Texas entertainer Hailey Knudsen is bringing a little Hollywood magic home.

The multifaceted performer, media personality, and sixth-generation cowgirl is set to star in the upcoming romantic holiday film “Winter White,” which begins filming in January 2027 in her hometown of Fredericksburg, Texas. Blending heartfelt romance, holiday nostalgia, and scenic Hill Country charm, the film promises the cozy emotional warmth audiences love in classic Hallmark-style movies — but with an unmistakably Texas spirit.

For Knudsen, the project represents far more than another acting role. It’s a deeply personal full-circle moment rooted in family, faith, heritage, and hometown pride.

Professionally trained in singing and acting since age five — and dancing since she was just two years old — Knudsen has built a career spanning live theater, television, film, modeling, music, and entertainment reporting. Having appeared in more than 32 stage productions and worked as a red-carpet field correspondent, she has cultivated a presence that combines polished professionalism with authentic country charm.

That authenticity makes her a natural fit for “Winter White.”

The film follows Haylie Collins, a high-profile Chicago wedding planner whose perfectly organized life is turned upside down when she travels to Texas to help plan her younger sister Sam’s rustic Christmas wedding. What begins as an attempt to transform the celebration into a sophisticated winter event quickly evolves into a heartfelt journey about family, love, and rediscovering what truly matters. Set against the backdrop of cowboy hats, vineyards, and Southern hospitality, the story explores how life’s most meaningful moments rarely unfold according to plan.

Offscreen, Knudsen’s own life reflects many of the same values woven throughout the film. Raised on ranch life and deeply connected to her Texas roots, she enjoys horseback riding, hunting, guitar playing, and working on her family ranch. Alongside her father, Scott Knudsen, she co-founded the Cowboy Entrepreneur Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting injured rodeo cowboys and families affected by tragedy in the sport.

With additional projects already on the horizon — including the upcoming feature film “Lightning Cowboy,” inspired by her family’s real-life story — Knudsen continues to establish herself as one of Texas’ most compelling rising entertainers, balancing glamour and grit with unmistakable heart.

A Natural Transition From Music to Film

For Knudsen, storytelling has always been the thread connecting every aspect of her career.

“Storytelling has always been at the center of everything I do,” she says. “Whether it’s through music, public speaking, or film and television, my heart has always been drawn to telling stories that make people feel seen and understood.”

While many fans first discovered her through her music and heartfelt songwriting, performing has been part of her life for as long as she can remember.

“Music has always been a central part of my life, allowing me to process emotions and share them in a deeply personal way,” she explains. “But acting and performing was something I fell in love with as a child. I started dancing at two years old here in Fredericksburg and moved into acting and singing by the time I was five.”

When the opportunity for “Winter White” arrived, Knudsen says everything aligned naturally.

“This project felt like the right moment because it came organically,” she says. “The writers reached out to me after following my journey online, knowing I was both a Fredericksburg local and an actor. It didn’t feel forced — it felt aligned. It felt like a door opening at just the right time.”

She also credits writers Sara Henderson and Amanda Pfeiffer for creating a story that immediately resonated with her emotionally.

“I’m so incredibly grateful to the writers for creating such a heartfelt and layered script and for reaching out to me in the first place,” she says. “Their vision for this story is so intentional, and I’m honored to help bring it to life.”

Bringing Fredericksburg to the Big Screen

Filming a Christmas movie in Fredericksburg carries enormous emotional significance for Knudsen because, as she describes it, the town is woven into every chapter of her life.

“It means everything,” she says. “Fredericksburg is where I learned to dream. It’s where my family built our life, where I found my love for performing, where I fell in love, and where so many of my values were shaped.”

For Knudsen, combining her passion for acting with the town she calls home feels especially meaningful.

“To have the opportunity to produce and act in a Christmas movie taking place here in Fredericksburg, surrounded by the people and places that raised me, feels incredibly full circle,” she says. “I’ve always had big dreams of being in film, but I’ve also always carried deep pride in where I come from and my roots.”

She believes the town itself will become one of the film’s standout characters.

“It’s not just a filming location to me — it’s home,” she says. “Fredericksburg itself plays such a huge role in the film, and I am so excited for its beauty at Christmastime to be shared with the world.”

Finding Herself in Sam

In “Winter White,” Knudsen portrays Sam, the free-spirited younger sister whose whirlwind romance becomes the emotional center of the story.

“Sam has this beautiful balance of positivity, spontaneity, independence, and vulnerability,” Knudsen explains. “She’s strong, expressive, and unafraid to chase what feels right in her heart, even when it doesn’t fit into a perfectly structured plan.”

That emotional fearlessness is something she personally relates to.

