Benjamin Hollingsworth Reveals Why ‘Romance in Style’ Was an Easy Yes
Q&A
Benjamin Hollingsworth may be “bad boy” Brady on Virgin River, but in the August 13 Hallmark premiere, Romance in Style, he’s Derek, who’s gearing up to take over a magazine business from his father. Little does he know, it’s also where he’ll fall in love.
It’s at the high-profile fashion magazine that the “Prince of Publishing” meets confident and passionate aspiring plus-size fashion designer Ella (Grey’s Anatomy‘s Jaicy Elliot). He enlists her help to learn the ropes of the fashion business — and little do they know, they’ll also find love.
Below, Hollingsworth discusses the film’s important message and why you, too, will fall for Ella and Derek.
What appealed to you about the movie and the role of Derek?
Benjamin Hollingsworth: When the project came to me, I didn’t really hesitate to say yes because of the message of body positivity. I had my third child, my first daughter, about a year and a half ago, and if I can help her grow up in a world where she can look in the mirror and feel beauty and love regardless of her shape and size, then sign me up for that because I think especially with society and social media, we’ve put women, and men as well, on this pedestal of needing to look a certain way. That creates an unrealistic goal for a lot of people and the outcome is self-doubt, negativity, and the lack of self-love. I think it can also cause mental health issues that stay with people for a long time.
This movie departs from that. You have a leading lady that doesn’t have the same shape and size as most of the leading ladies you see on television. And Jaicy Elliot — who plays the lead, is a phenomenal actress from Grey’s Anatomy, and is a wonderful person — brings so much to this role. And in the movie we learn that size 16 is the most common size for the American woman, and yet they’re just not depicted on camera and specifically within the fashion world. This movie addresses that in a very positive way. It’s not necessarily scolding or trying to diminish the world that exists, but simply bring light to the world that doesn’t, which is inclusivity within fashion in regards to body positivity, and creating a healthier image out there.
Thomas Fricke/Crown Media
We have Candice Huffine, who’s a plus-size model, she does a cameo in the movie. I personally hope that this movie resonates with women and men out there who might be self-conscious or have body image issues to help them look in the mirror and know that they’re valued and they’re beautiful, regardless of whatever shape and size they are. I think that goes a long way for mental health and it goes a long way for making the world a better place. So it was an easy decision for me to do.
The movie is so straightforward with the messages.
Yeah, it is. We’re not trying to skirt around anything. We’re getting right to the point. And I applaud Hallmark for taking this step to do this because it’s new for Hallmark. This is a departure for them and I think Hallmark has really wonderful lead actresses of all different ethnicities and they come from all different walks of life. But to specifically address having the leading lady not having to fit into a certain figure is really, really important. To have that represented on screen is also really important. Up until now we’ve only really seen larger women and men as comedic roles and they don’t get the roles that are drama or they don’t get the roles that are romance, and if they are, they usually are secondary characters. And I think it’s about time that that changes.
Thomas Fricke/Crown Media
I think it’s time that we don’t need to also have one person be a certain size and the other person be the exact same size. I think that that doesn’t exist in life. I think that you can have people, again, of all ships and sizes. Love has no rules. And I think that’s one of the great things about this. When you watch the movie, the character of Ella, she kind of sells herself short in that respect, being like, “Well, the seventh most eligible bachelor in New York is not really my type of guy,” and thinking that he’s out of her league, which really, in fact he’s not. And he’s got a big crush on her, not just because of the way she looks, but also because of her confidence and her ability to stand up for what she believes in and her honesty and all the things that really he hasn’t found in women in his life so far. That’s really cool.
Talk about working with Jaicy and Derek and Ella’s relationship. I loved it.
Thank you. Jaicy and I got along right away. One of the best things about this movie was the cast was so tight immediately. We all went out for dinner on night one and we went out pretty much — because we were shooting on location — just about every night after work, running lines together over dinner. It was really nice just to connect with each other at the end of a long day and we all sat down and had the discussion at the start about that there’s a bit of an obligation here to not just make a good movie, but a great one because of the messaging, because of the ability to really affect a lot of people’s lives in a positive way. And so we all worked really, really hard on this movie to try and make it the best we could and in the sincerest way possible and something that hopefully can stand the test of time of as being a bit of a classical Hallmark movie.
