Hayden Maher. Photo Credit: Wes and Alex.
Hayden Maher, actor, producer, podcast host, and coach, chatted about his latest ventures in the entertainment business.
How does it feel to be a part of the digital age now, with streaming technology and social media being so prevalent?
It’s really exciting. I grew up wanting to be in films—which I still do—but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how incredible it would be to be part of an ongoing TV series. There’s something special about getting to develop a character over multiple seasons, really exploring their journey over time.
Seeing the artistry that goes into great television today makes me want to be a part of that world. Plus, in an industry known for its instability, TV offers a level of consistency that’s pretty rare.
At the same time, I’ll always love theatre. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of live performance—the sheer terror and exhilaration of being on stage, where every moment demands your full presence.
You can’t check out, you can’t redo a take—you’re either fully in it, or you’re not doing the play. That kind of immediacy is electrifying. So in a way, I’m drawn to both ends of the entertainment spectrum: the most modern, fast-paced medium of streaming TV, and the oldest, most raw form of performance—live theatre.
As for social media, I’ve had my ups and downs with it, just like everyone. There have been times when I’ve deleted Instagram entirely and loved the break.
At the same time, “Finding Mr. Christmas” introduced me to a fan base that actually wants to connect with me, and that’s something I don’t take lightly. In this industry, you’re nothing without people supporting you.
Having an audience that cares about your work is essential, and social media is an amazing tool for that—though, of course, it’s also a slippery slope. It’s engineered to keep you hooked, feeding you dopamine in a way that can be overwhelming.
So it’s both powerful and a little dangerous, but when used well, it’s a precious resource for an artist.
How was your experience on ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’ on Hallmark?
“Finding Mr. Christmas” was truly a transformational experience for me. As viewers of the show might remember, I was in a difficult place personally—only two months before filming, I found out I was to be divorced, completely unexpectedly. I had to move out of our apartment, and suddenly, everything about my life in LA felt uncertain. My mind was scattered, and I was struggling to process everything while figuring out if I even had a future here.
Stepping into “Finding Mr. Christmas” at that moment turned out to be a gift. The nine other guys were some of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve ever met, and instead of using my vulnerability against me, they embraced me. That support made all the difference.
Beyond the competition, the experience helped me realize that I should stay in LA and keep pursuing this dream. Even though I didn’t win, I look back at my performances and know that I have what it takes to be a leading man.
If I could hold my own in the middle of such a personal storm, then I can handle anything Hollywood throws my way. So, why not go for it?
How is your brotherhood with the guys?
I’ve never been part of a group of men where there wasn’t some level of toxic competitiveness—until “Finding Mr. Christmas.” Usually, in all-male environments, there’s this unspoken alpha energy, this need to outshine the others, often driven by insecurity. But with these guys? That energy just didn’t exist.
Sure, we were all competitive—every one of us wanted to win—but there was never any malice. No one was trying to tear someone else down to get ahead. Instead, there was a generosity of spirit, a willingness to uplift each other, which I found incredibly rare and refreshing.
I usually steer clear of “tough guy” groups because I find that kind of hyper-masculine, cutthroat attitude off-putting. But this was different. These were ten guys who genuinely wanted the best for each other. The bond we built is something I’ve rarely experienced, except maybe with my closest mates back home in Australia.
Beyond that, it was inspiring to be surrounded by nine other men who have real drive—who are ambitious, hardworking, and committed to building meaningful careers. We weren’t just competing; we were pushing each other to be better. My only wish is that we could spend more time together in the future.
What do your plans for the future include? Any New Year’s resolutions?
I have big plans for the future—I’m always striving to grow, improve, and take on new challenges. Right now, I’m focusing on three key areas: health, career, and giving back.
Health: I want to get back to being more physically active. I used to play a lot of sports, but it’s been a few years, so I’m looking at joining the LA Dragons, an Australian football team here in LA. Given my frame, I’ve always been focused on building muscle, so increasing my strength and overall fitness is a big goal for me this year.
Career: I’m putting a lot of energy into “Blondies Out Loud,” the podcast I co-host with Daxton Bloomquist. We’ve been having an absolute blast with it, and I see so much potential for it to grow. I truly believe we bring people joy, and I want to keep building on that momentum.
