keeping women connected - HERLIFE Magazine

of The Fighter fame in the film Predisposed, which was accepted to the
Sundance Film Festival in 2009. Christy was also the principal role in
the National IBM commercial, What Makes YOU Special and played
opposite Thora Birch in the film, Winter of Frozen Dreams.
Not one to rest on her laurels, Christy also wowed audiences as the
lead role of Beauty in the national tour of Beauty & the Beast in 2006, an
unforgettable experience for her and one she will never forget.
By 2010, Christy showed audiences that she had what it took as
an actor on a much deeper level in her profoundly moving role of a
distressed mother in the emotional drama short, The Boy Who Became
King. Through that role, she became associated with director Trudy
Sargent and with Alyson Fouse of Scary Movie 2 and Bring it On fame,
and is now producing with them a psychological thriller with comedic
elements called Summerland, currently in pre-production.
Also on deck for 2012 is What’s Hot with Christy Lee, her own
talk show through Loyal Studios in Burbank about which she is very
excited. Her natural approachability readily led to this appointment, as
she met Bob Bekian, owner of Loyal Studios, on the red carpet through
their mutual friend, Gordon Vasquez, owner of Real TV Films. Gordon
had hired Christy as a host for Real TV Films, and once Bob saw her
work, he enthusiastically extended the offer to Christy to host her
own show. “We will cover all types of topics in this weekly show, “she
enthusiastically noted. “It’s going to be so much fun.”
Despite her obvious success, which still continues to knock on her
door, Christy remains humble and down-to-earth. “I’ve been blessed, but
I will always push myself to do more. I love what I do,” she said, before
adding, “And my mom is my biggest fan. While she is always proud
of my accomplishments, she is never surprised by them. I believe that
if you do what you are supposed to do, remain grateful in the process
and always do things with an attitude of service towards others, you’ll
accomplish whatever you set your mind to. It won’t always be easy, but it
will be worth it.”
When not giving it her all in front of the cameras or on the stage,
Christy loves to spend her free time hiking, running, playing with her
adorable three-year-old Yorkie, Baxter, and just hanging out at the beach.
She even enjoys being part of an adult kickball league. “I am far from
high-maintenance,” she laughed. “I enjoy the simple things that don’t
cost any money.” Sure, she’d love to travel the world one day, but right
now, her focus is on her work.
Even though she feels right at home in Hollywood, she still misses
her roots in New York, especially when it comes to the people here.
Christy has deep admiration for the genuine nature of the people of the
Capital Region, a quality she confesses can sometimes be rather elusive
in Hollywood. As one who was born and raised here, she appreciates the
lifelong friendships she has developed along the way. “I tend to gravitate
towards good people, and, sometimes in Los Angeles, friendships are not
always as sincere as they might seem to be. I have come to appreciate the
authenticity, values, integrity and loyalty of the people in my hometown.
They showed me what a good person truly is,” she reflected.
One local favorite whom Christy admires is Benita Zahn, anchor
for WNYT. “Benita is not only beautiful outside, but inside as well,”
expressed Christy. “She is intelligent, talented, successful and totally
down-to-earth. I have watched her since I was a small child. Now she is
singing and doing comedy and theater and I am so excited for her. She is
such an inspiration.”
Christy’s greatest fan, her mom, is also a dynamic inspiration for her.
“She raised two kids from a very young age, and while we may
have had our differences over the years, I have come to learn that she is
a survivor who graciously taught me the core values of honesty, loyalty,
love and forgiveness,” Christy reflected and then smiled, “You want my
mother on your team. Otherwise, you’ll lose the game.”
Before the conversation ends, Christy’s undeniable enthusiasm
for life reminded her to tell me the story of when she went sky diving in
Kauai awhile back. “That was the most exciting two minutes of my life,”
she beamed. “I have never been happier in those two minutes.”
By all accounts, it seems the rush associated with sky diving will
carry over into her career, and I have reason to believe that her life will
be the happiest ever. Even jumping out of a perfectly good airplane
above a gorgeous landscape below can’t trump what’s ahead for this
promising actor.
“I want people to know that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.
You can be whatever your heart desires if you set your intention and
believe in yourself. I truly feel that the only things in life we regret are the
things we do not do,” Christy emphasized. Here’s to a life of no regrets! ■
For more information, visit Christy at christyleehughes.com.
18 HERLIFEnewyork.com