Hallmark actor Franco Lo Presti and his wife, Emily Alatalo, met on the set of their 2018 UPtv film, “Christmas Catch.” However, it wasn’t until years later that they reconnected and fell in love. Now, Lo Presti — who starred in the 2022 Hallmark movie “14 Letters” and had supporting roles in “Unwrapping Christmas: Lily’s Destiny” and “The Love Club” — is happily married to Alatalo and they’re expecting their first baby together.
Franco Lo Presti and Emily Alatalo Share Their Love Story
The lovebirds shared how they fell in love after meeting on the set of their 2018 holiday film as Alatalo showed off her baby bump.
“Well, we met doing a Christmas movie together, ‘Christmas Catch,'” Alatalo told Us Weekly on March 17. “And I had no idea that he was interested in me. So we parted ways and three years later, I tried to set him up with my best girlfriend, Jenna.”
Lo Presti, who has recently shot to fame after starring as Cliff Marleau in the HBO series “Heated Rivalry,” added, “In that three year span, I would always think about Emily.”
“I’d think about her and I’d be like, ‘Oh, that girl.’ Like, ‘That’s the girl that I need in my life, God. Bring me someone like that. I wonder how she’s doing,'” he reminisced. “She called me out of the blue, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s Emily.'”
After learning that Alatalo was trying to set him up with one of her girlfriends, the “14 Love Letters” star stopped her and instead asked her out for a cup of coffee.
“And then he said the best line ever,” Alatalo recalled. “I said, ‘Well, I’m a little bit busy this week, but I’m not sure.’ And he said, ‘Well, listen, Emily. You let me know when you’re free, and I’ll make time for you.'”
“I guess it worked,” he laughed.
The couple tied the knot in 2023 and are happily expecting a baby girl.
Franco Lo Presti and Emily Alatalo Continue to Work Together Onscreen
Since turning their friendship into a romantic relationship, Lo Presti and Alatalo have reunited onscreen for multiple projects, including 2023’s “Christmas Time Capsule,” and their UpTv series, “Crossroad Springs.”
“Working with my wife was also massive with preparation,” Lo Presti said during an interview about their series. “We were able to talk about scripts together, talk about our scenes together constantly. That also helps in going into my days at work.”
Alatalo gushed about her husband’s role in the smash hit, “Heated Rivalry,” sharing that he’s been receiving “so much love” from fans.
“I think [he’s] just excited by and so happy to be a part of the project,” she said. “He’s so humble.”
