When longtime Hallmark star Lacey Chabert uploaded what looked like a new movie trailer to her social media accounts on January 28, 2025, fans were surprised to discover it was actually a clever ad for Philosophy’s Purity facial cleanser.
Chabert, whose latest Hallmark movie — “An Unexpected Valentine” — premieres on February 1, told WWD that she thought the campaign’s premise, a satirical trailer for a made-up rom-com titled “It Was Always You,” was “clever and adorable.” And since she’s genuinely a fan of the Purity line of products, it was an easy decision to partner with the brand.
The 90-second trailer, which spoofs some of the common tropes seen in Chabert’s 40-plus Hallmark movies, fooled lots of fans. In the hours since the ad went live, feedback on social media has been overwhelmingly positive, and even some of Chabert’s Hallmark colleagues have given the trailer two thumbs up.
Fans Love ‘Unexpected’ Twist in Lacey Chabert’s Mock Trailer
The digital ad, seen above, mocks a common storyline in Hallmark rom-coms as Chabert plays a single woman from the big city who returns home to her small town, looking for a “fresh start.”
As her high-heeled boots are seen stepping out of her car and into a puddle of mud on her parents’ farm, a flannel-clad hunk appears, later identified as her character’s former flame, Jake. In the end, though, it becomes clear that she’s not looking for romance, but for a skincare product that could help her “glow” again.
“I love the collaboration because, obviously, I love the romantic comedy genre — I enjoy making these movies so much,” she told WWD. “I feel like it’s always a chance to create a character where people can see part of themselves in the journey of the character. There’s a happy ending, there’s something uplifting and hopeful about these movies. And so, I thought this campaign was clever and adorable.”
Her fans clearly did, too, flooding her Instagram post with high praise — and, just as Philosophy hoped, high interest in Chabert’s favorite cleanser.
“Sucked me right in to thinking it was a new movie trailer,” one viewer wrote. “Genius! ((Adds to cart))”
Another commented, “🤣🤣🤣🤣 that was unexpected. Thought it was advertising a new film. Been looking for ‘the one’ for years, now all I need to do is change my cleanser. Maybe if I do I’ll get both. 🤔”
Someone else who admitted to thinking it was a legitimate movie trailer deemed it the “best commercial ad ive seen” and another wrote, “This is too good! Smiling the whole time I watched it 🥰”
As part of the campaign, Philosophy is giving away 1,000 three-ounce bottles of its Purity one-step facial cleanser while supplies last, according to the brand’s press release. Customers can input the code ITWASALWAYSYOU to redeem the offer.
But does Chabert actually use the product she’s touting? Sounds like that part of the ad isn’t a spoof.
“With my line of work, I’m always wearing lots of products and makeup and trying different products,” Chabert told WWD, adding that Purity is “gentle on my skin, but it’s also strong enough to take off all of that makeup, which is so important at the end of the day.”
Hallmark Stars Got a Kick Out of Lacey Chabert’s Spoof Trailer, Too
PhilosophyChabert’s fans weren’t the only ones tickled by Philosophy’s cute spoof. Many of the “Mean Girls” alum’s Hallmark colleagues and other celebrity friends, from Kaley Cuoco to Haylie Duff, commented on her Instagram post of the trailer.
Will Kemp, who’s co-starred with Chabert in three Hallmark movies, wrote, “🙌❤️👏 one for every season please!”
Benjamin Ayres jokingly expressed worry for Chabert’s former flame in the trailer, who was clearly smitten with her but overshadowed by her Purity cleanser bottle.
“Wait wait wait wait….what about JAKE tho?” he wrote, and Chabert replied, “I know. We need a sequel.”
Chabert’s “My Secret Valentine” co-star Andrew Walker, who launched his own skincare line for men in 2024, quipped, “Just wait til the big city moisturizer makes it into town and gives the country cleanser a run for its money…”
And Hallmark actor and director Peter Benson called the ad “Absolutely fantastic 👏”
Chabert’s real-life new release, “An Unexpected Valentine” co-starring Robert Buckley, premieres on Hallmark Channel at 8 p.m. Eastern time on February 1.
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Fans Fooled by Lacey Chabert’s New Spoof of Her Hallmark Movies: ‘Too Good!’