IN CONVERSATION WITH JESSICA LORD

interview by JANA LETONJA

Jessica Lord will star in the much anticipated, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce inspired holiday film, ‘Christmas in the Spotlight’, coming out in late November. You might recognize Jessica from series like ‘The Next Step’, ‘Find Me In Paris’, ‘Party of Five’, and ‘Ransom’ along with action-thriller movie ‘Murder at Hallow Creek’ and ‘Binged to Death’. Besides acting, Jessica launched her own jewelry line Bizouxx in December 2023.

‘Christmas in the Spotlight’ delves into the pressures of balancing fame and love. Have you found any similarities between this storyline and your own experiences in the entertainment industry?

Unlike Bowyn, I personally haven’t felt the pressures of balancing fame and love just yet. I've been really focused on work, my other obligations and all the fun things happening in my career. In Bowyn’s case, she is initially on the same page as me, but then meets the right person to make it work so who knows what the future holds. 

Your character, Bowyn, is a musician who’s still searching for the right person, despite singing about love. How did you approach bringing this complex character to life, and what do you relate to most about her?

The moment I read the script, I instantly fell in love with Bowyn. I may not be the world’s biggest pop star like she is, but it was cool how much I related to her right from the start. I felt a natural bond with her love of performing. I’ve been dancing since I was four, so performing has always been a huge part of my life. Bowyn’s passion for her non-profit work, inspiring others, having a sense of normality while pursuing a big dream, and her deep love for life and people truly resonated with me. She’s a strong woman with so much heart, and I can’t wait for the world to get to know her.

What makes ‘Christmas in the Spotlight’ stand out among holiday romance films, and what do you hope audiences take away from it?

I believe the performance quality and romance in the limelight is something unique about this holiday movie. The combination of artistic entertainment and sport is something many different people can relate to and enjoy in addition to the holiday romcom, easy-watching aspect of it all. I hope viewers feel inspired to follow their hearts, stay true to themselves, take risks, fight for what they want, and overall just have an excuse to bring their family and loved ones together for a fun holiday movie.

You started ballroom dancing at age 4. What drew you to dance at such a young age, and how did it impact your sense of discipline and confidence as you grew up?

My mum danced ballroom at our local church in England and she absolutely loved it and the instructors she worked with. Not knowing what to do with all my energy as a very ambitious little 4 year old, my parents decided dance only made sense for me too. Dance has definitely shaped me into who I am today and will always be part of me. When we moved to our small town in Canada, I began training and competing in all styles of dance, from ballet, to hip hop, to musical theatre. Growing up a competitive dancer, there’s a certain level of confidence, self-discipline, willingness to learn and ability to take criticism gracefully. I truly believe these qualities have gotten me to where I am today and will continue to serve me throughout the rest of my life.

How did your early training in dance prepare you for the world of acting, especially in handling challenges and critiques?

The entertainment industry is a world of rejection. As a dancer, you have to be able to handle critique and have the ability to adapt. I believe that in order to succeed in a career of entertainment, you must remain resilient and constantly strive for growth. Luckily, I love criticism. It’s a quality I’m working on. I am a total perfectionist in everything I do, which isn’t necessarily a good thing, but I do think it’s allowed me to always take criticism as a positive thing since I only see it as a way to be better. I’m constantly striving to be the best version of myself in all aspects of my life and I truly believe my abilities as a dance performer have brought me some of my greatest opportunities.

You’ve acted in a variety of genres, from action thrillers to family dramas. How do you adapt to such diverse roles, and do you have a favorite genre to work in?

Starting at such a young age, I’ve adapted to so much change throughout my life. From moving at the age of 6 from the UK to Canada, I moved around multiple different dance studios because I was either bullied or we were evicted without warning from our studio head, or the toxic environments that dance can have. I also moved high schools because I was bullied at my first one, I moved out when I was 16 to go to dance college, moved to Paris on my own to film my Disney series when I was 18, and moved to LA on my own when I was 22. I’ve always had to adapt to change and I think that’s allowed me to become a versatile actor as well. I always pull from life experience and I genuinely enjoy connecting to characters even when it feels like a challenge. When a role feels far from related to me, it can make the experience of bringing that character to life even more enjoyable. I just love the entire process of creating film no matter what the genre may be, it really excites me.