You can listen to “Blondies Out Loud” on Apple, Spotify, Audacy, and YouTube, and follow us on Instagram if you want to chat with us!
Beyond the podcast, I’m also searching for a new manager in LA—someone who can help me land bigger auditions and take my acting career to the next level. That’s a huge priority for me this year, and I’m excited about what’s ahead.
Giving back: I’ve been volunteering at a local animal shelter, taking dogs on walks and helping them find loving homes. It’s one of the most fulfilling things I do, and I want to dedicate more time to it this year. There’s something incredibly rewarding about knowing you’re making a difference, even in a small way.
As for social life and relationships, right now, I’m very career-driven. But eventually, I’ll make more time for friends, dating, etc. For now, though, my focus is on working hard, staying healthy, and giving back in meaningful ways.
How is the ‘Blondies Out Loud’ podcast going?
Honestly, “Blondies Out Loud” gives me life. Every week, I get to sit down with Daxton and just have fun—whether we’re talking about our lives, dissecting something we’re watching, or diving into a completely ridiculous topic that no one asked for.
It’s full of joy, full of laughter, and we love the idea that we’re giving people a break from reality. If you’re listening, we want you to feel like your two blondie friends are right there with you, having a good time.
We also try to stay really active with our listeners, so we encourage people to reach out, send us messages, and let us know what they want to hear. We love the engagement, and we’re always up for suggestions.
For me, the podcast is also a huge creative outlet. It’s one of the rare places in entertainment where I have complete freedom—no one’s telling me what I can and can’t say.
Every week, we get to come up with new things to discuss, review films, give our unfiltered opinions, and just be ourselves. So yeah, it’s going really well, and we’re excited to keep growing it!
What is your advice for hopefuls who wish to get into the entertainment business?
Get better. That’s my advice—whatever form that takes for you.
For most, it means getting into a class, reading plays and scripts, then watching the films that came from those scripts. It’s about getting into character, observing people, and reading every book on acting you can find—from Stanislavski to Meisner to Uta Hagen. It’s about putting theory into practice.
But it’s not just about acting. It’s doing improv. It’s learning how to breathe. It’s using your voice—not just for singing, but for presence. It’s playing with accents, being silly, doing stand-up just to get out of your comfort zone.
It’s making art just because. It’s going for a walk without a destination. It’s meeting people you wouldn’t normally cross paths with.
It’s also about inspiration. Watch the greatest films, study the greatest directors, observe the greatest actors. Let yourself be in awe. Then apply what you’ve learned. Every single day, you should be getting better.
What does the word success mean to you?
A lot of people might dance around this answer, but for me, success in this industry is simple: it means I can make a living from acting. If I’ve reached a place where I get paid for my art and don’t have to rely on side jobs to survive, that’s success.
Whether it’s winning an Academy Award for a career-defining performance or booking a day role on a soap opera, as long as I can pay my bills and build a stable life for my future family through acting, I’ve made it.
Of course, there are dream roles and people I’d love to work with, but those are the details. The real goal is longevity, sustainability, and being able to wake up every day knowing that storytelling is my full-time job.
What would you like to say to your Hallmark fans?
I’m absolutely gobsmacked by the tenacity of support my fans have shown me. People really got invested in “Finding Mr. Christmas”—they had their favorites, they rooted for us, and for those who rooted for me.
I just want to say a huge, heartfelt thank you for getting on board. And for those who weren’t necessarily Team Hayden, I still appreciate you for engaging with the show and enjoying the journey.
As an actor, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want people to like me—it’s an affliction most of us suffer from! But this experience has also taught me that people form opinions for all sorts of reasons, and that just makes me appreciate my supporters even more.
On “Finding Mr. Christmas,” I was nothing but myself—stripped bare, vulnerable, going through one of the toughest periods of my life—and the fact that so many people connected with me means the world.
For those who were disappointed that I came in second, don’t worry—this isn’t the last you’ll see of me.
Keep watching this space, because I have big plans ahead. And truly, your kind words have given me a renewed sense of confidence. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
To learn more about Hayden Maher, follow him on Instagram.