The Real Reason Jen Lilley Left The Hallmark Channel - The List (2024)

© 2024 Static Media. All Rights Reserved

  • Entertainment
  • Hallmark

ByCassandra Rose

The Real Reason Jen Lilley Left The Hallmark Channel - The List (4)

Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock

Actress and activist Jen Lilley has been a mainstay in the Hallmark world for years. With over 10 Hallmark movies under her belt, she's the unofficial queen of romantic comedies and feel-good stories, per Us Weekly. From her stint as a struggling marketing executive that is forced to work with an ex in "Where Your Heart Belongs" to an app developer in "Mingle All the Way," Lilley has played a plethora of characters — and nailed it. She's part of what makes the Hallmark Channel so addictive.

Advertisem*nt

It's clear that Lilley approaches every role with the same level of love and care, no matter how demanding. Before the singer/songwriter brought love and holiday cheer to the Hallmark Channel, she won the hearts of soap opera fans everywhere while appearing on the classics "General Hospital" and "Days of Our Lives." Her transition from the soap world to Hallmark wasn't an easy one. Lilley told Showbiz Cheatsheet that the stress of memorizing between 150 to 200 pages of lines every day and the fear of replacement took a toll, eventually leading to her exit from "General Hospital."

As fruitful as her partnership with Hallmark has been, all good things must come to an end.

Jen Lilley signed a major deal with budding network GAC

The Real Reason Jen Lilley Left The Hallmark Channel - The List (5)

Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock

Jen Lilley shocked fans with the whirlwind news she'd moved on from the Hallmark Channel. In Januaryvia anInstagram post, she announceda major partnership with competitor GAC Media, joining the ranks of otherHallmark stars who left the network. The list of Hallmark's top-billed stars who made the jump to rival company GAC includeDanica McKellar and Trevor Donovan.

Advertisem*nt

Bill Abbott, the former CEO of Crown Media Family Networks (which owns Hallmark Channel)who started the network, toldDeadlinethat Lilley's drive made her an easy choice to lead GAC's films. He waxed poetic about her talent and kind nature and highlighted their long-lasting working relationship. During an interview with The List, Lilley revealed that her time filming "Royally Wrapped for Christmas" — her first with the network — was an uplifting and fun experience for her. She made connections with the background crew and was able to goof off while also following COVID-19 safety guidelines.

It looks like the "King of Hearts" singer's relationship with GAC started off on the right foot. Lilley revealed to The List that the film (namely the parallels between her character's charitable nature and her own advocacy work in real-life) inspired her to create holiday bundles through her charity, Christmas is Not Cancelled. Her goal was to raise $10,00 for Toys for Tots.

Advertisem*nt

GAC's controversial beginnings

The Real Reason Jen Lilley Left The Hallmark Channel - The List (6)

Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock

Hallmark has long struggled with diversity, reports The Hollywood Reporter, and its slow attempts to become more inclusive have not gone unnoticed by fans. During a November 2019 appearance on the outlet's podcast "TV's Top 5," Bill Abbott himself pointed out that in 2019, only four of the films released featured Black leads. In his defense of the channel, he rejected the idea that this lack of inclusion or hyper-focus on traditional white, heteronormative couples was intentional.

Advertisem*nt

In December 2019, a commercial featuring a lesbian couple was pulled from rotation and branded "controversial," per Vulture. The ad was reinstated after public backlash, and Abbott's departure came a month later. A year later, GAC Family came under Abbott's leadership, as reported by Parade.

She addressed the controversy behind her decision to join GAC

The Real Reason Jen Lilley Left The Hallmark Channel - The List (7)

Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

Jen Lilley's decision to leave Hallmark for GAC was met with pushback. After her Instagram post announcing the move, her comments section was filled with disapproving messages from fans who criticized the company's controversial origins. One user questioned the company's commitment to representation and called for diverse stories featuring LGBTQ+ characters, while another accused them of "[catering] to racist, hom*ophobic audiences."

Advertisem*nt

Lilley confronted the criticisms surrounding GAC Family head-on. Cinemablendreports that she took to her comments section in defense of the channel and called the critiques on GAC's lack of representation hearsay. "GAC family is completely loving, diverse, and does so much behind the scenes for the kingdom of God that I get compelled as a Christian to support them wholeheartedly," she argued. "I hope you're not believing the rumors you hear that have an agenda, but I can tell you personally, I know this channel is full of genuine love, rooted in truth, and will do so much for so many."

Recommended

Advertisem*nt

The Real Reason Jen Lilley Left The Hallmark Channel - The List (2024)
Top Articles
Le Problème à 3 corps
Le Problème à 3 Corps : l'adaptation Netflix ne peut ébranler la réflexion SF du roman de base
Joi Databas
Craigslist Free En Dallas Tx
Urist Mcenforcer
Cooking Chutney | Ask Nigella.com
Faridpur Govt. Girls' High School, Faridpur Test Examination—2023; English : Paper II
How to change your Android phone's default Google account
Alpha Kenny Buddy - Songs, Events and Music Stats | Viberate.com
craigslist: south coast jobs, apartments, for sale, services, community, and events
Ncaaf Reference
The Wicked Lady | Rotten Tomatoes
The Murdoch succession drama kicks off this week. Here's everything you need to know
Craigslist Pets Athens Ohio
978-0137606801
Rhinotimes
Otterbrook Goldens
800-695-2780
Morgan And Nay Funeral Home Obituaries
Conscious Cloud Dispensary Photos
Nutrislice Menus
Destiny 2 Salvage Activity (How to Complete, Rewards & Mission)
Committees Of Correspondence | Encyclopedia.com
Violent Night Showtimes Near Amc Fashion Valley 18
iZurvive DayZ & ARMA Map
NBA 2k23 MyTEAM guide: Every Trophy Case Agenda for all 30 teams
Busted Newspaper Fauquier County Va
The Ultimate Guide to Extras Casting: Everything You Need to Know - MyCastingFile
About My Father Showtimes Near Copper Creek 9
Target Minute Clinic Hours
Mandy Rose - WWE News, Rumors, & Updates
Speechwire Login
Phoenixdabarbie
Bfsfcu Truecar
35 Boba Tea & Rolled Ice Cream Of Wesley Chapel
After Transmigrating, The Fat Wife Made A Comeback! Chapter 2209 – Chapter 2209: Love at First Sight - Novel Cool
Mumu Player Pokemon Go
Metro By T Mobile Sign In
new haven free stuff - craigslist
Toonily The Carry
Maxpreps Field Hockey
Thanksgiving Point Luminaria Promo Code
Complete List of Orange County Cities + Map (2024) — Orange County Insiders | Tips for locals & visitors
Let's co-sleep on it: How I became the mom I swore I'd never be
Union Corners Obgyn
Bustednewspaper.com Rockbridge County Va
DL381 Delta Air Lines Estado de vuelo Hoy y Historial 2024 | Trip.com
Gonzalo Lira Net Worth
The Hardest Quests in Old School RuneScape (Ranked) – FandomSpot
Estes4Me Payroll
Strange World Showtimes Near Century Federal Way
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jonah Leffler

Last Updated:

Views: 5926

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jonah Leffler

Birthday: 1997-10-27

Address: 8987 Kieth Ports, Luettgenland, CT 54657-9808

Phone: +2611128251586

Job: Mining Supervisor

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Electronics, Amateur radio, Skiing, Cycling, Jogging, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.