Can you share the inspiration behind starting your  own jewelry line, Bizouxx? How does it reflect your own journey and personal values?

Bizouxx was the beginning of my season of self-love and my passion to make a difference through my love for fashion and inspiring other women. The name is a play on the word “bisou” which is French for “kiss”. Inspired by my love for French culture and how I always sign off my name with an x for a kiss. The desire to create my own brand has always burned within me. Bizouxx isn’t just about jewelry, it’s a reflection of my journey towards self-discovery and embracing the essence of womanhood. I wanted to create more than just pretty trinkets, I aim to inspire others to embrace their divine femininity, owning what makes us who we are and essentially deepening the relationship with ourselves. 

I think the world could always use a little more feminine energy to bring the light, nurture and compassion. I am so blessed to have incredible women in my life that have inspired and supported me every step of the way as I grow into the woman I am. For my very first launch, I decided to name my pieces after these women, my best friends including my mum and nana. This made the launch of my brand even more meaningful and personal to me.

Bizouxx aims to encourage self-discovery and embracing femininity. Why is this message important to you, and how do you hope to inspire others through your brand?

I want women to feel empowered, to feel confident, to feel special, because they are. I love women and I love fashion. I can only hope that people who wear my jewelry feel closer to themselves as they choose pieces that resonate with who they are, and allow them to express themselves through beautiful jewelry that holds so much meaning. I want to empower and encourage others to unleash their intuition, sensuality, compassion and creativity. 

You’re an actress, dancer, musician, and entrepreneur. How do you manage these multiple roles, and do you have a particular creative process that helps you stay focused?

It’s a combination of true love for what I do, and a lot of late nights. I’m usually up til 2-3AM, but I’ve always been a night owl and I get so much work done when the rest of the world is sleeping. I find that taking a dance class or finding a studio where I can move my body allows me to take a pause to reconnect with myself and my creative process. I also prioritize going back home to see my family as much as I can, which really helps me stay grounded and focused on the things in life that truly matter. I always make time for God and to remain deeply connected in my faith. I’m truly so grateful to be busy. I’m living a dream I’ve always wanted, so while things may feel overwhelming and stressful at times, it all really is a blessing that I’m so thankful for. 

Since ‘Christmas in the Spotlight’ is a holiday film, do you have any favorite holiday traditions that you look forward to each year?

My family and I have tons of holiday traditions, but one of my favorite ones since I can ever remember has always been doing Flaming Christmas Pudding. I’m pretty sure it’s an English tradition, but a few weeks before the holidays, the family all stirs the mix of the Christmas pudding and makes a wish, then on Christmas Day for dessert, the pudding is doused in brandy and set on fire. The flaming brandy is meant to represent the Passion of Christ. 

Another fun one I always love is every Christmas Eve, all of us and the entire extended family wear ugly Christmas jumpers, no matter where each of us may be scattered around the world. I just love knowing that it’s something we all do together even when we physically can’t be. And now as an adult, I love our tradition of English pancakes and mimosas on Christmas morning. 

What’s next for you in both your acting and entrepreneurial journey? Are there any roles or projects you’re particularly excited about?

I just love being on film sets and I hope to continue leading films and to star in a series again soon. I plan to officially make my directing debut as well. I am launching a new anniversary collection for Bizouxx, where I am upgrading the quality moving forward from 18K gold plated to 18K gold filled pieces made in Brazil. It will be better than ever before, and overall I just hope to continue growing the business and its brand awareness as I continue to inspire women through fashion. This film has inspired me to tap back into the music space and I'm currently in the studio creating music, so you might see some music being released soon.