*Kim Fields and Adrian Holmes are spreading a bit of holiday cheer this month with their Lifetime movie “You Light Up My Christmas,” which is inspired by a true story.
Directed by Rhonda F. Baraka, the film is part of the Lifetime’s annual It’s a Wonderful Lifetime programming event, kicking off October 25 through December 25, and featuring some of television and music’s most beloved stars.
This project also reunites Kim with her “Facts of Life” co-stars — peep the clip below.
“The network was very excited and very adamant that they wanted me on the air this Christmas,” Fields explained to EUR/Electronic Urban Report, when asked what compelled her to sign on for this role. “I don’t take that lightly. That really meant a lot to me, to hear executives say that.”
Fields stars as Emma Simmons, a Phoenix-based real estate broker who returns to her hometown of Cherry Creek two weeks before Christmas and realizes that her family’s pioneer Christmas light factory is on the verge of closing. During her stay, Emma reconnects with Ben Shields (Holmes), her childhood friend and high school sweetheart whose heart she broke when she left Cherry Creek without any warning or explanation. Will Emma and Ben rekindle their love and work together to help Cherry Creek find its light again?
OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: Kamali Thompson: National Fencing Champion Gives Us a Glimpse Inside Her Training Regimen – VIDEO
“It’s primarily a love story, about a woman who comes back home and how her town affects her and also how she affects her town,” Fields says. “It’s a story of rediscovery of love, because often times, especially women, we get into that thing of ‘I’m not going back.’ And sometimes that’s okay because you’re not the same people and it’s not the same situations and circumstances. Sometimes it is okay to revisit love, and I love that Ben and Emma do that.”
But how does Ben really feel about his ex returning home?
“Even though they had their differences in the past, there’s always been that underlying feeling that there’s still something special between them that’s undeniable,” says Adrian. “So when she comes back to town, there’s a joy that he has because he’s always had love for Emma but he also doesn’t want to get hurt again. He wants to understand why she’s back in town. What is her real purpose and mission in coming back? Is she going to leave again or he is going to be with her and evolve? He’s being very cautious.”
While Ben feels the need to protect his heart, Emma is on a mission to help restore the town’s festive spirit.
“I really loved the idea of reminding people of their inner light at a time when it seems like everyone is coasting through life with no real joy between the cynicism of social media and the way people respond to circumstances; such as life is not where you thought you would be or you’re dealing with loss or transition, all sorts of things that contribute to what feels like the dimming of your inner light,” Fields explains. “ I really like the idea of utilizing a Christmas movie and my character’s family having this Christmas light factor, to kind of remind people of that and be able to present that message in a way that they don’t see it coming. The true story aspect of how Christmas Lights came to be was very intriguing and a lot of people don’t know it, and I really love the fact that put that in our world and attributed it to an African-American man.”
Like most holiday movies, family and love are at the core of the story. But for this tale, “family is such a broad stroke in that it’s a different type of family connection,” Fields says.
“During the holiday season, people are usually more open to kindness and love and compassion, and not so set in their ways. Not so hardened. So with this story, you will definitely get a sense of family, even family that you may not be blood related to. With Emma, both of her parents are now gone. This is her first holiday without them. So being connected to Ben’s family the way that she is, and the way that they take her in, and how the town and her friends really connect with her, is so strong. Family is such a broad stroke in that it’s a different type of family connection. I feel like that definitely comes across in this movie.”
Adrian notes that “Christmas movies have so much spirit in them,” with Fields adding that every day of filming “felt like Christmas Eve.”
“Sometimes I couldn’t go to sleep at night because I was so excited about what was going to happen tomorrow,” Fields adds. “Ya know, what magic were we going to create. I was so excited about the work that we were doing and what we were going to present to the masses. I feel like this film is going to have an amazing impact.”
Especially on “people that the holidays are challenging for because they put themselves in positions where they’re overwhelmed, or they’re overspending or over extending themselves, or people who are in a challenging place because of loss, we check all those boxes, and we invite them into our world and our family and our love,” Fields says.
If you missed the premiere Sunday night, the encore presentation airs Dec. 3 at 8pm ET and again on Dec 15.
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
