Heather Hemmens Talks About The Snow Must Go On and The Launch Of Galifornia Undies
In The Snow Must Go On, a former Broadway star joins forces with a school guidance counselor to direct a high school Christmas musical. After he casts himself as the lead to impress a parent who is an influential Broadway producer, he must reassess his priorities and learn what the holiday season is really about. Actress Heather Hemmens spoke with Pop Culture Planet’s Kristen Maldonado about her new Countdown to Christmas movie and the launch of her new company Galifornia Undies.
As a theater lover, director, and mentor, The Snow Must Go On reflects Hemmens’ own life experience. “I hadn't thought of it that way, but I guess you are right. I've worked a lot with high school aged kids and then it was an extension of that with this film, which is about a high school musical gone wrong,” she told me. “These kids are so talented and so funny and professional. They were amazing to work with and I play their guidance counselor.”
She stars opposite Corey Cott, best known for his roles in Broadway shows like Newsies, Gigi, Bandstand, and The Heart of Rock and Roll. “Oh my gosh, I wish I had seen him on Broadway,” said Hemmens, “but I got to be entertained every day in real life right on set. So I guess I got the private shows. He is just a ball of fire. He is so talented. Not many people have the skill set across the board that Corey Cott does being a singer, dancer, actor, amazing human, all of the things. Not only was he fantastic to work with, but he is an absolute star in this movie.”
“When snow starts to fall indoors,” Hemmens teased about her favorite moment to film with Cott. “I remember being able to watch a part of that back on set and I just got goosebumps. It was that beautiful cinematic moment that the director and our cinematographer had put together. It was stunning and it's why we make Christmas movies. You know, that little magic moment.”
Hemmens also raved about the young actors in the movie. “I was doing theater at 14 and 15, but, to be on film in a Hallmark movie having these big moments at that age? I cannot overstate how talented and professional these kids were and how much they brought themselves and so much confidence and bravery to be part of this movie. So I would really like to applaud them for that and everything that they brought to this film that makes it something really fun to watch for all ages as well,” she shared. “Hallmark lovers all over the country are going to love this movie, but you can definitely sit the kids down and watch this one with them because everyone's going to relate to the story.”
The film celebrates the power of community and purpose through the arts, which is something Hemmens deeply resonates with. “I was a theater kid from a young age,” she explained. “What I've learned over the years is that we do it as much for ourselves as we do for the audience. Being an artist, being a creative is something that I use to heal myself. I self soothe, so to speak, through my art. I am able to express things and that helps me grow, but I know that when we share our art people also grow and learn from it and that's why we love to connect with movies and TV, right? Because we're having a shared experience so I would say on both sides there is healing from being an artist.”
This Thanksgiving, Hemmens is also releasing her first product that is “near and dear to [her] heart” with her new company Galifornia Undies. “I was going through something difficult in my own life where I was searching for period underwear to help me through long days of shooting and what not. All I could find were granny panties. So I thought, ‘Why aren't there any cute period underwear?’” she told me. “I was searching for it and I thought other women are probably looking for something cute too. I just had this idea for Galifornia Undies. To design a line of cute panties.”
After a year of working on the products, she’s now launching with 10 different designs and levels of absorbency to help women feel “a little bit better on those tough days.” “We have all the different options and different sizing there for all the ladies. We're expanding with products, like hot water bottles, I know I love to sleep with to help with cramps,” Hemmens said. “So we're just trying to provide these alternatives that can help us feel better and feel better about the way we look as well when we're on our cycle.”
“They are for postpartum, endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids, all of these things that women have to go through with almost no resources, no help, no conversation with other women. We're all going through the same thing,” said Hemmens. “I really want to provide an option that at the end of the day, we can just be like, ‘Okay, at least I have that. I don't have to be worried about spotting through my pants at work.’ It’s just one easier decision in our day.
Watch The Snow Must Go On on November 28 on Hallmark Channel and order your Galifornia Undies now.
