Interview by Carol Wright | Photographer: Starky Morillo
Annelise Cepero is an actress and singer who can be seen as one of the leads in Holiday Harmony on HBO Max, a film about singer/songwriter Gail [Annelise Cepero], who lands an opportunity to compete for a once-in-a-lifetime shot at the big time and heads cross country—only getting as far as Harmony Springs, Oklahoma when her ride, her budget, and all her hopes are stalled. Cepero talked to NYOTA about playing Gail Travers; lessons viewers can learn from the film, and working with Jeremy Sumpter.
Has singing/performing been a passion of yours since childhood?
I grew up watching my older sister do ballet and gymnastics. In true little sister fashion, I wanted to start taking ballet classes too. So I did! My mother noticed I had a singing voice, so she enrolled me in the school choir in elementary school. I always had a love for performing! In middle school, I started studying Shakespeare, and that’s what really cracked open this whole new world of the performing arts. It introduced me to a new form of self-expression and a creative outlet. I just loved it and wanted to do it as much as I could. I started taking vocal lessons, and then in high school, I was participating in stage musicals. My junior year is when I really decided that I wanted to do this as a profession. I went on to get my BFA in musical theater, and the rest is history.
Tell our readers about your film Holiday Harmony. What drew you to the film and the character Gail Travers?
I loved the story and the script from the first time I read it. I was really interested in the musical aspect of it and the fact that, yes, it was a holiday film, but we also had these real and raw emotional moments throughout the story. As an actor, I thought it would be a great character to bring to life. I love Gail’s passion, I am really inspired by her resilience, and she has a positive spirit that I feel is infectious to others in the story.
Gail is someone who is used to moving, moving, moving, and figuring out how to conquer her dreams on her own, and in Harmony Springs, she starts to learn to lean on other people. Do you have a favorite moment from the film that shows Gail’s personal growth?
Being stuck in one place for a period of time teaches Gail to slow down and gives her the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with other people. I think Gail’s personal growth is shown from when she first starts teaching the kids! Being put in a position of educating these children, Gail learns many things about herself along the way. Especially the importance of supporting each other and working together. I also believe the intimate conversation between Jeremy and Gail on the roof is a pivotal moment in the film, and from that moment, Gail’s perspective on trust and leaning on other people changes.
Throughout the film, Gail helps Jeremy break out of his shell and find joy again. Did you and your co-star Jeremy Sumpter spend a lot of time off-set to create a genuine bond that would translate on screen?
Jeremy and I became great friends during the filming process! Our trust off-screen definitely made it easier to have that bond on screen. I would go out to dinner with him and his wife, and we would rehearse lines together the night before filming. They had us all staying in the same hotel, so it was kind of like summer camp in the best way. Jeremy and our director Shaun and I would frequently have jam sessions in the hotel lobby. Not sure how much the other guests loved that, haha! We had a lot of fun together, most importantly.
One of the main messages of the film is the importance of staying true to yourself and trusting your own instincts. What are some lessons you hope viewers take away after watching?
Holiday movies are about spreading Joy. They are about love, family, fun, and community. In our movie, we have all of that and also the magic of music. Music is transcending. It makes you feel something, takes you on a journey, and opens up your heart. I feel honored to be spreading joy at a time like this in our world. I hope the message of trusting your heart and following your voice connects with our viewers.
What advice do you have for aspiring actors and performers?
You can’t go forward while looking left and right. By that, I mean don’t compare your journey to others. Your journey is only yours, and that’s a special thing! And remember why you started and remember why you love it. That’s a piece of advice I carry with me all the time.