Recently, I had the joy of connecting with yet another young artist who is beginning to carve out a niche for herself and her skillset in the Vancouver film community. Eden Summer Gilmore, who will make her Hallmark debut in the movie It’s Christmas, Eve, is a beautiful young woman with a huge heart and a massive talent. It was my joy to speak with her recently in anticipation of this upcoming film, and before the movie premieres tonight (November 10th) on the Hallmark Channel in the U.S., I invite everyone to read our recent conversation about her career thus far.

Eden Summer Gilmore Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

RH: Eden, it is so nice to finally meet you. 

ESM: Thank you, Ruth, it’s nice to meet you too. Thanks for reaching out.

I’m sorry we didn’t get to meet in person when I was in Vancouver, but next time for sure.

I understand, but yes, that would be awesome.

with Tyler and LeAnn

Viewers are just about to see you in your first Hallmark movie It’s Christmas, Eve, and I’m so excited about it.

I’m excited too.

So how long have you been acting, Eden?

I started acting when I was five years old, mainly in commercials. But I got into TV and film about two years ago.

Do you remember what your first big role was?

Yes, my first big role was in Riverdale. I played the younger version of the main character, Betty.

That’s right. And your scene partner was Kadence Roach, who played little Polly.

Yes, and it was great to work with her.

as Little Betty

How did you get this role of little Betty?

Actually, I auditioned for Kadence’s part, little Polly. Then I got a call, and they asked me to be little Betty. So I went and filmed for that.

I see. Now were you familiar with Riverdale before you got this role?

I had read the “Archie” comics a lot, so getting this audition was pretty cool.

What was the experience like filming Riverdale?

It was so much fun because it was my first big experience on a TV/film set. It was so much fun getting to meet everyone on the cast and the crew ’cause they were all so nice.

What was the next thing that you filmed?

Supernatural

I filmed an episode of Supernatural before filming It’s Christmas, Eve.  I played Amanda Fitzmartin in episode ten of season thirteen. I was being held captive by some werewolves, and Claire Novak–played by Kathryn Newton–came and saved me.

Was that experience on Supernatural just as wonderful as I have heard from everyone who has ever been on that show?

It was so much fun. The director {Philip Sgriccia} and the entire crew were so nice. When I finally wrapped, they asked me to come to set, and they all clapped for me.  It was so amazing.

I’m so glad they did that for you, and that you had a wonderful experience. Now with It’s Christmas, Eve being your first Hallmark film, we fans are so excited to see you. I noticed there has been a Twitter conversation going on where LeAnn Rimes and/or Tyler Hynes was saying how great you were in the film. 

Eden Summer Gilmore, Tyler Hynes Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

Oh, that was so wonderful to read. I think Tyler may have started the conversation, but it is incredible.

How familiar was your family with Hallmark and their Christmas movies before you got cast in this film?

We have the W Network, which shows a lot of Hallmark Christmas movies. We always watch those Hallmark movies every Christmas. It had always been one of my big dreams to do a Hallmark movie because they looked like so much fun.

That’s amazing, Eden! And it looks like the W Network will continue showing these Hallmark movies since they have an official partnership with Hallmark now. I can’t even imagine how wonderful booking this Hallmark movie must have been.

It was sooo amazing! I went in for the first audition and thought it went pretty well. Then I came in for the callback, and it also went well. When they called my mom in, I was like, “Oh my gosh! I’m getting so excited!” And I got the call the next day that I had booked it!

LeAnn Rimes, Eden Summer Gilmore, Tyler Hynes Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

Were you familiar with LeAnn Rimes before booking this role?

Yes, I had heard one of her early songs before, so when my mom showed me who LeAnn Rimes was, I was like, “Oh, I know her.”

She started out as a singer when she was pretty young. How old are you?

I’m thirteen.

I think she was right around that age when she started her singing career. So what can you tell us about your role in It’s Christmas, Eve?

LeAnn Rimes, Eden Summer Gilmore Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

I play Abby Bailey, and Tyler Hynes plays my dad. LeAnn Rimes’ character, Eve, comes to our town, and we meet her, and the story goes on from there.

I understand you did some singing in this movie too.

Yes, I did get to sing with LeAnn.

Were these original songs that you got to sing?

They were all original songs that were written by LeAnn and her manager, Darrell Brown, who is also really nice.

How many songs did you get to sing with LeAnn?

Two songs.

Wow, that’s really awesome! I’m thinking, “How many other thirteen-year-olds can say they sang with a country superstar in a movie?” 

I know, it’s pretty cool!

Who was the director of this movie?

Tibor Takács, who was a great director.

And I recently interviewed the screenwriter, Tracy Andreen, and I know how excited she is to see the movie too.  Have you gotten to see any of the movie?