What do you think will make viewers fall in love with their relationship?
I think it really comes down to a relationship that’s outside the box that we’re used to. It’s a relationship that starts out with conflict in a very honest way and then sort of blossoms into admiration because of that honesty. That same unfiltered, unadulterated honesty turns out to be the thing that draws them to each other. And the idea that if we are our own unfiltered self, if we can just all be OK with being who we are and exposing that to, opening that up to the people we love, that we’ll find more love, that they’ll be more available to us because of that. That’s the overall message of the film: Be yourself and love will find you. You don’t necessarily need to seek it out.
Romance in Style, Movie Premiere, Saturday, August 13, 8/7c, Hallmark Channel
Conversation28 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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G
Absolutely outstanding movie and message! Obviously those with negative comments have no experience raising daughters who are constantly being bombarded with ‘proper’ body images leading to anorexia and emotional problems.
32 6
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R
This was the best Hallmark movie I’ve seen in a very long time. It was so real and meaningful in today’s society. There should be more like this. Would love to see where she goes as a designer and them as a couple.
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C
I loved the movie. I'm a Hallmark fan, but I acknowledge the stories can get predictable and stale. So, this one was a little bit of a departure. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
20 3
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C
You clearly didn't watch the movie. That's not even close to anything in the movie.
12 2
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R
What an awesome movie! My daughter and I enjoyed it Immensely. It not only had a good message but it shows how you can easily reuse and mix up your wardrobe while inspiring you to be confident and feel good in your clothes regardless of what size you are. Ella’s confidence and stance was inspiring and we hope that it catches on as it could make a difference in how everyone feels young and old. The actors and actresses in this film brought their characters to life creating a wonderful work of art for the whole family. It was funny, heartwarming and is worth the watch! (Now If only they’d tell us where to get some of outfits that were worn!)
13 6
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O
What a surprise, what a great script, and what a great great movie. Benjamin and Jaicy were amazing actors...perfect in their roles.
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B
This is one of the BEST Hallmark movies ever. Being short, and not ever the perfect size 2 and a fitness specialist at 84 I appreciate and always tell my clients/students to love the body their in and keep it strong and healthy. This is a movie that I will keep on my list. Thank you for finally getting to a point that being so thin is not always healthy or beautiful. Beauty always comes from within. Thanks again for this.
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G
Being a size zero at 5'10 is also unhealthy for tjose who starve to meet the unrealistic body of the models shown in these industries. Many are literally classified as grossly underweight. Healthy might be 150 for an average boned 5'10" woman. That could be a size 12 or 14 depending on the manufacturer.
This movie does not support being morbidly obese but size 16 is not that. Being bulimic to achieve a size zero is also dangerous and any eating disorder, whether overeating or starving yourself, is unhealthy and is not encouraged by anyone.
This movie's message is if you aren't a size 8, then love who you are at a size 10 or 12, because life at a size 12 is just as good. And you are still beautiful and deserve love. You cant possibly argue with that.
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O
I enjoyed the movie and it wasn’t the predictable script or plot, which was very refreshing. I applaud the movie and it’s focus on body positivity. Contrary to several of the men, women, and a supposed Doctor’s negative comments about focusing on gluttony etc, they have no idea what they are talking about. First of all, the movie didn’t focus on that and secondly, just because a woman, or man, is larger doesn’t always mean it’s due to overeating or lack of excercise. People need to get away from the old stereotypes and false concept of the food pyramid and “eat less and exercise more” concept. As a woman, who has been various sizes throughout my life, I can vouch for this. It’s challenging to constantly be at battle with your own body, and working with thyroid and hormone issues, etc. This also includes trying every type of diet or altering the way to eat along with excercise and things not being effective. Don’t you think if we had a choice we would all love to be a size 4 and have our bodies stay that way? Evidently those making nasty comments have never walked in our shoes or have any concept of reality. They evidently have been blessed with the ability to stay thin and not struggle.
Thank you Hallmark for realizing that people come in all sizes, shapes, body types/ builds, heights, colors, ethnicities, etc. and incorporating this into your entertainment.
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B
I've watched this movie 9 times. To me, it's that good.
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P
Oh wonderful story! This was so well put together. The acting was fabulous. The writing was fabulous. The directing was fabulous. The fashions were well done. We loved the story. We were in chanted. Thank you so much for doing this for all of us who don't look like those skinny fashion models. What a lovely story! Well done!
