premiere date has already past, I have no doubt that Hallmark fans are going to find this delightful, talented young lady an absolute dream as her career continues to progress!
Michaela Russell Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Steven Ackerman
RH: Please tell us how and why you decided to try to become an actress.
© AGpicture Aiva Genys
MR: Well, first, I decided that whatever I wanted to do in the future, I wanted to begin now. I realized that I needed to do something I love to do, be happy, and still make money for my future. I knew that I LOVED to perform, so I decided that I should try to do the acting business. I went online and found Backstage, then I had my parents sign me up. The first time I ever went on set I LOVED it!
What was your first professional on-screen role and what are your memories of it?
My first set to work on was Ant-Man and The Wasp. Then I did several commercials, but my first on-screen ROLE was in a TV series that was filmed earlier this year. I don’t know if I can say much about it because it’s not out yet. But I do know that I remember it was a night shoot and we got home at midnight…THEN, we had to be up EARLY and in Savannah, GA at 2:00 the next day for a fitting for Love to the Rescue! I realized that I loved to be on set and I wanted to do even more. When I worked at Marvel on Ant-Man and The Wasp, it was so much fun! I met some really nice people (Besides Nikki {DeLoach}and Michael {Rady}) 😉 named Lars, (The 1st AD) and Pez ( 2nd 2nd AD), and they were so funny. To be honest, they really helped inspire my career. I knew after working with them and the entire team, I knew this was what I wanted to do–and my passion.
Michael Rady, Nikki DeLoach, Max Lvutin, Michaela Russell, Zipp Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Seth Johnson
What did you know about Hallmark before making Love to the Rescue?
I knew that Hallmark was a channel that streams romance/family movies. My mom and I always watch Hallmark movies at Christmas. She fills the DVR up with them every Christmas and the whole family watches together. It’s been a wish and dream since I started acting that one day I could be in a Hallmark Christmas movie!
What was your favorite part of filming Love to the Rescue? What was it like working with Nikki and Michael?
Max Lvutin, Michaela Russell Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Seth Johnson
My favorite part about filming Love to the Rescue was the people I worked with. Everyone was so sweet and kind to me, and there was just a happy vibe on set. Now don’t even get me started on Nikki and my dance parties! We would always jam-out to awesome songs whenever we were in hair and makeup together! Working with Nikki and Michael is just unexplainable. There is not even a word to describe the joy they bring me when we’re together. I’m forever thankful to Hallmark for them.
Nikki DeLoach, Michaela Russell Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Steven Ackerman
The first time I met Nikki was on the sidewalk in front of our trailers. The first thing she said to me were lines from the movie. I responded with my lines. She picked me up, hugged me and I knew she was meant to be in my life. Nikki has become not only a role model, a mentor, AND family to me. She is a gift.
Recently, we saw you in another Nikki/Michael Hallmark movie. How did you get to get to work with this team a second time?
Michaela Russell Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Steven Ackerman
One Saturday morning my mom opened her email to find I had an audition invitation for a Christmas movie to be filmed in Winnipeg, Canada. The role was “Mikayla”. It was an eight-page audition and I had to learn it that day in order to tape it the next day, but I was so excited to do it that even if it meant staying up past ten at night I would do it (I had dance rehearsals for several hours that day, too!), I have to thank Nikki and so many at Hallmark for this opportunity to work together again– and Ashley, Brett, Stan Spry and the writer Sarah Montana (and probably others I do not know about) that made this possible. I had no idea we would be working together until we got to Winnipeg! I was soooo happy!!!! I cried, I was so happy!
Michaela Russell, Michael Rady Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Steven Ackerman
Please tell us about Two Turtle Doves and how your character figures into it. Any special behind-the-scenes stories you can share?
My character is Sam’s (Michael’s) daughter. I figure into it by encouraging and helping Sharon (Nikki) like I had helped her Grandma. Some behind-the-scenes fun was when we were riding home in the van right after we wrapped. We all had flights to catch that day and were all exhausted. but Nikki put on her old classic songs and somehow we all were singing along to classics such as “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by the Four Tops.
Any other upcoming works you can mention?
Yes, I recently filmed another movie called Game Changer, and it comes out next year. It is a family-friendly sports comedy/drama. The best part about this film is that it plans to give the majority of its profits to charity with a focus on youth. I was so thankful to get the opportunity to work on another film where the whole family can watch together!
Michael Rady, Nikki DeLoach, Michaela Russell Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Steven Ackerman
How does school work for you when you’re filming?
I am online/homeschooled, so I always do my school at home, or anywhere. So when I’m on set, it’s no different. I just do all of my school online. My teachers are there to answer questions online if necessary. Plus, we have a set teacher when we are filming.
What are your favorite holiday family traditions?
My favorite holiday traditions are putting the Christmas trees up the day after Thanksgiving, baking my MaMaw’s holiday cookies, and of course, the countdown tree lighting!
What do you like to do for fun in your free time?
I like to dance, do crafts, draw, read, play with my friends, and sew.
There is no doubt in my mind that Michaela is off to an extraordinary start to her acting career, and I can only imagine what the forthcoming years hold in store for this young starlet. The fact that Michaela has bonded with Nikki and Michael in the way she has expresses all I need to know. Not only that, she has the endorsement of Nikki herself, who is already recognizing Michaela for the innate talent she possesses. At Michaela’s tender age, she has already begun to illuminate her light brilliantly and make the most of every experience she is given. Nothing is taken for granted, and her prudence and acumen are impressive, to say the least.
If you were unable to tune in to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries this past weekend for the premiere of Two Turtle Doves, never fear! More showings can be found here, the first of which is November 6th. Also, the Canadian premiere will occur on November 9th on the W Network. In addition to that, please visit Michaela links below and consider following her on social media, which is usually kept reasonably up-to-date with her upcoming movies and shows. As far as I’m concerned, Michaela is the budding entertainer to watch in the near and distant future. Moreover, since it would appear she has found a companionable home with Hallmark, undoubtedly, we will continue to observe her prowess on screen in the near and distant future across the entire spectrum of this family-friendly network and beyond!
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