Hallmark star Kimberley Sustad opens up regarding how she feels during her working process, staying honest about her experience of imposter syndrome in her career. While Sustad rose to popularity through several Hallmark Christmas movies, her fear of the uneven paths shows the human side of the actress that has now become synonymous with the network.
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Speaking to Naij.com in a recent interview, however, Kimberley Sustad revealed that, like most successful celebrities, she occasionally agonizes over the feeling of not being enough. Being a Hallmark movie actress, Sustad starred in such films as A Godwink Christmas and Nine Lives of Christmas, among others, and has her own audience. But she mentioned that many times she feels as if she does not belong here and wonders whether she is in the world of Hallmark films.
“Honestly, I sSyndrome.I’m playing catch-up,” Sustad confessed. “I think I have a bit of imposter syndrome, especially when it comes to writing or taking on projects that are bigger than what I expected.”
From Acting to Writing: A New Challenge
Sustad’s journey into the world of Hallmark movie writing with longtime collaborator Paul Campbell further exacerbated her imposter syndrome. The pair’s writing partnership began with Christmas by Starlight and expanded to Three Wise Men and a Baby, both of which received positive reviews. However, even as she co-writes successful films, Sustad has doubts about her creative abilities.
“I think Paul is the more experienced writer between us, but we make a great team,” Sustad added. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m really cut out for this. The scriptwriting process is a huge leap for me, and I’m still learning.”
Embracing Her ‘Miss Congeniality’ Moment
Sustad also spoke about how often her on-screen persona conflicts with how she feels inside. Coming across as “the nice girl” most of the time on screen, she referred to her journey as somewhat similar to that of Sandra Bullock’s character in Miss Congeniality. Just like Bullock’s character struggled to fit into a beauty pageant, Sustad says in so many ways she feels like an outsider in the glitzy world of Hallmark.
“I joke that I’m like Miss Congeniality,” she laughed. “I’m the girl everyone loves, but in my head, I’m always like, ‘Am I really the right fit for this role? Should I be here at all?'”
Not that these kinds of feelings don’t come at all, but Sustad has somehow transformed insecurities into a driving force behind her personal and professional life. Her work with Campbell reflects this, too—the duo continues to develop new projects, including the upcoming My Week in Wyoming, a non-holiday comedy, and an as-yet-unannounced holiday film.
Hallmark’s Supportive Environment
While Sustad may wrestle with feelings of imposter syndrome, she acknowledges the strong support system she has found at Hallmark. According to her, the network’s positive environment has made her feel at home, even when she doubted herself.
Looking to the Future
As the imposter syndrome still continues to trouble her, Kimberley Sustad has not strayed away from her art or the stories she tells. With a host of writing projects yet to come and new movies up for release, Sustad is all set to grow as an actress and writer. Though it looks like at times she will continue to question her ability, most definitely, a star rising in the Hallmark universe.
“I’m not going to let imposter syndrome stop me,” Sustad said. “I’m learning every day, and I’m excited about what’s next. I’m embracing it all, even the moments of self-doubt.”
For the lovers of Hallmark movies, this honesty from Kimberley Sustad makes her even more relatable, reminding us that even the most accomplished stars have their moments of uncertainty.
