J O N A T H A N B E N N E T T
Photographed by: John Russo
Interview: John Russo
Styled by: Gabriel Langenbrunner
Grooming: Rochelle Uribe
Location: 1 Hotels Weho https://www.1hotels.com
Video: Ken Waller Media
JR: What inspired you to co-create and host Finding Mr. Christmas?
JB: I think, Finding Mr. Christmas is a show that gives; that helps actors achieve their dreams. We are finding the next Hallmark Christmas movie star. So, I know what it’s like to be one of those actors who goes on audition after audition and does the grind and does that dance that it takes to be an actor in Hollywood these days. I too was once where these guys are, so I understand what it feels like. In creating this show and hosting it, it’s literally kind of like reaching. They say when you get high enough on the ladder your job is no longer to climb the ladder, but to reach behind you and pull other people up. That’s why I love the show so much, because you get to make people’s dreams come true.
JR: How is Finding Mr. Christmas different from other reality competition shows and basically traditional Hallmark programming?
JB: Finding Mr. Christmas is the first unscripted reality competition on Hallmark Channel, so it was exhilarating to breaking down that wall and being the first to do that. What sets this apart from all other shows is the fact that it’s a reality show with heart. Not to say that other reality shows don’t have heart, but what I think is so special about our show is that you have ten handsome grown men talking about their feelings and opening up and being vulnerable on television and talking to each other about their struggles and the things they go through. By doing that, they all become really close friends and they become bonded. We as the audience get to see these men being vulnerable. And when you do that, we get to know them better. And it’s something that you don’t see on a lot of reality competition shows where everyone is usually going in for blood. But with this show, we had ten guys, walk in competitors, but they leave a family. And that’s the testament to what Hallmark Channel does right; it’s about family, connection, hope and joy. That’s what this show does different than other reality shows.
JR: You have worked with Melissa Peterman as a lead judge. What is the dynamic between you guys on set?
JB: Having Melissa Peterman be my right hand in this series is the biggest gift you could ask for as a TV host because she is the funniest person I have ever met in my entire life. She has the funniest one-liners and zingers that she just keeps throwing at you all day. And when we’re filming, I have to stay focused which is challenging as I’m constantly laughing at everything Melissa is saying next to me. It’s just become this really fun relationship between the two of us. And she’s also become the lovable aunt to all the guys. There’s definitely something safe about Melissa Peterman, which is why I love working with her and why I think she does such a great job in helping our hunks. She makes it okay for them to try things, because she is so good at what she does and she is such a giving actor, that there’s a safeness that comes along with her.
JR: The winner gets a leading role in a Hallmark movie. What qualities do you think makes someone the perfect Mr. Christmas? (laughs)
JB: You have to have all the qualities that we come to know and love of our signature Hallmark hunks on the network. And those five qualities, well really six, are…they have got to be funny, you have to be charming, you have to have a great sense of humor, you have to be kind, and you have to have a good heart. And of course at the end of the day you have got to look sexy in a Christmas sweater, because that is part of the gig.
JR: Yeah that’s the most important part. (laughs) What advice would you give to an aspiring actor who, the dream of landing a role in a Hallmark movie?
JB: Great question. I don’t know how to become an actor in 2025. Because when I first started a thousand years ago, the game was vastly different. People ask me how to become an actor and I don’t know the answer to it, because I don’t know how you break into the industry with the current industry climate. But I do know that I have created all my own jobs for the past six years. Every job I’ve had, aside from a handful, have all been movies or TV shows that I created myself. So, my best advice is create your own movies, create your own shows, so you can control the narrative of what they are. You can give yourself the job.
JR: I applaud you for that leader mentality.
JB: Yeah, I mean there’s just too much noise now in the industry. There’s all the streamers, broadcast and cable networks, social media, and there’s just too many people and too many outlets that you’ve no choice, but to create your own destiny.
JR: Absolutely. If you could enter the competition yourself, what kind of a holiday character would you play to win the title?
