One thing that most Hallmark films have in common is their tendency to bring people together in unexpected ways. Whether it’s family, friendship, or romance, it’s often a favorite aspect for fans.
“Christmas on Call” star Ser’Darius Blain couldn’t agree more. However, the actor is bringing people together with his travel company, Top Shelf Getaway.
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images“My favorite part of any Top Shelf Getaway, is always getting strangers to meet,” Blain told People. “Seeing that connection, seeing people go from complete strangers to best friends, in a matter of 24 hours, that’s always one of my favorite aspects of the weekend.”
Ser’Darius Blain Says ‘Human Connection’ Is the Core of Top Shelf Getaway
Blain conceived the idea for the company following a challenging period in his life. “My brother was murdered, my girlfriend and I had gone through a devastating loss/relationship ended, my best friend embezzled $150,000, as well as a number of other challenges,” he wrote on Top Shelf Getaway‘s website. Top Shelf Getaway has hosted 2,800 guests on 34 trips in 15 countries since its 2020 launch.
“Human connection is what this was always about,” the “Holidazed” star said. “I just wanna create a social space where people are creatives. It’s really hard to make friends as an adult, so that’s why I wanted to create this.”
Blain admitted that he spent more than a decade working in restaurants, and that he loves “taking care of people.”
“My family is Haitian and Dominican, and so when someone comes to your house, you’re supposed to wait on them hand and foot,” The “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” star said. “So this was sort of an opportunity to be able to wait on people hand and foot.”
“Human connection is what this was always about. I just wanna create a social space where people are creatives,” he added. “It’s really hard to make friends as an adult, so that’s why I wanted to create this.”
Ser’Darius Blain Finds Creative Freedom in Hallmark Projects
In 2024, Blain talked to Pop Culture Planet about working with Hallmark. While he admitted that he’d initially been discouraged by his team to take part in a Hallmark project, the experience has been enriching.
“‘Caribbean Summer’ was the first one that I got to do, with Heather Hemmens, about two years ago,” he told Kristen Maldonado. “This is only my third Hallmark project within a three-year span.”
“Something about that first project, ‘Caribbean Summer,'” he continued. “I got to read it and I was like, ‘this isn’t a typical Hallmark movie.’ It’s very different; it’s got some drama to it, as well. No matter what project I do, I’m never going to let it become cookie-cutter or anything like that. I’m always going to bring elements of myself and my real life into it. Hallmark has given me a pass to be able to do that.”
“I’m really so grateful for being able to be a collaborator with them,” he added. “They really let me bring my own creativity to it, and so it’s been a really, really fun ride.”
