The Mistle-Tones 2012

Holly Tia Mowry is buzzing with anticipation as she auditions for the Snow Belles, a Christmas‑themed pop group founded by her late mother. When the lead singer, Marci [Tori Spelling], dismisses her for arriving late, Holly still takes the stage and delivers a dazzling audition, only to be crushed when Marci passes her over in favor of Staci [Britani Bateman]. Despite the setback, Holly’s sister suggests she pursue her own path, and the idea begins to feel worth pursuing.

Determined to prove herself, Holly sets her sights on a local Christmas Eve celebration. The mall manager agrees to host auditions as a publicity stunt and invites her fledgling group to compete. Holly pulls together a makeshift lineup from her coworkers: her best friend AJ [Andy Gala], the big‑hearted Larry [Jason Rogel], and Bernie, a shy HR manager. They start rehearsals in a dusty company warehouse, and after the second day AJ tells Holly they’re close, while Holly feels they still need something more to stand out.

That night, a close call on the road leaves Holly seeking shelter in a nearby tavern, where she discovers Nick [Jonathan Patrick Moore], her driven boss, isn’t the stiff executive she assumed he was—he’s a crowd‑pleasing performer on the karaoke stage, bursting with energy as he belts out a powerful version of “Burning Love.” Holly records his performance and uses the footage to gently pressure him into helping the Mistle‑Tones become a real rival to the Snow Belles. Nick initially agrees but insists he won’t be a formal member of the group. Yet his warmth and stage presence begin to win him over, and he gradually joins in during rehearsals.

During one late rehearsal, Staci is hiding in the warehouse and records the Mistle‑Tones with Nick singing alongside them, exposing an undeniable chemistry between Nick and Holly. Afterward, Holly invites Nick to join them for a drink at Dickens Tavern—the very place where she first saw him perform. Back at home, she retrieves the mistletoe she’d taken from Nick’s office and creatively names the band the Mistle‑Tones.

As the video of their performance spreads, Marci starts to view Holly as a genuine threat and offers Holly a spot in the Snow Belles to ensure the Mistle‑Tones won’t compete. Holly contemplates the offer, and at the company Christmas party Nick interrupts the proceedings by singing “Winter Wonderland” and leading the group in a spontaneous performance. His gesture moves Holly, who realizes that the Mistle‑Tones truly need him. They share a kiss, and Nick confirms he’s already helping them; Holly makes it clear that the goal is for him to sing with the group. He nods, promising to do so the next day. But a painful twist arrives when Nick receives a call from a company executive: a promotion to lead the South Asian division requires him to board a plane that evening.

The following night, at the audition, the Mistle‑Tones wait for Nick backstage while some other acts perform. Holly tries to reach him, but Nick is unavailable, and Larry steps in to cover Nick’s part as the Mistle‑Tones take the stage. The crowd’s energy is high, but they are briefly outshined by the Snow Belles’ appearance. Holly’s spirits dip, but her father, [Reginald VelJohnson], reminds her of her mother’s love for simply singing and the joy it brought to those moments.

The family scene softens Holly’s nerves, and she receives a late call from Nick explaining he has been on a plane all night and that the promotion was something he wanted, but it doesn’t change what he truly wants. A few days later, at the Christmas Eve show, Holly witnesses a moving moment: a mother and daughter in the crowd evoke memories of her mother’s warmth. When she reaches the bottom of the stairs, she sees AJ, Larry, and Bernie waiting, and then Nick appears, stepping forward with a heartfelt request to sing with her. He explains that he turned down the promotion to stay by her side. With a spark of resolve, Holly agrees to sing, and the two culminate in a joint performance that lights up the town as the Snow Belles watch from the wings.

In a final, shared moment on the makeshift stage, the Mistle‑Tones and Nick deliver a duet that captures the spirit of the season: collaboration, second chances, and the conviction to follow what truly matters. The crowd’s cheers rise around them as Holly and Nick acknowledge the journey they’ve shared and the bright future they’ve chosen together, underscoring the message that music can heal, unite, and triumph over doubt.