Scheduling an around-lunchtime call on a Friday after a long week isn’t typically high on the “want-to-do list.” But when you’re chatting with actress Lacey Chabert, things just seem a little bit better. With her “cotton-candy” voice and upbeat personality, Chabert is exactly how you think she would be—funny, kind and down-to-earth. This season, she’s also stepping into the holiday scene, starring in Netflix’s Hot Frosty and Hallmark’s The Christmas Quest. Not one to shy away from staying busy in a career that she’s had since a very young age, as Chabert told us, it’s all about gratitude and balance.
The holidays are officially here, and you have two big holiday films hitting. Tell us a little about them.
Of course. The Hallmark one is The Christmas Quest and Kris Polaha and I filmed the movie entirely in Iceland. We basically go on a treasure hunt in Iceland in the film. It is a true adventure movie and we had this incredible opportunity to film in so many beautiful locations. I had never been to Iceland before and I’ve always wanted to travel there; it was just phenomenal. We were filming on the top of ice glaciers, in ice caves and it was just stunning.
It’s really different. It’s a true adventure treasure hunt movie, so it’s a really unique Christmas movie. Then, for Netflix, I have Hot Frosty, which is so funny, endearing and sweet. It’s about a snowman that magically comes to life and he must learn to be human. In the process of him learning to be a human, he really helps my character put her guard down and trust to open her heart again as she’s grieving the loss of her husband. It’s a really heartwarming movie about community. It’s so funny and relatable and it doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet it has this really sweet and emotional through-line.
It is always nice to see a new Netflix movie pop up.
They just bring a little bit of comfort, levity and warmth to people’s living rooms.
They really do. I know you have a young daughter. When you are filming, having these different projects and traveling, how do you keep it all balanced?
It’s a tricky balance. It’s a lot to juggle, but I just try my best to keep my priorities straight. My husband is so incredibly helpful and we take care of each other. I ask for help when I need it. I feel so fortunate that I’ve been acting since I was my daughter’s age. I’m so thankful that I’ve had all the opportunities over the years and I love what I do so much. But my family is most important. We just find a way to make it all work. I’m really thankful for this life.
And it seems like you still really enjoy acting. How do you think you’ve stayed happy and grounded throughout this long career in an industry that can be tough on people?
I think the answer is gratitude. Honestly, I know how hard I’ve worked for the opportunities I’ve had. And I know how thankful I am for those opportunities that have presented themselves. I’m just so thankful for it all and I’m so thankful for all that I learn every time I step on a set. I just finished my 41st movie for Hallmark and I still learned so much. I get to collaborate with such interesting people and I still love what I do so much and I’m so excited about the future.
Amazing. I love that answer. Since we are a beauty magazine, I have to ask: Do you have any beauty holy grails that you’ve used for a while?
I love a lot of things! It’s always so hard to think of the actual things. But let me walk to my bathroom counter! Hold on, hold on, there’s so many things.
I really love this brand, Aloisia. They have an incredible eye cream, this revitalized eye cream that I love and a hyaluronic acid serum that I love called the Renew Concentrated Serum. I am big into washing my face every night. I use a Dr. Lancer cleanser. I’ve been using that forever and it’s great for my skin. I’m always trying to teach my daughter to wash her face and to be careful what she puts on her skin. What else? It’s all very simple. I love a good sheet mask here and there for some pampering, eye patches when my eyes are really puffy, or a roller. The ice roller is something I’ve gotten into recently. I feel like that helps with puffiness when I’m tired.
Yes, I love a good ice roller. You are hitting the press and red-carpet circuit for your films now. How do you creatively work on a look when you have to be out there—is it something you leave up to your glam squad?
I try to just feel comfortable. It’s fun to go outside the box and try something here and there, but I know certain things—hair and makeup—make me feel more like me. So we stick to those things. Then, depending on the outfit and creating a whole look, I try to let the artists explore and express themselves as well.
Since we’re talking holiday, what are you excited for as they hit?
I am so excited about all of the traditions. I got my Christmas decorations up pretty much the day after Halloween…or I may or may not have had some things up before Halloween. This time of year brings up some of my most cherished childhood memories. Then, I get to make new traditions with my daughter and pass along those things that were so meaningful to me as a child. It’s such a sweet time of year because it makes me feel like I’m reliving some of those memories while I get to create new ones with her.
We do Elf on the Shelf, we drive around with the Christmas lights—there’s a beautiful Christmas light display here in LA called Holiday Road and we go there every year—make cookies for Santa, bake my grandmother’s coconut cake. It’s nice to take a little bit of a pause and just reflect and have some nice time at home with family.