No, I haven’t. I know there have been a few clips released, but other than that, I haven’t seen the movie yet.

I can’t tell you how excited I am to see the movie. With having interviewed you, Tyler, Giles Panton, and Tracy, I am even more excited than I was! 

Of course, LeAnn and Tyler were great to work with, and while I didn’t share any scenes with Giles, I did get to meet him. He is another one who is just so nice.

Any special behind-the-scenes moments from filming that you can share?

There was a scene with me and Tyler, and when we were waiting to start filming this scene again, and we started playing “Ten Questions.” And it was really fun to get to bond with him since he played my dad. I loved that we were asking each other all these fun questions.

20 Minutes To Life

Oh, I can definitely see Tyler doing something like that! And with this movie, the Hallmark fans are going to get to know who you are. Do you have anything else upcoming that you can mention?

Yeah, I did a short film over the summer, and I played the lead. It’s called 20 Minutes To Life, and it’s premiering at the Whistler Film Festival.

That’s awesome news! We’ll keep watching for more information about that. Now, what about school? How does that work with your acting career?

I go to high school regularly, but there’s a program at my school called the AVP program. It really helps me catch up on my work because I miss a lot of school. I have a free block every day that gives me the opportunity to catch up on all my work and get my homework from my teachers. I really haven’t had much of a problem keeping up with my classes at this point. Especially with It’s Christmas, Eve because most of that was shot during my spring break.

That’s awesome. Do you take any acting classes?

Yes, I take continuous acting classes throughout the week. I have trained with various studios and private teachers and coaches. In fact, I’ve trained with Crystal Bublé who people might know as the sister of singer, Michael Bublé.

Oh, that’s amazing! What do you like to do in your free time?

I play soccer, and I take ukelele and singing lessons.

That’s really cool, Eden. It sounds like acting is something you truly enjoy and are committed to doing for right now.

I love acting, and it is something I want to continue doing even once I graduate from high school. I want to do acting forever.

That’s great, and your passion for acting definitely comes through. I’m curious. Is there anyone else in your family who has done acting or performing?

I’m actually like the first actress in my family, but my mom has done stuff behind the camera.

Again, that is just fantastic. Is there anything your mom would like to add?

Eden’s Mom: I just want everyone to know that Eden had the time of her life on It’s Christmas, Eve. Tyler and LeAnn were just so absolutely wonderfully amazing.

They were just so incredible to work with ’cause I was the only kid on set most of the time, and they were just so amazing.

Edens cat, Cookie

I’m so glad you had such a great experience. I understand, Eden, that you’re an animal lover too.

Yes, I am. Actually, I just volunteered to work at a shelter in Vancouver for orphaned cats.

Wow, Eden, you are the perfect Hallmark actress now! Hallmark is so passionate about their “Adopt, Don’t Shop” initiative. I’m glad this topic came up. Well, Eden, I can’t tell you how thrilling it was for me to chat with you and your mom today. The fans are so excited about tonight’s premiere, and I hope it makes its way to Canada very soon as well.

Me too, Ruth, and thank you for chatting with me. I hope everyone loves It’s Christmas, Eve. I can hardly wait for everyone to see it!

Having interviewed many young people over the past few years, I have come to recognize those certain youths who possess a genuine passion for film and television and those who are doing it just because it’s fun with no thought to their future aspirations. In the case of Eden, she is the quintessential young actress who is serious about doing the work while still delighting in every pleasurable and inspiring moment of her blossoming career. Thankfully, she is a young lady who is responsible and humble while still recognizing exactly how blessed she is to be in her current position. Furthermore, the fact that her parents have supported her every step of the way and have attempted to create a “normal” childhood for her is decidedly a contributing factor to why she is such a treasure. Her opportunities have been awe-inspiring and jaw-dropping, and yet for her, she continues to maintain the poise and decorum required to be a part of this electrifying but sometimes wild world known as the performing arts. 

I hope that all my U.S. readers have the chance to tune into the Hallmark Channel tonight (November 10th) and watch the premiere of It’s Christmas, Eve, in which Eden not only has a significant role in the storyline, but she gets to do some soulful singing as well. Moreover, I would invite everyone to check out all her links below and consider following this radiant beauty where applicable. I invariably affirm that Hallmark finds and features the best young people in the acting world today, and Eden is one of their more auspicious discoveries, in my opinion. I hope this is the beginning of a new era of life for Eden that ushers in even more amazing opportunities as she continues to tread the narrow path reserved for those who remain true to their ideals and their values while sustaining their genuine selves. I wish Eden and her family all the best, and here’s hoping that her career will extend long enough for her to be able to remain an actor “forever”!

FOLLOW EDEN

Twitter

Instagram

IMDb

Spread the love

Tweet