Jessica Lord’s Christmas in the Spotlight: Teaser, Release date, & all we know About the Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce-Inspired Rom-Com film

Lifetime has unveiled its much-anticipated “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” lineup, and the spotlight is shining brightly on Christmas in the Spotlight. 

Starring Jessica Lord and Laith Wallschleger, this holiday rom-com has already captured attention with its uncanny resemblance to the high-profile romance between pop icon Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce. While the film doesn’t officially claim inspiration from the couple, fans can’t help but notice the striking parallels between its storyline and the duo’s whirlwind love story.

The buzz began with Lifetime’s recent holiday schedule announcement, which teased Christmas in the Spotlight alongside other festive films like Christmas at Plumhill Manor & Holiday in Happy Hollow. 

Though the trailer is still under wraps, the first look at the movie offers glimpses of Lord and Wallschleger radiating undeniable chemistry, with moments like Bowyn (Lord) donning a football jersey adding fuel to the TayVis comparisons.

Packed with a talented cast, heartwarming holiday vibes, and an irresistible story of love under the limelight, Christmas in the Spotlight is shaping up to be a seasonal favorite. Ready to explore all the exciting details about this festive film? From its cast and release updates to where you can watch it, we've got everything you need to know. And don’t worry—we’ll keep bringing you the latest updates as more details are revealed!

Release date & Where to Watch

Christmas in the Spotlight is set to premiere on Lifetime on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at 8 pm ET. Missed it? Don’t worry—you can stream it the next day on the Lifetime app.

Plot

Christmas in the Spotlight centers on Bowyn, a famous pop star who sings about love but has yet to experience it herself. Her demanding career and constant spotlight make finding “Mr. Right” seem impossible. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Drew, a professional football player, backstage at one of her concerts.

Sparks fly instantly between Bowyn and Drew, but their romance truly ignites after Drew makes a bold, public declaration of his feelings. The two decide to give their relationship a shot, but their love faces intense scrutiny from the press, fans, and even their families. 

With rumors swirling about whether their relationship is real or just a publicity stunt, the couple struggles to maintain their bond amid conflicting schedules and the pressures of fame.

As the holiday season unfolds, Bowyn and Drew must navigate the challenges of their high-profile romance and decide whether their connection is strong enough to withstand the spotlight—or if they should let it go up in flames.

Cast

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• Jessica Lord as Bowyn
• Laith Wallschleger as Drew
• Haley Kalil as Drew’s sister-in-law, Nicole
• Jeannie Mai Jenkins as Bowyn’s manager
• David Pinard as Hudson
• Brian Sills as Dr. Glenn
• Stacey Bernstein as Mil Gonville
• Madeleine Cox as Aileen

Is There a Teaser for Christmas in the Spotlight?

Check out the teaser released recently below.

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A preview teaser for Lifetime’s It’s a Wonderful Lifetime lineup offers a glimpse at the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce-inspired holiday film, Christmas in the Spotlight. In the opening moments, co-stars Jessica Lord and Laith Wallschleger are seen joyfully strolling together amidst festive holiday decorations. Another standout clip features Lord’s character, Bowyn, sporting a blue football jersey—if that’s not a nod to “TayVis,” what is?

Is Christmas in the Spotlight Inspired by Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce?

While the synopsis of Christmas in the Spotlight doesn’t explicitly name Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, the parallels between the film’s storyline and their relationship are hard to ignore. The movie features a romance between a high-profile couple navigating love under the intense spotlight of fame—a premise that closely mirrors the real-life dynamics of Swift and Kelce’s relationship.

Before officially dating, Travis Kelce famously attended Swift’s Eras Tour at Arrowhead Stadium, his team’s home turf, and later shared on his New Heights podcast that he had hoped to give her a friendship bracelet with his phone number. 

Their romance eventually became public in 2023, gaining even more attention after Swift was spotted cheering for Kelce at a Kansas City Chiefs game. Since then, their relationship has flourished, marked by memorable moments such as their joint appearance at Coachella and Kelce joining Swift on stage during her tour.

Adding to the intrigue, the cast of Christmas in the Spotlight has shared subtle nods to the couple on social media. In September 2024, actress Jessica Lord, whose role in the film echoes Swift’s, tagged the singer and Kelce in an Instagram post expressing her excitement about playing the character Bowyn. You can check out the IG post below.

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While the film’s producers haven’t confirmed any direct inspiration, the storyline, and these playful shout-outs suggest a connection that fans of both Swift and Kelce will surely find captivating. Whether intentional or coincidental, the movie offers a charming parallel to the superstar couple’s love story.

Behind the Scenes

Christmas in the Spotlight will be directed by Michelle Ouellet and produced by Off Camera Entertainment. Executive producers include Stephanie Slack and Margret Huddleston, alongside Richard Foster and Chet Fenster from GroupM Motion Entertainment. The screenplay, written by Eirene Donohue—known for her work on Lifetime holiday favorites like A Tourist’s Guide to Love—promises to deliver another festive treat.