Ezra Moreland, Hayden Maher, and Elijah Malcolm
Distinctive featureHallmark's first ever Find Mr. Christmas The competition is over, and… Us Weekly Caught up with the lucky winner.
Warning: Spoilers below for Season 1 of Finding Mr. Christmas.
Hosted by Hallmark Darling Jonathan Bennett and Melissa PetermanThe series premiered in October and follows 10 men as they compete in various festive challenges to showcase their acting skills and holiday spirit. One contestant was sent home each week up to three – Ezra Morland, Hayden Maher and Elijah Malcomb – He stayed until the end.
In the end, it was Moreland, 31, who took home the award. As he entered the competition struggling to find his place, Moreland ultimately impressed the judges with his vulnerability and open heart. His first shining moment came after an opposite acting challenge Rachel Bostonwhere a campfire breakup scene required the men to get in touch with their feelings.
“This (challenge) was the scariest because we realized we were going to be judged on emotional availability, and that was terrible and stressful at first,” Moreland shared exclusively with Us Weekly. “But looking back, that's one of my favorite (moments) because it was the biggest rollercoaster, kind of nerve-wracking.”
Moreland noted that the challenge ultimately helped him “break down some layers” of himself that he didn't “even know existed.” However, it was in the moments following the challenge that viewers got a candid look at Moreland's character. The model found himself breaking down in tears over the death of his late sister.
“That was a really proud moment. I'll be honest, because I had one goal: to be my full self and have a positive impact on anyone watching,” Moreland explained. “In the first two episodes, I remember the judges saying, 'We haven't seen your character. “We don't really know Ezra.” And that night, after I was told that, I would say, “This is hard.” There's a lot going on. There's a competitive edge in the air and I'm kind of conservative most of the time.
Moreland said the breakup scene helped him get in touch with his emotions, which he had previously stifled due to the pressures of competition.
“I wanted to be my outgoing, funny, goofy, emotional self. In this environment it wasn't easy,” he continued. “So seeing myself break down and having the opportunity to show the world how important my family is to me — and watching yourself cry over it — is so hard.” TV screen – but it was a very proud moment. I'm very happy about that.
That wasn't the only moment Moreland made his mark on the competition. He gave his best in the penultimate episode when the three finalists were asked to perform a waltz and dialogue side by side. Dancing with the stars pro Whitney Carson.
“She's the most elegant animatronic human being I've ever seen,” Moreland gushed of Carson. “All of these guys have never waltzed before. And for her, to replicate what she sees at the end of the episode and us all walking together is impressive. Hands down for her. She's absolutely amazing.”
Moreland also praised Carson, 31, for her endless patience. “She could have easily said, 'You're slowing me down,' or frustrated us if we weren't up to speed,” he said. “I was so grateful to her, because without someone with that much patience, it would have been a very different story.”
Moreland credits someone else for his endless patience Jessica Lowndes. The two stars in the future happy birthdayWhere Moreland will make his acting debut. The film follows web page editor Mia (Lounds) as she meets Seattle dog shelter owner Max (Moreland) after she nicks a puppy on the street. When their pets begin to fall in love, sparks begin to fly between them as well.
“There's a lot of heart and love in this movie,” Moreland said. we From the film, which premieres on Hallmark Channel on Saturday, December 21. He and I have a similar background in the military, which I can relate to.
Moreland – a former Navy rescue diver – noted that “any positive outcome” from the film is a “huge thank you” to Lowndes, whose “skill level” and “professionalism” helped him through the process from start to finish.
“Jessica was helping me step by step along the way,” he explained. “And our character, what we go through, there's so much heart and it's so comforting. And our dogs fall in love in this movie! It's the sweetest thing you'll ever see. It's just everything special.”
while Find Mr. Christmas Moreland taught the contestants how to perform small scenes, and said he was “shocked” by the filming process once he arrived on set. “I had no idea the hours of work, energy and focus each member of the production required” to bring the film to life, he told us.
“I was very surprised,” he continued, laughing. “I don't think there's any way to fully prepare for it other than just jumping in and doing it. But it was very emotional. I've never felt more exhausted in my life.”
Fortunately for Moreland, there was “a little bit of time” between being crowned Mr Christmas and the shooting happy birthday It allowed him to hone his acting skills.
“I first received the script, met with the producers and got the spot right, which I didn't even know what it was,” he joked. “But I got to work with Jeffrey Markus, my acting coach, who Jonathan Bennett is a good friend of. That helped a lot. That was my first real introduction to script analysis and trying to prepare for a lead role in a movie.”
Now, the film is finished and Moreland is preparing to share it with the rest of the world — including his parents and siblings. Whatever happens next, Moreland is ready.
“Bring it,” he said. we. “In a way”Find Mr. Christmas) It is the gift that keeps on giving. Moving on in life after that, it feels like everything is brighter.
Find Mr. Christmas It's streaming on Hallmark+ now and happy birthday It premieres on Hallmark Channel on Saturday, December 21 at 8pm ET.
