Kat Harlton
Photos: Provided via artist
Poster: Copyright of Netflix
Actress Sarah DeSouza-Coelho is set to star in the upcoming highly anticipated holiday rom-com HOT FROSTY alongside Lacey Chabert, Lauren Holly, Chrishell Stause and Joe Lo Truglio. It’s a new, original movie premiering Wednesday, November 13, on Netflix.
Sarah portrays Nicole who is a waitress at Cathy’s (Lacey Chabert) diner. Funky and earnest, Nicole dutifully looks after her customers and works towards breaking her record for daily tips.
I had the opportunity to chat with Sarah about her role, what she hopes the audience connects with and what’s next.
Kat: “Hot Frosty” sounds like a charming holiday treat. What drew you to this project and your character specifically?
Sarah: I think everyone loves those Christmas movies that feel like a hug. But what caught my eye about Hot Frosty in particular was the quirkiness and humour in the script. The characters are also very unique and memorable. When I saw that my character, Nicole, was a waitress, I immediately tapped into her perky, go-getter, customer service-esque energy. All those years of working in customer service came in handy!
Kat: Working with such a talented cast, like Lacey Chabert, Lauren Holly, Chrishell Stause and Joe Lo Truglio, must have been a blast. Any fun or memorable moments on set you can share?
Sarah: It was a dream come true to work with such living legends that are in some of my favourite movies and shows of all time. There was a day where Craig Robinson asked me if I’d like a carton of eggs. We were all shooting the movie away from home and he happened to buy too many. I laughed and accepted because you can never have too many eggs, right? It turned out that instead of putting it in my trailer, someone from the crew gave the eggs to Sarah from Kraft. When Craig realized I didn’t actually get the eggs, he showed up to set the next day with two bags of pre-cooked boiled eggs! He’s definitely a man of his word.
Kat: How do you balance bringing humor and romance to life in a holiday rom-com? What’s your approach to creating that magical blend?
Sarah: I think it starts with the chemistry between you and your castmates. When the cameras weren’t rolling, there was a warm energy in the air and when you feel comfortable with your co-stars, it leaves room for spontaneity on camera and for those magical, organic moments that are pivotal to holiday rom-coms.
Kat: Are there any specific holiday traditions or memories from your own life that helped you connect with your character?
Sarah: I’m really big on using my senses to tap into a character. Every Christmas, my family goes over to my parents’ house and my Dad is playing Christmas music, there’s a smell of Pepper Pot in the air, which is a traditional Guyanese stew and my Mom has the house decorated to the nines. During filming, these memories helped me bring that energy to the camera.
Kat: This film is coming out at a time when people crave feel-good content. What message or feeling do you hope viewers take away from “Hot Frosty”?
Sarah: The holidays aren’t always an easy time for everyone, so I hope viewers are reminded that love and family don’t have to be conventional and that doesn’t make it any less special. Not only does Cathy, played by Lacey Chabert, fall in love with a snowman, but we see how loved and supported she is by her family, which consists of her coworkers and townspeople.
Kat: Can you give us a sneak peek into any particularly funny or heartwarming scenes that we can look forward to?
Sarah: There is a scene towards the end that includes the entire cast and let’s just say it’ll defrost your heart!
Kat: As someone with a growing career, what have been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned along the way?
Sarah: One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to treat the audition like the job. Once I started embodying my characters as if I already booked it, I started stressing less about being rejected and having so much more fun throughout the (sometimes discouraging) process. Another important lesson I’ve learned is that everyone is on their own career journey. Some actors are lucky and become an overnight success. But for other actors, it takes years to get a sliver of that, and that’s okay! We’re all on our own timeline and this role was absolutely worth the wait.
Kat: How do you prepare for your roles, especially in a genre like romantic comedy that requires both emotional depth and comedic timing?
Sarah: I grew up watching and admiring rom-coms. It’s a genre I’ve studied relentlessly. On one hand, doing as much prep about your character’s backstory and relationships to the other characters in the script is really important. On the other hand, trusting yourself enough to forget about any ‘plans’ you had for the scene and allowing your character to live organically in the world you’ve created.
Kat: What’s it like knowing that your film will reach a global audience with Netflix?
Sarah: It feels like a dream come true. I’ve been acting professionally for 10 years and like many actors, our careers ebb and flow. As much as I would’ve wanted this when I first started acting, I’m in a place now with my craft and commitment to the work where I genuinely feel ready for this next phase in my career.
Kat: Finally, what’s next for you after “Hot Frosty”? Any upcoming projects or dream roles you’re excited about?
Sarah: Growing up, it wasn’t very common to see actors that look like myself on screen. Today, as a Guyanese-Canadian artist, I have the platform to inspire others to go after their dreams. Up next, in collaboration with Colrize Productions, I’m developing a 6-episode digital series entitled Back to One, which explores the trials and tribulations of a 20-something aspiring Guyanese- Canadian actress as she navigates the film industry, romance and family dynamics. I’ve also written a rom-com entitled Five More Minutes, which I hope to find a home for in the coming months.
Connect with Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_desouza