Exclusive: Jessica Lord Says Landing the Role of Pop Star Bowyn in 'Christmas in the Spotlight' Was a 'Dream Come True'

When Jessica Lord got the part of playing Bowyn, a popular musician and celebrity, in the new holiday film Christmas in the Spotlight, it's safe to say she was thrilled about the opportunity.

"Starring in Christmas in the Spotlight has been an incredible experience. Bringing Bowyn to life, a pop star with a big heart, was so much fun. I loved embodying her passion for her dreams, nonprofit work and staying true to herself — qualities that really resonate with me. One of the best parts of this project was working with my amazing cast and crew. The core group was made up of incredible women, and I just love collaborating with strong, talented women," Lord exclusively tells Morning Honey about the flick, which is inspired by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's love story. "Filming in the city where I grew up and celebrating my birthday on set surrounded by what I love to do made the experience even more special. It was a chance to merge my love for acting, singing and dancing, and I’m so proud to share this project with everyone this holiday season!"

The flick focuses on Bowyn, who is always singing about love and relationships even though she hasn't found her perfect match just yet. Between navigating fame and her busy recording schedule, she is forced to put any romances on the backburner — until she meets Drew (based on Kelce and played by Laith Wallschleger), a football player. They instantly have chemistry, with both of them giving their romance a shot.

Lord was caught off guard when she got the lead role. "My manager called to tell me I was going straight into a producer’s session. I met with the producers and auditioned on a Tuesday, and by that Friday, I got the call that I’d booked the role. The following week, I was on a plane," she shares before gushing over her character.

"From the moment I read the script, I immediately fell in love with Bowyn. I was amazed at how much I connected with her right away. The fact that landing this role meant filming in the city I grew up in, on a set where I get to work with an incredible group of women, and combine my passions of performance ... it was a dream come true."

Lord was thrilled to be able to act, sing and dance in the happy flick while "embracing the joy and nostalgia that holiday movies have always brought to me and my family."

"But what made it even more special was getting to film in the city where I grew up. Celebrating my birthday on set doing what I love most, was one for the books, and having my best friends from childhood visit me on set made it even more meaningful. It was such a unique and heartwarming experience that I’ll always cherish," she shares, noting that working with Jeannie Mai was fantastic.

"She became like a big sister to me. We immediately hit it off and got close pretty fast. She is such a beautiful woman inside and out, strong and truly inspirational. I just named a piece of jewelry for Bizouxx, after her," she adds.

Though Lord wouldn't call herself a "Swiftie," she has an "immense amount of respect" for the pop star, 34, as "an artist and person."

"She’s incredibly talented and her dedication to her craft, her fans and her philanthropic work is so inspiring. I admire how she uses her platform to uplift others and create such a meaningful connection with her audience. It’s clear why so many people are passionate about her and her music," she says of the Grammy winner, adding that she hasn't exactly kept up with Swift's love life in the past year.

Still, she is adamant that Swift and Kelce fans will "love" the Lifetime movie, which releases on Saturday, November 23.

"I hope Christmas in the Spotlight encourages viewers to follow their hearts, remain true to who they are and take bold risks in pursuit of their dreams. My wish is that audiences not only feel uplifted and motivated by the story but also find joy in gathering with family and loved ones to experience a fun holiday movie," she says.

After booking a "small acting part" for a dance roll on The Next Step, Lord knew acting was something she was destined to do. "It sparked a fire in me the way dance does but it was different — it felt like I had a bigger purpose and God was pushing me into that direction," she notes.

Since then, Lord has had many career highlights, including landing the lead role in Find Me in Paris.

"It was beyond my wildest dreams. I booked that role after being the coffee girl and reader during auditions as part of my college internship — fetching coffee to starring in the show has to be one of my proudest achievements. I’ll never forget standing on the roof of the Palais Garnier in Paris, about to film, looking out over the beautiful city and feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Coming from small towns in the U.K. and Canada, living out my dream felt surreal," she says.

"Booking the lead role in Christmas in the Spotlight brought back that same rush. Playing a pop star in a holiday film allowed me to merge my passions for acting, dancing and singing, while also tapping into the joy and nostalgia that holiday movies have always held for me and my family. It’s a full-circle moment that I’m incredibly proud of," she continues.

Additionally, Lord has started her own business Bizouxx, which marked "the beginning of self-love and my passion for making a difference through my love for fashion and inspiring other women."

"It has been a longtime dream inspired by my family. Both my grandparents and parents started their own businesses, and I’ve always admired that," she says. "The name comes from a take on the French word 'bisou,' meaning 'kiss,' combined with an 'x,' reflecting how I always sign my name with a kiss. The drive to create my own brand has always been a part of me. I wanted to create more than just beautiful pieces — I wanted to inspire others to connect with their divine femininity, celebrate what makes them unique and deepen their relationship with themselves. I believe the world can always benefit from more feminine energy to bring light, nurture and compassion."

"I am so blessed to have incredible women in my life that have inspired and supported me every step of the way as I grow into the woman I am. For my very first launch, I decided to name my pieces after these women — my best friends including my mom and nana. This made the launch of my brand even more meaningful and personal to me," she gushes.

In the future, Lord would love to work with Reese Witherspoon and Viola Davis, in addition to producing, directing and starring in a film she's written herself.

"There’s something incredibly fulfilling about bringing a story from your imagination to life and having creative control over how it’s told. It would allow me to combine my love for storytelling, acting and connecting with audiences on a deeper level. I think it would be a way to challenge myself, grow as an artist, and create opportunities for others, especially highlighting and working with talented women in the industry. It’s a dream," she declares. "I see myself continuing to evolve and grow both personally and professionally. I want to be leading projects that I’m truly passionate about, whether that’s starring in films I’ve helped produce or bringing more creative stories to life that resonate with people. I hope to expand Bizouxx into an internationally recognized brand that empowers and inspires women across the globe."

She concludes: "Beyond my career, I want to be more deeply involved in philanthropic work, using my platform to support causes that bring love, light and truly make a difference. I hope to be a mentor to others, especially young people and women. I envision a life where I’m surrounded by strong, uplifting communities and still connected to what makes me feel most alive, whether that’s creating, performing, or helping others. Ultimately, I want to be in a place where I am fully aligned with my purpose, sharing love and positivity and continuing to grow in a way that reflects who I am."

Christmas in the Spotlight airs on Lifetime on Saturday, November 23.