“I resonate with her willingness to take risks,” she says. “She doesn’t always have everything figured out, but she leads with sincerity. I think there’s something very human about that.”

The role also feels particularly personal because Knudsen is entering a similar season in her own life.

“What makes this role especially sweet for me right now is that I’m about to step into an engagement season myself,” she shares. “I’ll be getting engaged soon to my high school sweetheart. We grew up together right here in Fredericksburg.”

Because of that, many of the film’s emotional moments feel especially authentic to her.

“With all the excitement around wedding planning in the film, I truly resonate with that joy, anticipation, and emotional depth that comes with preparing to build a life with the love of your life,” she says. “There’s something incredibly special about loving someone who has known you since the beginning.”

Family, Faith, and Letting Go of Perfection

Many of the themes explored throughout “Winter White” — family expectations, evolving dreams, and trusting love over perfection — closely mirror Knudsen’s own experiences.

“I think anyone who comes from a close-knit family understands the balance of honoring expectations while still carving out your own path,” she says. “I’ve always had big dreams, sometimes bigger than what made sense from the outside.”

Pursuing music, acting, and public speaking hasn’t always been the most traditional path, but Knudsen says she has learned to embrace uncertainty along the way.

“The idea of trusting love over perfection speaks deeply to me,” she says. “Life rarely unfolds in a perfectly wrapped package. Love — whether romantic, familial, or spiritual — is what steadies you when plans shift.”

That emotional openness also shapes the way she approaches acting and performing.

“When you write and perform music, you’re already practicing vulnerability,” she says. “You’re allowing people to see your fears, hopes, and questions.”

Interestingly, Knudsen admits music can sometimes feel even more emotionally exposing than acting.

“When I perform my own music, it can actually feel harder at times because I’m not playing a character,” she explains. “The lyrics are mine. The emotions are mine. It’s very exposed and very personal.”

Still, she believes that vulnerability has become one of her greatest strengths as an artist.

“That experience of sitting with my own feelings and learning how to express them honestly has given me a deep understanding of vulnerability,” she says. “And when portraying a character, that vulnerability becomes a gift.”

Christmas Magic With Texas Roots

The contrast at the heart of “Winter White” — elegant holiday traditions colliding with the rustic charm of a Texas barn wedding — feels especially fitting for Knudsen because it mirrors her own personality so naturally.

“That contrast feels very me,” she says with a laugh. “I’m a sixth-generation cowgirl. I grew up around ranch life and Texas traditions.”

At the same time, Christmas has always held a special place in her heart.

“I love Christmas. It’s my favorite time of year,” she says. “The lights, the nostalgia, the joy and community, the sacredness of gathering together, and the root of the holiday honoring our Lord and Savior.”

She believes the film beautifully captures the idea that Christmas magic exists no matter the setting.

“Whether there’s snow falling in Chicago or golden Texas light over a barn, the magic is still found in love, family, and faith,” she says.

Building the Next Chapter

While “Winter White” may become one of Knudsen’s breakout film roles, she already sees it as the beginning of a much larger chapter in her acting career.

“This film feels incredibly special because it will be one of my breakout roles, and getting to have that moment in the town where I grew up makes it even more meaningful,” she says.

The production also carries a mission beyond entertainment: showcasing and supporting the Fredericksburg community itself.

“The film will feature real Fredericksburg businesses, traditions, places, and experiences I grew up with,” Knudsen says. “And real locals will fill the background of many scenes, surrounding the story with authenticity.”

She is also stepping into a production role alongside her father, Scott Knudsen — something she says makes the experience even more emotional.

“My dad will have a cameo in the film and will also be producing alongside me,” she says. “Getting to share this experience with him in the town that he and my mom raised me in is something I’ll never take for granted.”

Adding another deeply personal touch, Knudsen is currently writing an original song for the movie.

“Bringing my music into the film allows me to merge both sides of my artistry in a really intentional way,” she says. “It feels like everything I’ve been building — music, storytelling, acting — coming together in one project.”

Looking ahead, she believes “Winter White” marks the beginning of a long-term future in acting while still remaining true to her musical roots.

“I truly see this as a beginning,” Knudsen says. “Music will always be a foundational part of who I am, but acting has been in my heart since childhood.”

At the center of it all, however, her focus remains simple.

“My goal has never been fame — it’s impact,” she says. “Acting allows me to reach people in new ways while still honoring my legacy and my roots.”

For more information about “Winter White,” Hailey Knudsen, or to follow her journey, visit her official website at haileyknudsen.com

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cover photo courtesy Hailey Knudsen

Bob Valleau is a regular entertainment writer for Texas Lifestyle Magazine.