Nischelle Turner: Embracing New Beginnings at 50
What do you give someone who is an Emmy Award winner for their 50th birthday? For Nischelle Turner, the answer was clear: a starring role in a Lifetime holiday movie. Known for her charisma and deep knowledge of celebrity culture, Turner, co-host of “Entertainment Tonight,” has ventured into an exciting new chapter in her career—acting in her very first feature film.
A Bold Move into Acting
A few months after celebrating her 50th birthday, Turner found herself taking a leap into uncharted territory. “I’m completely stepping out of my comfort zone to do something that I’ve never done before,” she shared with PEOPLE prior to the release of “A Runaway Bride for Christmas.” This sentiment embodies her approach to her 50th year: embracing new opportunities and reframing her sense of self.
Turner’s journey into acting began serendipitously. While hosting an awards gala earlier in the year, an executive from A&E noticed her presence and asked if she had ever done scripted work. Despite her initial reluctance—“No, I’m not an actor, I’m a journalist”—Turner decided to challenge herself. “I said to myself, ‘I’m going to do things this year that I’ve never done before,’” she recounted, highlighting her commitment to personal growth.
Taking the Lead
In a twist that showcased her ambitious spirit, when given the chance to select a role, Turner chose to be the lead actress. “They said you can choose whatever role you want, and the weirdo overachiever in me said, ‘How about I just be the lead?’” This determination paid off, as she not only secured the lead role but also had to adapt to the unique challenges that came with it.
In “A Runaway Bride for Christmas,” Turner portrays a woman who calls off her wedding in the city and heads back to her small hometown to rediscover herself. While the plot weaves romance and personal growth, Turner admitted to facing her fair share of hilarity and nerves—especially during intimate scenes. “Mark is a really great guy and a good actor,” she said about her co-star Mark Ghanimé. But the thought of kissing on camera left her feeling a bit awkward. “I don’t know how to kiss [on camera],” she laughed, showing her human side on an otherwise professional set.
Personal Reflections
Turner’s plunge into acting has led her to reevaluate her personal life. She is still actively looking for a life partner and is beginning to consider dating outside her usual preferences. “I am in these single girl streets and there is pee in the pool! It’s hard out here,” she candidly stated, recognizing the challenges of dating later in life. At 50, Turner is intent on finding a meaningful connection, whether that leads to marriage or a different kind of partnership.
Her openness to exploring new romantic avenues also reflects her broader commitment to reinvention. From taking dance classes to planning trips to Paris, Turner is making the most of her 50s, seizing each opportunity to grow and explore.
A Milestone Achievement
As she reflects on her whirlwind experience shooting “A Runaway Bride for Christmas,” Turner cherishes the achievement. “I’m an ingenue at 50!” she exclaimed, celebrating her new title as a lead actress. Filming the movie, which wrapped in just 11 days, left her in awe of the work she had accomplished. “When we were done, that next morning I woke up and was like, ‘Holy s—. I just shot a movie!’”
With “A Runaway Bride for Christmas” now available on Lifetime, Turner’s leap into acting stands not only as a personal achievement but also as an inspiration for others to embrace change and push boundaries, regardless of age.