Samarah Conley is an actress and singer who you need to keep your eyes (and ears) on. At only eleven-years-old, she’s already racking up the acclaims, with several of her shorts winning multiple awards on the film festival circuit. This December, she’s also starring in her first Hallmark Christmas movie as one of the leads! Pop Culturalist spoke with this rising talent about the film.
PC: Tell us about Last Vermont Christmas, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Samarah: Last Vermont Christmas is about the Marvin Sisters who travel to their parents’ home in Vermont every year to celebrate Christmas and enjoy their holiday traditions. This year, the parents surprise Megan, Bethany, and Audrey by telling them that they are selling the house and that makes the sisters very upset. Will they end up selling the house?
I play the role of Ivy, who is the main character, Megan’s (played by Erin Cahill), daughter. Ivy is an only child and has a close bond with her mom, as her dad was killed in a car accident years earlier.
I was drawn to this project because I wanted to be in a feel-good Christmas movie.
PC: How similar or different are you to Ivy?
Samarah: I think that I am pretty similar to Ivy because I also have a close bond with my mom and I really enjoy celebrating family holidays and traditions.
PC: What was your favorite scene to film and what was the most challenging?
Samarah: My favorite scene to film was the snowball fight. The director, David Jackson, made a $1 bet with me to hit Nash, played by Justin Bruening. I hit him on my first try as he came through the gate!
The most challenging scene was actually the one where I try to break my geode gift with the hammer. We went through at least four geodes and many takes before one of the geodes finally broke.
PC: What is it like being a part of the Hallmark family?
Samarah: Working with so many wonderful people, including cast and crew, to make a Christmas movie for millions to watch and enjoy is such a great feeling.
PC: What do you hope audiences take away from seeing Last Vermont Christmas?
Samarah: I hope people see the value in strong family bonds and traditions.
PC: What are some of the holiday traditions you share with your family?
Samarah: One holiday tradition that I really enjoy with my family is getting together for Thanksgiving and cooking and enjoying a delicious feast. Another tradition is celebrating Hanukkah and having Hanukkah Harry come to my house with gifts. My dad dressed up as Hanukkah Harry and for many years I thought it was strange that Hanukkah Harry would always show up when my dad was not home. Over the last few years, I caught on, though. My mom always recorded each time Hanukkah Harry visited and there are so many great moments from this tradition that we have forever.
PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Samarah: Days of Our Lives
PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Samarah: The Waterboy
PC: Favorite book?
Samarah: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
PC: Favorite play or musical?
Samarah: Shrek
PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Samarah: All things jazz
PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Samarah: Stranger Things
PC: Hidden talent?
Samarah: Crocheting
Make sure to follow Samarah on Twitter and Instagram, and catch Last Vermont Christmas on The Hallmark Channel.
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