‘Thought I got the Taylor role.’ NBC host scores part in Hallmark Chiefs Christmas movie
She’s not playing Taylor Swift, but that’s about all Jenna Bush Hager could share Thursday when the NBC talk show host announced her role in Hallmark’s Christmas movie about the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bush Hager joined her “Today” show colleagues wearing a Santa hat and an oversized Travis Kelce Chiefs jersey that fit her like a dress. She held a script in her hand.
“Yes, here’s the script but it’s top secret. I’ve got a hot script,” she said.
She didn’t share many details — those pesky non-disclosure agreements, after all — of her speaking part but was clearly excited about her acting debut.
Filming of “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” is underway at various locations around Kansas City, including GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and the historic Independence Square.
The movie stars popular Hallmark Channel favorites Tyler Hynes and Hunter King, and Emmy winner Ed Begley Jr.
Bush Hager co-hosts “Today With Hoda & Jenna” with Hoda Kotb. She joined “Today” as a reporter and contributor in August 2009. She is the daughter of former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush.
“First of all I thought it was about Taylor and Travis and thought I got the Taylor role, but I didn’t. Shocker,” Bush Hager joked.
Emphasizing that she couldn’t share anything about her role, she described the movie this way: “It’s a superfan who falls in love with a man who works for the team. It’s Hallmark. Let’s think football. Let’s think Christmas in July.”
She didn’t say whether she would film her part in Kansas City.
Bush Hager posted her announcement on her Instagram account where Hynes congratulated her.
He wrote: “Welcome to the red kingdom.”
This is the synopsis for the movie:
“Alana Higman (King) is sure that her family’s lifelong history as Kansas City Chiefs superfans makes them a frontrunner to win the team’s ‘Fan of the Year’ contest.
“Derrick (Hynes), Director of Fan Engagement, is tasked with evaluating how Alana and her family stack up against the other two finalists.
“As the pair spends time together, it’s clear there’s a spark between them but when her grandfather’s (Begley Jr.) vintage Chiefs, good luck winter hat goes missing, Alana begins to doubt everything she believed about fate, destiny and even questions her future with Derrick — unless, that is, a little Christmas magic can throw a Hail Mary.”
“Today” show colleague Al Roker asked Bush Hager if Kelce will make an appearance in the movie, a romantic comedy that isn’t hiding its inspiration.
But Bush Hager wasn’t spilling any secrets.
“I can’t … I don’t know …” she said.
