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Mo<\/span>re than two <\/span>decades after Jonathan Bennett became moviegoers\u2019 dream boyfriend, Aaron Samuels, in the beloved 2004 comedy Mean Girls<\/i>, the actor continues to win the hearts of viewers. He\u2019s competed on Celebrity Big Brother<\/i> and Dancing With the Stars<\/i>, hosted the Food Network series Cake Wars<\/i> and Halloween Wars<\/i>, and starred in an array of highly rated Hallmark projects, including The Groomsmen<\/i> trilogy. <\/span><\/p>\n This month, you can see Bennett in two Hallmark+ features: the second season of the competition series Finding Mr. Christmas<\/i>, with new episodes dropping Thursdays, and the holiday heart-warmer A Keller Christmas Vacation<\/i>, out Nov. 9. You might just catch him celebrating the premiere at Billy Reed\u2019s in Palm Springs \u2014 after all, Bennett splits the year between Las Vegas and Palm Springs with his husband, James Vaughn. We caught up with Bennett to learn more about his new projects and what he enjoys most about desert life.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s 10 hot guys competing against each other, and the winner gets the lead role in a Hallmark Christmas movie. I call it \u201cthe little reality show that could.\u201d It\u2019s a simple show, but it has everything you want in the holidays and a reality competition: humor, decorations, and good-looking guys in Christmas sweaters competing against each other in acting and physical challenges. It\u2019s just got the formula for everything you want when it comes to feel-good Christmas TV.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s loosely based on my life with my family, because my dad would [take us] on these houseboat trips in Tennessee every summer, which he called \u201cforced family fun.\u201d I thought it was a good concept for a Christmas movie. It co-stars Brandon Routh and Eden Sher as my siblings. We go on a Christmas cruise in Europe, and it forces us to hang out. With three siblings that don\u2019t really get along, you get a bunch of comedy and growth and heart. <\/span><\/p>\n When we first came to Palm Springs during the pandemic, we realized how much this town was our vibe. When you go out to the restaurants or you go out on the strip, you see so many queer people and gay couples. I told my husband that this must be what it feels like to be a straight couple in every other town in America, where you just feel like the majority, and you feel like you are completely safe and belong here. It was that first time we came here together. I can tell you exactly where we were \u2014 sitting at Chicken Ranch. Then we went to Just Fabulous and shopped, and then we sat in that backyard behind Chicken Ranch and had Koffi. We were looking at the mountains and looked at each other and said, \u201cThis is where we belong.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Billy Reed\u2019s<\/a>, 100 percent \u2014 there\u2019s no place like it. The menu has every food you can imagine, and the d\u00e9cor is frozen in time. I think it\u2019s chic, and I love the desserts. It\u2019s a place that you can\u2019t find anywhere else. <\/span><\/p>\n Honestly, my favorite place in the desert for live music is the main stage during Greater Palm Springs Pride<\/a>. It\u2019s so festive and fun. It\u2019s not just hot headliners from Hollywood \u2014 you have people like Steven Michael\u2019s Dance Machine, which is my favorite thing to watch during Pride. It\u2019s local people living their best lives, and that\u2019s literally the definition of community.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat\u2019s Finding Mr. Christmas <\/i>all about?<\/span><\/h5>\n
Meanwhile, A Keller Christmas Vacation<\/i> takes a little inspiration from your own life. What\u2019s the plot?<\/span><\/h5>\n
What do you love most about desert life?<\/span><\/h5>\n
Where is your favorite place to dine with friends?<\/span><\/h5>\n
Best place to see live music?<\/span><\/h5>\n
Best place to celebrate the holidays in the desert?<\/span><\/h5>\n