Who Won Hallmark’s Finding Mr. Christmas? Ezra Moreland’s Talk Finale

Hallmark is the first ever Finding Mr. Christmas the competition was brought to an end, and Us Weekly caught up with the lucky winner.

Warning: Spoilers below for the season 1 finale of Finding Mr. Christmas.

Hosted by Hallmark Darling Jonathan Bennett and Melissa Petermanthe series premiered in October and followed 10 men as they competed in various festive challenges to show off their acting skills and holiday spirit. One contestant was sent home every week for up to three – Ezra Moreland, Hayden Maher and Elijah Malcomb — the rest for the final.

In the end, Moreland, 31, took home the prize. While he entered the competition struggling to find his footing, Moreland ended up impressing the judges with his vulnerability and open heart. His first shining moment came after an acting challenge Rachel Bostonwhere the campfire breakup scene required the men to get in touch with their emotions.

“That (challenge) was the scariest because we realized, ‘Oh, we’re going to be judged on emotional availability,’ and it was weird and stressful at first,” Moreland exclusively shared with Us Weekly. “But looking back, it’s one of my favorite (moments) because it was the biggest rollercoaster, and it was kind of nerve-racking.”

Moreland noted that the challenge ultimately helped him “break down some layers” of himself that he “didn’t even know were there.” However, in the moments after the challenge, viewers got an honest look at Moreland’s personality; the model found herself in tears over the death of her late sister.

“It was a really proud moment. “I’ll be honest, because I had one goal: to be completely me and make a positive impact on everyone watching,” Moreland explained. “In the first few episodes, I remember the judges saying, ‘We haven’t really seen your personality. We don’t really know Ezra.’ And that night, after I was told that, I just said, ‘This is hard. There is so much going on. The competitive edge is up in the air and I’m mostly reserved.”

Moreland said the breakup scene helped him get in touch with his feelings, which had previously been stifled by the stress of the competition.

“I wanted to be my moody, funny, goofy, emotional self. And in this environment it was not easy,” he continued. “So to see myself breaking down and to have the opportunity to show the world how much my family means to me — and it’s kind of hard to watch yourself cry on TV — but it was a very proud moment.” I’m so happy about that.”

That wasn’t the only time Moreland left his mark on the competition. He went all out for the penultimate episode when the three finalists were asked to perform a waltz and dialogue alongside Dancing with the stars pro Whitney Carson.

“She’s the most gracefully moving human I’ve ever seen,” Moreland said of Carson. “All those guys had never (done) a waltz before.” And for her to replicate what you see at the end of the episode and for us all to be in step is so impressive. Hands down on her. She is so amazing.”

Moreland also praised Carson, 31, for her endless patience. “She could have easily said, ‘You’re slowing me down’ or put us down if we weren’t keeping up,” he said. “I was so, so grateful for her, because without someone who was that patient, it would have been a whole different story .”

Someone else, Moreland, is to blame for their endless patience Jessica Lowndes. Two stars in the upcoming Happy greetingswhere Moreland will make his acting debut. The film follows website editor Mia (Lowndes) as she crosses paths with Seattle dog shelter owner Max (Moreland) after she downs a puppy on the street. As their pets begin to fall in love, sparks begin to fly between them.

“There is so much heart and love in this movie,” Moreland said U.S movie, which premieres on Hallmark Channel on Saturday, December 21st. “My character Max starts out heartbroken, kind of closed off. He and I have a similar background in the military, which I could relate to.

Moreland — who is a former Navy rescue diver — noted that “every positive outcome” from the film is a “big thank you” to Lowndes, whose “level of skill” and “professionalism” helped him through the process from start to finish.

“Jessica (has) just helped me step by step along the way,” he explained. “And our two characters, what we go through, has so much heart and it’s very uplifting.” And (our) two dogs fall in love with this movie! It’s the cutest thing you’ll ever see. It’s just everything Hallmark is.”

Doc Finding Mr. Christmas taught contestants how to perform small scenes, Moreland said he was “shocked” by the filming process when he actually arrived on set. “I had no idea how many hours, energy and focus every single member of the production needed” to bring the film to life, he told Us.

“I was very taken aback,” he continued, laughing. “I don’t think there’s any way to fully prepare for it other than just jumping into it.” But it was so impressive. I’ve never been more exhausted in my life.”

Luckily for Moreland, there was “little time” between being crowned Mr. Christmas and being shot Happy greetings and it allowed him to brush up on his acting skills.

“I got to receive the script for the first time, meet the producers and kind of get into a real space, which I didn’t even know what it was,” he said. “But I got to work with Jeffrey Marcus, my acting coach, who Jonathan Bennett is good friends with. And that helped a lot. That was my first real introduction to breaking down a script and trying to prepare for a lead role in a movie.”

Now the film is finished and Moreland is getting ready to share it with the rest of the world — including his parents and siblings. Whatever comes after that, Moreland is ready.

“Turn it on,” he said U.S. “Somehow (Finding Mr. Christmas) is the gift that just keeps on giving. To step into life after this, as if everything is brighter.”

Finding Mr. Christmas is airing on Hallmark+ now and Happy greetings premiering on Hallmark Channel on Saturday, December 21st at 8:00 PM ET.