Oh, Christmas movies! Think Santa Claus, Christmas music, hot cocoa, gingerbread houses, mistletoe, lights, hot apple cider, and Christmas cookies. The feel-good movies round out the season. Who likes the predictable happy endings in the Hallmark movies? ME and many, many others worldwide. I do watch them year-round; my husband laughs and says “Haven’t you seen that one already – like ten times?” Why, yes, honey but Tyler Hynes is in it, or Riley Weston wrote it and it’s awesome.
Gabrielle Graf-Palmer and Sara Lunsford saw a need to be filled. There are conventions for pretty much everything, so why not our favorite celebrities from those feel-good movies?
In 2019, they started BriteStar Events, LLC and started planning RomaDrama Live. It is an event that brings together fans and their favorite celebrities.
This past July, they had a very successful launch in Nashville. Tickets varied in price and access. Fans got the opportunity to do meet and greets, take selfies, get autographs, and get professional photos with the artists. They got to participate in panels, watch performances, win prizes, attend parties with the celebrities and have a VIP Brunch with them. Performances included some Nashville-based talent, such as the amazing Anthony Smith, Jamie O’Neal, and Cassadee Pope.
Here are some of my highlights from my weekend with the Hallmark Hotties (they weren’t all from Hallmark movies, but I love the alliteration.)
When I got there, all the staff were so welcoming. Each of the celebrities had a booth for autographs and photos. I interviewed Brittany Bristow, (Holiday Date, Christmas at The Palace). She has been in several of my favorite movies. We also interviewed Brian Krause who played Leo in Charmed.
The first thing I noticed was the number of fans who were there. Excitement filled the room. There were panels featuring several of the actors. There were author panels and contests. Everyone seemed to be having so much fun. I made a point to go by all the tables and introduce myself. On Saturday, I was dressed in Elf mode because I came straight from the Give Little Christmas brunch with Santa. That got a lot of attention.
I was walking by Jesse Metcalfe and he grabbed my hand and started dancing with me. I love to dance to Christmas music so that made my day.
I overheard a fan talking about something very charitable that Ryan Paevey did to help her out. She was in tears – happy tears. Tyler Hynes had a line of fans waiting to speak to him almost the entire time. I stood in the line because he’s my favorite. Also, he played in Letterkenny and my son loves that show. All the celebrities seemed genuinely interested in speaking with their fans. They would stop and chat with them when they were walking around.
Riley Weston was there. She wrote some of my favorite Christmas movies. Watch ‘Good Morning Christmas,’ you’ll love it. Riley is an incredible singer/songwriter. She was asked to open for Paul Greene’s concert on Saturday night.
RomaDrama Live has a lot more events planned. It is not too late to get your tickets for their next one. It is in Palm Beach FL from Jan. 7 -9, 2022. Who would like to go to a beach in January? Yes, please. For tickets, more info and to see the line-up visit www.romadrama.com
Krys Midgett has a BA in Journalism from Tennessee Technological University. She owns Give A Little Publications, runs Give A Little Nashville Magazine and Life Between The Lakes Magazine. She is a SESAC songwriter. Krys also is the founder of a nonprofit focused on helping kids have Christmas gifts. It is called Give A Little Christmas. Krys is also a wife, a mom of three boys and a Nana of two boys.