Hunter King Talks Hallmark, Taylor + Travis Inspired Romp, ‘Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story’ and More!
If Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have proven anything, it's that women go crazy for football, too – which is why Hallmark, the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs have come together to make the rom-com Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.
Airing as part of the 15th anniversary of Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas, the movie is inspired by the fandemonium caused by Swift and Kelce and stars a blonde Hallmark beauty — but this is not a love story about two megawatt stars. Instead, it’s about the superfans who support them. The Young and The Restless alum Hunter King talks to FIRST for Women about uniting the Chiefs Kingdom and Hallmarkies with Holiday Touchdown and creating rom-com magic with hunk Tyler Hynes.
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We also have Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story behind the scenes videos and photos, featuring stars Hunter King, Tyler Hynes, Ed Begley Jr. and Diedrich Bader – not to mention Mama Kelce and a few familiar Chiefs faces!
Plus, the two-time Daytime Emmy-winner who played Summer Newman on The Young and The Restless, and also starred on Hollywood Heights and Life in Pieces, talks about making the move from soap opera drama to Hallmark joy.
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Hallmark’s Hunter King talks uniting two “diehard fandoms” with ‘Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story’
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Hallmark Media
With NFL season as emotional as a soap opera and Swifties falling for football, the Chiefs had a bit of fun last season with a faux Hallmark commercial starring Tyler Hynes and Janel Parrish (watch that video below!). Now, the feel-good network based in Kansas City is making a real rom-com with the Chiefs – Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story, starring Hynes and Hunter King.
“I feel so lucky to be a part of this,” King gushes to FFW over drinks at a swanky Hallmark event. “It’s bridging two giant, diehard fandoms – both rooted in Kansas City and both so loyal – so it’s going to be amazing for them to come together and merge into one.”
While the Daytime Emmy winner is a star in her own right, she understands what it’s like to be a superfan – and not just because she’s a Swiftie whose sister, Joey King, is in the video for “I Can See You (Taylor’s Version).”
“I grew up wanting to be a quarterback – so bad that I would watch Peyton Manning videos on how to throw a football,” King shares. “I was obsessed! I can't say I root for a specific team. I was a Peyton Manning fan, so when he went from the Colts to the Broncos, I was, like, ‘I'm bandwagoning. I go wherever you go.’ I love football, so making this movie is a dream come true. I mean, getting to film the Arrowhead Stadium? What can I say? It's incredible.”
Hallmark’s Hunter King teases what to expect from ‘Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story’
@tyler_hynes/Instagram
In King’s 2024 Hallmark holiday rom-com, she plays Alana – a member of the Chiefs Kingdom who thinks she may be the team’s biggest fan.
“All sides of her family met from being diehard Chiefs fans, so that is her life,” King teases. “This year, they're applying to be Fan of the Year, and Alana meets Derek, who is the director of fan engagement for the Chiefs. He is to help judge which person should win this amazing achievement.
“When they meet, there's a little bit of tension,” she adds, “and then maybe a little bit of romance comes along.”
Alana looks to be the front runner for the competition, but when her grandfather’s good-luck Chiefs hat goes missing, it sends her into a tailspin – and it may take a holiday Hail Mary to land her happily ever after.
“It has all the quintessential Hallmark Christmas moments in it, all wrapped up in a beautiful little bow,” King promises.
Hallmark’s Hunter King dishes on ‘Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story’ hunk Tyler Hynes
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Hallmark Media
With rom-coms all about chemistry, King cannot say enough about her leading man, Hynes – who is also set to star alongside Jonathan Bennett and B.J. Britt in the trilogy The Groomsmen, Hallmark’s first foray into male friendship and perspectives.
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“I’ve wanted to work with Tyler for years and I finally had the opportunity,” King says. “He's such a gentleman and he’s so sweet. And he’s an amazing costar. He cares so much about his work, his craft, connecting in scenes and collaborating, that it feels like a team effort.”
Having gotten to attend this year’s ESPYs in honor of the movie, these two are ready for some Holiday Touchdown fandemonium – and also remain self-professed Hallmarkies themselves.
“Tyler and I were just saying how we love watching feel-good movies,” King says. “Every Hallmark I've been on is just filled with so much joy. It’s crazy how the brand roots itself in spreading happiness and reminding people how important it is to have family and love in your life.”
Hallmark star Hunter King reflects on the high drama of working on soap opera ‘Y&R’
While The Young and the Restless fans will tell you they find a similar joy from watching their daily stories, there’s no denying working on the CBS sudser brought a lot more drama to King’s life. Playing Summer Newman was an emotional, wild ride that helped King land the 2014 and 2015 Younger Actress Daytime Emmy.
“There are days now where I’m, like, ‘You know … I taught myself how to cry on command! I have it in me,’” King says with a laugh. “But it is nice that I get to have maybe one or two scenes like that in a Hallmark … and then I’m back to feeling good! Even if I’m having a crappy day in real life, when I go to work, the things I’m doing make me feel good and I know they’re gonna make other people feel good. I can't help but feel a bit better.”
While the drama of Genoa City is behind her, King reveals she keeps up with her former costars.
“I talk to Joshua Morrow (Nick), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Melissa Ordway (Abby) and a lot of people over there,” she lists off. “Sometimes we get together, one-on-one, but I haven't ever gone back to the studio. Imagine if I just walked in! I think it'd be like, ‘What are you doing here?’ But they’re still my good friends, and I think they'll always be family.”
Hallmark’s Hunter King teases why everyone will enjoy ‘Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story’
Hallmarkies, the Kingdom, NFL fans and even Swifties might see themselves in Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story, but King insists it’s a Hallmark rom-com for everyone.
“We'll take all the Swifties we can get,” King cracks, before adding, “I don't know who wouldn't want to watch this movie. It's centered around love and passion and football and Christmas and family – and those are all things that I love and that are so important in my life. So come on board. Watch it. It's going to be great.”
While you don’t have to love the Chiefs to love Holiday Touchdown, those who do can expect plenty of Easter egg moments and familiar faces – including Mama Donna Kelce, head coach Andy Reid, guard Trey Smith, wide receiver Mecole Hardman, Jr., running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and defensive end George Karlaftis. Fans are also still holding out hope for cameos by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
With Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story set to premiere as part of Hallmark’s 15th Countdown to Christmas, Hunter King’s rom-com Two Scoops of Italy is re-airing on Hallmark on Monday, August 19, at 7/6c. In the meantime, here’s a look at the Chiefs’ Falling for Football spoof commercial featuring Tyler Hynes – which is NOT a trailer for Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story!
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