Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut Discusses Romance and Magic in Mistletoe and Matrimony Film

Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut embraces the charm of Christmas movies, although she’s not particularly keen on dating illusionists in real life.

The 32-year-old actress features in OWN’s Mistletoe & Matrimony, where her character Olivia is pursued by Isaiah (Etienne Maurice), who has some mesmerizing tricks up his sleeve to rekindle their romance.

During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly on Thursday, December 12, Chestnut revealed that her co-star did indeed perform magic tricks on set. “It was hilarious because our [director of production] was actually a magician too,” she explained.

She recognized that Maurice had some assistance refining his skills, which left her quite impressed while filming.

“He mentioned that he grew up next door to — are you familiar with the Magic Castle in L.A.? It turns out he lived next to the founder during his childhood,” Chestnut shared, referring to the renowned Magic Castle in Los Angeles, where guests can enjoy dinner and performances by magicians. “Isn’t that incredible?”

She added, “If I recall correctly, it was the founder or their child. Regardless, he had connections to the magician community from a young age, giving him a head start.”

Although Chestnut admired her co-star’s magical abilities, she admitted to Us that she’s wary of dating a magician herself.

“I’m fine with magic tricks, but the mental illusions really unsettle me,” she revealed. “People like David Blaine seem almost otherworldly to me. Their skills are astonishing.”

In Mistletoe & Matrimony, while the characters connect over Isaiah’s charming magic, it doesn’t dictate the plot. The OWN holiday film, premiering on Saturday, December 14, follows wedding planner Olivia as she is tasked with organizing her sister’s wedding just weeks before Christmas.

Despite her successes in Chicago, Olivia faces conflicts with her sister Rosemary (Asha James) and her soon-to-be sister-in-law Gwen’s (Krista Nazaire) best friend, who interestingly is also her ex, Isaiah.

After prioritizing her family life—partially due to her separation from Isaiah and her mother’s fall—Olivia must figure out what she truly desires in a relationship. With holiday surprises, magic, and romance woven in, her journey is full.

For Chestnut, starring in a Christmas movie was a dream come true, but it was Olivia’s “driven” nature and genuine care for her family that truly attracted her to the role.

She mentioned that as Olivia’s adventures unfold and she rediscovers her aspiration to become a destination wedding planner, viewers will increasingly resonate with her character. Especially as Olivia navigates her self-discovery and budding romance.

Chestnut hinted that the film features “little nuggets” indicating Olivia’s journey toward empowerment. She told Us that Isaiah strives to be the “confidence boost” Olivia needs to assert herself against her sister’s demands.

“It’s a bit about [him saying], ‘Hey, it’s not your fault [your mom fell]. You gotta live your own life,’” Chestnut stated. “I think that reminder is something we all need occasionally.”

When discussing her personal life, Chestnut emphasized the importance of “family first,” aligning with her character’s values. “However, self-care is crucial too. If you’re not at your best, how can you care for those special to you?”

While Chestnut alluded to Olivia achieving a semblance of balance, she remained coy about her character’s future with her ex-boyfriend.

“Olivia is on a back-and-forth journey. She envisions traveling the world and organizing destination weddings, yet she carries scars from trusting this man,” she clarified. “It’s about rebuilding trust from their past.”

Regardless of the story’s resolution, Chestnut hopes audiences will resonate with the “heartwarming” and “inspirational” narrative that revolves around “love, faith, and hope” this holiday season.

“We all share connections in numerous ways. That’s why the charm of Christmas movies captivates many; during this season, people are often filled with a spirit of kindness,” she concluded.

Mistletoe & Matrimony is set to air on OWN on Saturday, December 14, at 9 p.m. ET.