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How Actress Jen Lilley Hopes to ‘Uplift’ People This Christmas Season

Photo from Jen Lilley’s Instagram

How Actress Jen Lilley Hopes to ‘Uplift’ People This Christmas Season

By Movieguide® Staff

Actress Jen Lilley, star of the recent Great American Family movie A PARIS CHRISTMAS WALTZ, encouraged fans to give this Christmas.

Since 2020, Lilley has led the charge for her organization called Christmas is Not Canceled, which seeks to help families in need.

“Christmas is Not Canceled is an action-oriented company with a mission to save the world by raising awareness and funding incredible organizations focused on the well-being of vulnerable children,” their website reads.

Lilley’s heart for children and the Christmas season continues on-screen as she stars in many family-friendly holiday movies.

In her most recent movie, A PARIS CHRISTMAS WALTZ, Lilley stars alongside Matthew Morrison, known for GLEE and his time on Broadway.

A portion of Movieguide®’s review reads:

After taking ballroom dancing lessons for a year, Emma competes at a major pro-am competition in Paris over Christmas week, with Leo, a professional dancer she admires.

PARIS CHRISTMAS WALTZ stands out from other Christmas romances. Director Michael Damian brings lots of pizzazz to the movie in the vibrant dance numbers, abetted by a lush score by Nathan Lanier. It’s a joy to watch Jen Lilley and Matthew Morrison, as Emma and Leo, work their magic on the dance floor and in a fun dance routine with a street band.

Connected with the project by producer Brad Krevoy, Lilley said that the musical dance numbers and the chance to work with Morrison made the role a no-brainer.

“It’s definitely a beautiful film that’s outside of the box, because there’s song and dance in it,” Lilley told Movieguide®. “And it really harkens back to old Hollywood too—I am still pinching myself that I got to be part of it. So I hope people watch it. It’s truly my favorite film I’ve ever done.”

Lilley added that she was grateful to work on a wholesome project with the Great American Family.

“I was just really delighted to be able to work with them, to be able to work with this stellar cast,” she said. “I cried every single day because I was so grateful that I got to be part of it. And I just really hope people watch it because it meant a lot to me. And I think this one’s really timeless. I think it’s just a really powerful movie.”

“I can tell you that it is a very loving network,” Lilley said of the Great American Family network. “It’s a very inclusive network, and it’s a network that loves really hard. As a parent, I love Great American Family because I know that if I do want to go make Christmas cookies or fold the laundry, I can leave the room and know that my kids are not going to see something that forces me to have a conversation with them that I’m not ready to have.”

Whether through her organization Christmas Is Not Canceled or her movies, Lilley hopes to uplift people during difficult times.

“I think people need uplifting content,” she explained. “I think 2023 has felt a lot like 2020. I think it feels very disheartening, all the things that are going on in the world, and divisive. And I think people really need uplifting content. I’m really proud to be part of something that’s healing for people.”

From October to December, Christmas Is Not Canceled partnered with Toys for Tots to donate thousands of toys to children in need.

“As of a couple of hours ago, we were at a little over 19,000 toys, and our goal is to get to 25,000 toys for children and families living in poverty right now here in the United States,” she said. “I have Jesus, I love Jesus and I know Jesus loves me. I know that every single person, I truly believe, is born on purpose for a purpose. So I have a lot of hope. And I have a lot of peace.”

“My life’s really been changed by that, and it’s just funny what God will do when you try to build other people up,” she added. “He’s so kind to make it grow and become something more than what you thought.”