Exclusive Interview: Chelsea Hobbs Talks Hallmark’s Dream Moms, Celebrating Women, the Importance of Self-Care, and More

Chelsea Hobbs is a dynamic storyteller who has built an illustrious career in this industry. She’s best known for her transformative performances in projects including Snow Queen, The L Word, Make It or Break It, and UnREAL. This spring, she stars opposite Tamera Mowry-Housley Danielle in the must-see Hallmark original, Dream Moms.

The film follows two moms whose Broadway dreams got deferred. They decide to enter a TV talent show competition together and learn that it’s never too late to become what or who you want to be.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Chelsea about Dream Moms, how the film celebrates women and mothers, the importance of self-care, and more.

PC: Tell us about Dream Moms, your character, and what attracted you to this project.
Chelsea: Dream Moms is a story about two moms who revisit their lifelong and childhood dreams of becoming Broadway stars. They’ve put those dreams aside to become moms—I feel like a lot of moms can relate to that—but they get to revisit that dream. It’s super exciting to them. What drew me to Claire is that she feels relatable to me and many other mothers. I thought it would be a really different and cool story to tell. I also used to be a dancer, so it hit a bit close to home.

PC: Claire is this incredible woman who has always put her sons first. You were raised by a single mother as well. Did you channel your own mom and her experiences into this performance?
Chelsea: Yeah, I was raised by a single mom. I was also a single mom for a period of my life, so I took a lot from both. There were certain little moments where I came up with a couple of ideas to add because they were true to real life, and they did well in the story. That definitely helped me bring Claire to life, for sure.

PC: You shared on social media that this has been one of the most physically demanding roles since Make It or Break It. What was that training process like? How did that physicality allow you to tap into Claire’s shoes?
Chelsea: Hallmark came to me with the script, and then they were like, “Can she dance?” I threw myself back into classes and I was like, “Can I?” I grew up dancing. But it was amazing because Claire is very nervous to get back into a dance class for the first time. Then she does, and she starts out a little awkward but falls in love with it again. I felt the same way. I went to a dance class, and I was like, “Oh my goodness. What am I doing here?” Then, I found that love again.

As far as the training, we had this amazing choreographer, Milena. Both Tamera [Mowry-Housley] and I felt very safe with her because she knew we were putting our shoes back on. It was physically challenging, but it was so fun.

PC: Speaking of Tamera, there’s this beautiful friendship that forms between your two characters. How were you able to build that bond?
Chelsea: We clicked right away. She felt like my soul sister the minute that I met her. She’s such a bright spirit. We’re both moms, so that helped!

PC: There’s this beautiful line in the film: “Everyone needs a cheerleader in their corner.” Who are the people in your own life who have been on this journey with you?
Chelsea: My mom and my sister are my best friends as cheesy as that sounds. We talk five to ten times a day on the phone. They were always my main cheerleaders. Then, my husband and my kids.

PC: Jessica Harmon directed this film, and she has experience in front of the camera as well. What was that collaboration like? Is there a different shorthand that develops when you’re working with a director who has acted as well?
Chelsea: The last two directors who I’ve worked with were Jessica and Ali Libert on The Holiday Sitter. Both of them are from Vancouver. They’re both still actors. There’s something so special about that because they approach everything in a different way. They know what you’re experiencing as an actor. They bring different ideas to the table because they understand your process. I love working with not only females, but someone who has acted before as well. It’s great.

PC: This is also Hallmark’s first film in their Make Her Mark program. What does it mean to you to be a part of this milestone? Has it inspired you to direct in the future?
Chelsea: I felt so honored to be a part of a movie that was honoring females in such a special way, which is why it’s such a great movie for Mother’s Day. The theme of this story is women. Not only do we have Jessica, but our camera operator was also a woman.

Have I felt inspired to direct? I’ve written two shows. I’m more on the writing side. I’ve always thought about directing one day, but we’ll see.

PC: There are so many universal themes that this film tackles. Was there one in particular that hit home for you?
Chelsea: As a mom, you often put yourself last. As cliché as it sounds, it’s true. Women often are so focused on their kids and making sure that they’re the best for their kids. The beautiful silver lining in all of this story is that you are truly a better mother if you take care of yourself.

I found that’s true in my own life. If I’m going to an exercise class, going on a hike, or doing anything I can do to find a bit of self-care, I’m able to show up for my kids tenfold. That is a really strong part of the story. It’s an important story for a lot of women to be reminded of.

PC: There’s something for everybody with this film. Is there a particular scene that you’re excited for your fans or audiences to see?
Chelsea: How do I answer that without giving it all? I feel like you’re tricking me. There isn’t one specific scene. The story gears up towards the end, and the journey getting there is such a fun journey to watch. I would say when the characters start to jive and find what their magic is like together. That is really cool.

PC: You’re such a dynamic storyteller. As you look ahead, what’s left on your bucket list?
Chelsea: I really love writing. That’s a journey that I want to be on. I recently had two kids in twenty months, so now I’m able to, like the story, put myself ahead again and do some of the things that I started doing and I want to keep doing. Telling stories on the other side of the camera is something that I see in my future.

To keep up with Chelsea, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Watch Dream Moms on Hallmark Channel on May 13th at 8/7c.

Photo Credit: Kate Whyte