SonyaCory Lee is a multi-talented actor, singer and songwriter. We know her first hand on the social scene in Toronto. You may also recognize her in shows like Degrassi: The Next Generation, Instant Star, and The Wedding Ring. She’s always singing and dancing into a room and to say she glows is an under statement! Cory is as lovely in-person as she is on-screen in countless rom-com movies. She’s all sugar…and also a bit of spice. We love her for that! And that brings us to her latest holiday film BAKING ALL THE WAY.
Cory plays the lead as Julia Wilson in the film — an accomplished pastry chef from Chicago who heads to a Wisconsin small town bakery famous for their gingerbread. Looking to complete her Christmas cookbook curated with recipes from across the country, she finds herself at odds with Kris Thompson, the bakery’s charming but private owner, who is ambivalent about sharing his secret recipe.
The film also stars Yannick Bisson (psst… he also directs!), Colin Mochrie, Deb McGrath, and Jayne Eastwood.
BAKING ALL THE WAY will have a one-night only theatrical release on December 5 and then the film will premiere on the Super Channel on December 10.
We had a chance to catch up with Cory to learn more…
You’ve become a familiar face in the romantic-tv genre! Tell us how you found yourself in this arena?
Cory: I love working and I love the romantic-TV space!!! I have been so lucky to have had a lot of beautiful movie-of-the-week (MOW) gigs that I believe shaped my way in the genre. My first ever MOW was called “Agency Of Vengeance: Dark Rising” in 2011 and that movie set me on a path to do a lot more. Then when I did the three “Matchmaker Mysteries” movies on Hallmark I could feel a bigger shift in my career leading me to a lot more of these kinds of fun roles!
What do you love about rom-coms?
Cory: I mean what’s not to love???? My mom calls them romance novels and I completely agree. They are just so fun to shoot and watch!
Rom-coms have been around for a while but they seem to be more relatable today with stronger female characters. What can you tell us about your lead character in this film?
Cory: I love playing strong women and when “Baking All The Way” starts we find my character Julia Wilson searching for the perfect gingerbread recipe for her cookbook. She is already a self-made woman, celebrity baker and author but she just hasn’t found the right gingerbread recipe for her book. In one of the first scenes of the movie she finds the gingerbread cookie she has been looking for and it sets her on a path to find the bakery and maybe love, as well!
You’ve also worked alongside some great actors OMG Yannick and Colin! Who else would you love to work with?
Cory: I am obsessed with the female greats like Meryl Streep, Viola Davis and Sandra Oh – to work with someone of that caliber would be a dream come true! I am also in love with every show Shonda Rhimes has been involved with! I have a passion for strong female characters and Shonda Rhimes is so amazing at that! I would love to star in a show she’s written.
Shonda Rhimes would be AH-MAZING! Please keep us posted on that! We’ll manifest that for you! Okay, we want to know…do you love baking IRL?
Cory: I do love cooking and baking. My issue is I don’t usually have enough time. When I do have the time I have to say I am pretty good. lol
What are some behind the scenes secrets you can share with us?
Cory: Well on my first day of “Baking All The Way” I was oh so nervous! The first scene we shot for the whole movie I had to cry and it took everything in me to muster up some tears because I was just overwhelmed, nervous and finding my way!! I mean the cast is stacked with some pretty legendary Canadian actors and I was a little intimidated! I did shed a few happy tears in a scene with Colin Mochrie – he is just so funny and I couldn’t hold it together.
We know you have an incredible voice too! And we’ve found out that you’ve recorded the main song for this film?
Cory: I have to give a lot of credit to Jesse Ikeman, one of the producers of the film. He asked me on one of the last days of shooting if I was into writing a Christmas song for the movie and I jumped at the chance!!! I am so proud of the song! My happiest place is when I can combine my love of acting and music.
What’s your ideal dreamy holiday situation?
Cory: As I get older the holidays are all about going home to Vancouver and reconnecting with my family. I cherish my time with them! I would love it if one year we all went to a tropical location together! Yes, let’s manifest that!!
If we invited you to take part in a cookie-exchange…what would you bring?
Cory: I love a good straight out the oven chewy chocolate chip oatmeal cookie. I am a sucker for a classic cookie. I usually find all my recipes off Pinterest.
And any final words before we sign off?
This movie is my first lead in an MOW and was a dream come true! I hope my joy bursts through the screen and everyone can enjoy it!!
Thanks Cory! Can’t wait to watch with a batch of cookies!