Amber Stevens West and Corbin Reid Highlight Platonic Love in The Christmas Showdown
Amber Stevens West and Corbin Reid in ‘The Christmas Showdown’.
Credit :
OWN
NEED TO KNOW
- Amber Stevens West and Corbin Reid introduce a fresh take on holiday film traditions.
- Premiering on Saturday, Dec. 6, The Christmas Showdown spotlights platonic love through the story of former childhood best friends April and Chastity, played by Reid and Stevens West, who reconnect while seeking new beginnings.
- This project marks the actresses’ debut in the production side of filmmaking, an experience they describe as both “crazy and easy.”
A new perspective on holiday cinema is set to debut on OWN. The Christmas Showdown, scheduled for release on Saturday, Dec. 6, pivots the narrative to focus on platonic love. The story follows April and Chastity, two childhood best friends whose lives intertwine when they return home seeking fresh starts. With the planned producer of the annual Sugar Heights Christmas Eve Spectacular stepping down, both characters vie for the role, leading to a holiday confrontation that ultimately heals past wounds.
For Reid, 37, and Stevens West, 39, who forged a lifelong friendship during auditions for their series Run the World, the opportunity to highlight the importance of friendship during the holiday season was “so exciting.” “The pitch that we originally had seemed so exciting to us because we have a real-life friendship, and my friends are so important to me,” said Stevens West. “I was thrilled to tell a story about the pain of losing a best friend and the journey of reconnecting.”
Amber Stevens West and Corbin Reid in ‘The Christmas Showdown’.
OWN
Reid emphasized the film’s aim to diverge from conventional holiday narratives, spotlighting themes of friendship. “Every holiday movie follows an ambitious woman returning home for the holidays, where she realizes she’s overlooked love in her pursuit of success,” she noted. “We rarely see stories focused on friendship; we wanted to illustrate the bond of two friends who feel like sisters.”
Amber Stevens West, Bresha Webb, and Corbin Reid in ‘Run the World’.
Starz
Reid reflected on the positive reception of Run the World, which celebrated female empowerment and friendship, noting that viewers are eager for more diverse love stories. “People have seen the conventional romance too often,” she remarked. “Friendship love, which resembles chosen family, is beautiful yet complex.” She added that the film’s narrative captures the competitive but loving dynamic between the two leads, akin to sisterly love.
The strong friendship between Reid and Stevens West translates seamlessly to their on-screen chemistry. Working together to develop the film felt natural for the pair. “From the moment we met, we clicked immediately,” said Stevens West. “Collaborating on this project was effortless; we always understood each other and offered grace.” Reid echoed this sentiment, noting their synergy facilitated the development of the story.
Amber Stevens West and Corbin Reid in ‘The Christmas Showdown’.
OWN
The Christmas Showdown presents Reid and Stevens West with their first venture into filmmaking, an endeavor that involves pitching and executing their unique idea. The duo describes the journey as both challenging and rewarding, reflecting on the network of relationships they’ve cultivated in the industry over the years. “The effort we’ve put into establishing connections formed the backbone of this project,” asserted Stevens West.
As they navigated the role of executive producers, Reid expressed that the experience felt long awaited. “Everything came together seamlessly, highlighting the significance of timing,” she noted.
Amber Stevens West and Corbin Reid in ‘The Christmas Showdown’.
OWN
Throughout their production journey, Reid and Stevens West developed a deeper connection with their craft and honed their appreciation for the industry. Reid highlighted that while she had prior experience behind the scenes, creating a project from scratch intensified her understanding. “Each step in bringing a personal concept to life was invigorating,” she noted.
Reid also emphasized how their collective efforts contributed to the film’s authenticity. “The genuine connection we share is something the audience seems to resonate with,” she added.
Amber Stevens West and Corbin Reid in ‘The Christmas Showdown’.
OWN
Love and friendship are interwoven throughout The Christmas Showdown, from conceptualization to production. The actresses hope viewers will sense the affection and effort evident in every scene. They encourage audiences to cherish joyful relationships and explore the love found in platonic connections during the holiday season. Reid remarked that the film aims to highlight the joy found in non-traditional relationships.
Sharing similar sentiments, Stevens West urges viewers to appreciate their friendships. “There’s no need to feel pressured into romantic relationships during the holidays. Other forms of love deserve equal investment,” she stated.
The Christmas Showdown premieres on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
