Jenna Bush Hager finally gave fans the inside scoop on the highly-awaited Hallmark Christmas movie Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.
During Monday’s episode of the Today show, which fell on Bush Hager’s 43rd birthday, the beloved co-host and author took fans on a tour of the set, her trailer and gave viewers an up-close-and-personal look at what it’s really like backstage of a Hallmark production.
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“It was Christmas in July at Arrowhead Stadium,” the former first daughter began in the clip from the morning talk show’s Nov. 25 episode, adding that despite the “100-degree heat” with the thousands of cast and crew inside the stadium, “The feel transformed into a movie set.”
She then clarified that while Hallmark’s upcoming film isn’t based on three-time Super Bowl champ and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce‘s romance with Taylor Swift, it’s certainly “playing into the hype.” It does have one connection to the NFL star, though, his mother, who was also cast in the film—a topic Parade discussed with the media personality earlier this fall.
Previously, Bush Hager described working with Donna Kelce as “the loveliest” but remained relatively tight-lipped on her role in the film. That was until now, as seemingly in honor of her birthday and the film’s premiere later this week, the NBC talk show revealed that Bush Hager will take on the role of an emcee for her big movie debut.
The segment continued with a peek inside Bush Hager’s trailer before documenting her life on set as dictated by the many appointments on her call sheet, including a snippet of her costume fitting with the designer.
“I feel it’s really getting me into character,” she said while donning a white winter-weight wool coat outfitted with a red Chiefs pin on the lapel.
Bush Hager then got the “full movie star treatment” with hair and makeup before heading off to the casting tent to review an official copy of the script, where she practiced her lines repeatedly for the camera. “Ladies and gentlemen,” she said in her best announcer voice. “Please turn your attention to mid-field.”
“I’m ready,” she joked.
The Today show’s special behind-the-scenes preview also featured some advice from Hallmark stars, an appearance by the Chiefs head coach, Andy Reid, and a run-through on set with the director, John Putch.
“It was so fun,” Bush Hager later told her co-stars. “Everybody there was so nice because even though I only had three lines, I definitely messed some things up, and they were patient with me.”
To see all the holiday magic come together, tune in to Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story set to premiere on Saturday, Nov. 30, at 8 p.m. ET on the Hallmark Channel.
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