With 40 new Christmas movies coming from Hallmark this year (not to mention those on the other networks), we are bound to discover some new talent in both the leading roles as well as the supporting cast. Therefore, in anticipation of Nostalgic Christmas which premieres tonight (October 31st) on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and on November 1st on the W Network, it is my honor to present to you Tara Joshi, who will be featured on the Hallmark network tonight in addition to another holiday movie later on this season. Recently, I caught up with this gifted beauty, and I am thrilled to share her with my readers today!
RH: Why/How did you decide to pursue a career as an actress? What kind of training have you had to prepare you for this career?
TJ: Ever since I was young, this is what I wanted to do. I grew up in Alberta, and as a competitive dancer, I LOVED the stage. I trained in every form of dance from ballet to hip hop, jazz, and tap- I lived and breathed it. When I was seventeen, I moved to Toronto and started out dancing in musical theatre shows, but I really wanted to do more film and TV acting, so I started to audition more in that realm.
After I booked a few things, I knew my passion was more in acting than dance, and I made the transition over to focusing on that.
I trained with all kinds of teachers in Toronto and Los Angeles, audition classes, doing on-camera work, classes on breaking down a script. I still love taking classes and workshops from different coaches. Keeping your tools sharp is essential to being an actor, and I love learning from as many people as I can!
What was your first professional on-screen role and what are your memories of working on that project?
Baxter
I booked a few commercials and small parts on indies {independent films} when I was first starting out, but when I booked Baxter (Family Channel/Disney), I was over the moon! I played Jenna Jacovitch who was the high school drama queen. She was fun and feisty, and to this day still one of my favourite characters I have ever gotten to play. Getting to work on that set every day was amazing. I learned so much about the film and TV world and had the opportunity to collaborate with incredible actors and directors, some of whom remain my closest friends today.
Shadowhunters
I see you were a part of Shadowhunters. Why do you believe this show was so popular with the fans? What did you enjoy about this series?
Ah, that was a fun one! Although, I do wish they gave me some powers on that show…! Shadowhunters did an excellent job of casting such diverse characters and telling really fun stories. The actors on the show are fabulous, and I always love seeing strong female characters in TV!
What would you consider as some of your other significant roles so far and why do those stand out?
V Morgan is Dead (KindaTV) is one that comes to mind as it was my first role as the lead which was a totally new ballgame for me. We shot over twenty short-form episodes in three days, and it was like the acting Olympics! I was in almost every scene, and it was such a lesson in being in the moment, connecting with the other actor(s) and just letting go!
We are about to see you in two Christmas films this season, including your first Hallmark movie. What do you enjoy about this time of year?
Nostalgic Christmas
Behind-the-scenes
It’s so exciting! I can’t wait for everyone to see these. Christmas is such a magical time of year, isn’t it? I feel like I get to prolong the excitement with these movies coming out. I am not big on gifts or presents (I know..) and instead love getting to spend time with family and friends. I always go home to Alberta during Christmas and even though it’s freezing, my favourite thing is just seeing everyone, catching up, and drinking that boozy egg nog!
Please tell us about your Christmas movies and your character. Why do you believe the viewers will enjoy these movies?
Nostalgic Christmas
First up is Nostalgic Christmas starring Trevor Donovan (Keith) and Brooke D’Orsay (Anne) who were an absolute dream to work with. I play Colleen – Anne’s best friend from high school – who is a lover of all things Christmas. When Anne comes to town to help pack up her dad’s wooden toy store during the holidays, I convince (okay maybe manipulate…) Anne and Keith into heading up the Christmas Committee for the year and of course sparks fly (Which I notice and love to point out at every opportunity)! Woven into all of this is the possible sale of the town’s mill, and if Anne will stay and run her dad’s store after all….
Then in December, I play TARA in Grounded for Christmas on Lifetime- yes Tara playing “Tara” was a constant joke on set….at least people knew my name! Grounded for Christmas stars Julianna Guill, Corey Sevier, and Cheryl Ladd! That was very cool. Everyone was great, and Cheryl was so sweet and talented. In GFC, Julianne’s character, Nina, is a pilot and due to a horrible winter storm gets grounded near her parents’ home with fellow pilot, Brady. She isn’t keen to spend the holidays with her family since her ex-boyfriend is going to be there! So she tells a tiny white lie, makes Brady her faux-boyfriend, and hilarity ensues. It is such a cute, fun movie, and I am in there as her sassy, work bestie.
I think these movies are fun and sweet, and exactly the kind of escape that some people need right now. Christmas embodies so much for so many, and I love that I get to be a small part of the holidays for some people this year.
Any other upcoming roles you can mention?
I have a couple of things down the pipeline that I can talk about soon, follow me {links below} for more updates!
Who are your role models in the film/TV industry and what have you learned from them?
Private Eyes
I learn something from everyone I work with, and I have had the opportunity to work with not only fantastic actors but really great directors! Both JB Sugar (Nostalgic Christmas) and Amyn Kaderali (Grounded for Christmas) had such a vision and were both “actor” directors which I also appreciate.
Working with Jason Priestley on Private Eyes was such an eye-opening experience. He is so nice and kind to everyone on set, and it reminded me that at the end of the day we are all there to do a job and create something together- working in film and tv is a blessing that I try to never take for granted.
If you could spend the holidays anywhere in the world, where would you go and who would you take with you?
I recently went to Ireland, and have caught a bit of the travel bug…so I would have to say somewhere in Europe- either Paris, or Portugal or Spain or Rome…or anywhere!! My husband is the perfect travel buddy, and I am excited to go anywhere with him.
Could Tara be any more energetic, beautiful, or sweet? Well, the indisputable response to that query is ABSOLUTELY NOT! This woman is the ideal addition to the Hallmark network, and why I have not heard of her previously is beyond me. I believe we are only scratching the surface where Tara is concerned, and I tend to believe that many wondrous opportunities are on the horizon for this promising young artist. Her humble and teachable spirit radiates to everyone who comes in contact with her, and I am ecstatic about seeing her tonight in the new Hallmark Christmas movie (as well as the Lifetime one later on this season)!
I hope that everyone tunes in to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries tonight (October 31st) or the W Network tomorrow night (November 1st) for what is purported to be yet another instant Hallmark classic, Nostalgic Christmas. And while we anticipate all that is in the near and distant future for her, be sure that you check out her links below and consider following her where you can. Tara is most active on Instagram, but maybe we Hallmarkies can encourage her to do some live tweeting and even post on Facebook on occasion. No matter what, I believe Hallmark has introduced us to yet another blossoming star, and it would appear her future is brimming with dreams and hopes fulfilled. In short, I hope that we will band together to support her in all her endeavors.
FOLLOW TARA