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O
Hi Lindsey, Yes, there are people that overindulge, and do not take care of themselves so I understand that point that you are making. However it isn’t right to generalize and categorize that everyone who is heavier thinks like that, just like it isn’t right to say every skinny person is anorexic. There is too much stereotyping of heavier people and that needs to be changed. There are lots of people that are naturally thin and yet they eat terribly and don’t work out or take care of themselves. However, they aren’t ridiculed for their weight because it’s doesn’t manifest on their appearance, but could be harming them internally. Just like there are lots of heavier people who eat very little and exercise but their bodies don’t respond or work correctly due to medical factors or changes. That is why I am responding to the comments the way I did. Creating a movie like this isn’t going to teach people that it’s okay to not take care of yourself. It is just representative that there are people of all shapes and sizes and heights etc. and they have a right to be treated with respect and dignity like everyone, and not to have to feel terrible about themselves. Most people I know with weight issues constantly think about their weight every single day and often, and try improvements, but get discouraged, frustrated and depressed. I just hope people learn to understand and be supportive of diverse people and media should reflect that.
Thanks and have a wonderful day.
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O
I liked this movie
Even though the lead was maybe a size 14 in real life . She looks
Beautiful at any size .
It is a
Sweet film and enjoyable , and
Most Women are a size 16 I had worked fashion retail for
35 years . Beauty comes in all shapes and
Sizes 😊
4 3
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R
I have watched this movie about over a hundred times. I hope they do a sequel so we can see how Ella's career goes and the love story between Derek and Ella, Love Love Love this movie. I love the piano that Derek plays in the movie, would like to know what the name is !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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R
I loved this movie and I mean loved it. I hope Hallmark follows up with a sequel, on Ella's career and her and Derek's romance with all the same players.... To me it's a MUST !!!!!!!!!!
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G
Loved this movie. Have watched it probably a dozen times (it's saved on my DVR) and it never gets old. Such a great message to share and the entire cast did an outstanding job. Loved the chemistry between Jaicy & Ben. Would love to see a second movie with these two. Great job Hallmark!
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O
I love this movie and everything about it. I was stuck in the covid stay in the house doldrums and after seeing it the the first time decided to look in the mirror , put on some make up and bring get back my confidence and personality. I was born in NY and this movie brought me back to the excitement of the city. Ella was engaging esp with Derek. I've watched this movie over and over again -always some thing new! Thank you so much!!!
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O
It's on my list as one of my favorite Hallmark movies. Thank you for a real life issue that is in everyone's life these days. Keep up the good work Hallmark for going outside the box!
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O
I loves this movie. I watch it every time it airs.
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G
This was the best Hallmark that I have seen in a very very long time. Hallmark got it right this time, the movie had substance-good writers and a very talented cast. Thank you hallmark.
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B
I loved this movie because I felt good about the message that it presented. The main actors did an excellent job of getting the image out and adding some romance to sweeten the message
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O
Absolutely loved it! One of the best Hallmark movies I've seen. It was positive all the way thru. Not just about body positivity. But positive in all ways. The father really listened when the main characters talked to him. He didn't respond in the typical Hallmark negativity. The main guy character knew exactly how to react without the main girl character needing to tell him. They each expressed themselves outright without withholding and causing a conflict. Very different for the typical predictable Hallmark movies. This new screen play was written perfectly!!
4 4
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R
I absolutely loved this movie. I hope there is a follow up for a wedding. The actors had really good chemistry and the concept was new ! Please put these two together again!!
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Watch the movie, then comment. Or don't watch it. No one cares.
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G
I loved this movie. The message about body positivity was amazing. So many ladies judge their body so harshly and we all are beautiful in all shapes and sizes.
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C
I loved this story. The actors were a perfect match. The story was off the charts! Good job, writers. Looking forward to more unpredictable plots
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G
This is the kind of doctor who tells women to go on a diet no matter what the symptoms. I almost lost a friend to uterine cancer because her obgyn told her bleeding was because she was overweight and refused to do tests until she lost weight.
This so called Dr above would probably be as ignorant.
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I loved this movie. It’s one of the best that Hallmark has done in a while. Can’t wait to buy it.
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