JB: I joke with Melissa, me and Melissa Peterman joke about this all the time, I don’t know if I could win Finding Mr. Christmas. Because the show is so hard and we are putting them through such intense, insane challenges that have to do with acting and physical challenges, that I honestly don’t know if I would make it through. But luckily I already got the gig so I don’t have to worry about that, so let the kids do it. I would come on though, I think the people that do well on Finding Mr. Christmas are the same people that do well in the industry and that is, be unapologetically yourself. And the people that come on Finding Mr. Christmas and are unapologetically who they are, are the hunks that the audience gravitates towards. Perfect example of last season, Blake was the fan favorite and he’s this country boy from Austin Texas and had just never been on a set before and was unapologetic about it and didn’t know anything. And what did he do, he came on and said I don’t know what I am doing, someone help me. And that was the secret, because he didn’t come on like somebody that knew everything. The best actors and the best people that you work with in the industry are people that don’t know everything and when they don’t know, they ask for help. Like I remember when I first started off, I would be petrified to ask someone what a certain lingo was on set or what happens next in the process, like what do we shoot next? I acted like I knew everything and I so wish I would have just been honest and been like hey I don’t know what I am doing right now, someone help me. Because when you open up and you are just like your authentic self, the audience can sense it. And when you are authentic, they gravitate towards you because they feel like they know you.
JR: What’s one thing that fans might not know about you that you wish they did?
JB: Truthfully, I have a horrible sense of style. I only wear gym clothes, as does my husband, so when I got to shoot Gio Journal and all these other amazing things, someone else has picked out those clothes for me. I otherwise live in gym clothes and sweatpants every single day.
JR: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice before landing your breakout role in Mean Girls, what would it be?
JB: Just come out. Don’t worry if the fans are going to love or hate you because you are gay. If you’re authentically yourself, they’re going to see who you are as a human and they are going to connect with you. Don’t wait ten years, just be your unapologetic beautiful loud, crazy gay self.
JR: We are applauding you over here.
JB: Thank you.
JR: Because you see so many, many actors who are gay that are closeted and it’s just unbelievable that they live their life that way.
JB: Well, it was a different time. When I and those before me came onto the scene, it wasn’t okay to be a leading man and be gay. And then all of a sudden Ryan Murphy happened and now it’s fine. It kind of created a conundrum for those of us who were closeted because now what were we supposed to do? There’s a handful of people that understand what I went through. I was actually just talking about this with Matt Bomer the other day. There’s a group of us – Matt, Luke MacFarland, etc, that maybe had a career before, but our careers preceded our personal life. And then all of a sudden it became a different time so your personal life becomes part of your career and you have to figure out that kind of reentry.
JR: What do you think about when they cast straight guys to play gay actors? What are your thoughts on that?
JB: You know, that’s an age old question. And I don’t really have an answer for it. I know that if I am casting my own project, I would love for gay characters to be played by gay actors. But, it’s such a huge question and I don’t know the answer to it, so I just do what I do.
JR: Absolutely and I always ask myself that question too and I always say the best actor for the job would be the best actor for the job.
JB: Yeah, I agree with that too. It’s like whoever is best for the role. Gay actors can play straight roles and visa-versa, so in my opinion, it’s whoever is best for the job.
JR: So what is next for you?
JB: Well I am getting ready to host Times Square New Years Eve; the ball drop. I’m the official host and I get to ring in the New Year with a million people in Times Square.
JR: Wow, that is so impressive.
JB: No cooler place to be on New Years Eve than standing on the main stage at Times Square with a microphone counting down the ball drop.
JR: You have a great career, a great husband, a great outlook, it’s the package.
JB: Aww, thank you. It’s the package, but also, what I think everyone doesn’t realize and many people don’t see is all the no’s and rejection that happens along the way. When you get it, it’s as though hundreds of hours of work and determination finally makes all this happen.
JR: Absolutely, but the great thing is, you are making it happen. (laughs)
JB: Yes, I am. Someone has got to save Christmas.
To learn more about Jonathan follow him @jonathandbennett