SEATTLE — Bellevue's Megan Hilty is already a Broadway, television and movie star.
Tomorrow night she adds "Queen of Holiday Cheer" to her resume when she helps light up the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree during a live show – "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" on NBC. She’s excited to continue the long tradition.
“You know, it's such an iconic event, it's been around for nine decades. It's got such a beautiful legacy,” Hilty said.
Lighting the Rockefeller Center Tree is America’s Christmas tradition but Hilty has one that's a little more local.
“Well, what I would do as soon as I get home, I would go immediately to the Pike Place Market. I don't even have to buy anything. It's just being just walking around that, that feels like home to me,” she said.
Hilty indulged us in a quick round of holiday faves:
First question - real or artificial tree?
“I'll say artificial tree only because I like to have my trees up for two months. I put my tree up on November 2, and it stays up for two months,” said Hilty. She added that an artificial tree can endure her hectic holiday performance schedule better.
Favorite old school Christmas movie?
“Do we count 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' as old school? Because that's my favorite."
Favorite Christmas cookie?
“They make these Gingerbread Molasses Cookies covered in sugar here in New York at the Christmas Market. They’re so good. They’re probably my favorite."
Hilty may be too busy for any of that this holiday season as she's starring in "Death Becomes Her" on Broadway and it's getting rave reviews - even from Meryl Streep, who starred in the movie, and recently sent Hilty perfectly preserved flowers. Fitting, since the musical is about staying young at any cost. Hilty shared the gift on Instagram.
"Isn't that something — I just about hit the floor when those flowers arrived in my dressing room!” she said.
This star who first began to shine right here has a special holiday message for her fans in the Pacific Northwest.
“I just wanted to say a special Merry Christmas and Happy Happy holidays to everybody in the Seattle area. I miss home so much I wish I could be there, but I'm so happy to be a part of a program that's bringing the holidays to you.”
Watch NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center on KING 5 on Dec. 4 at 8 p.m.
KING 5's Evening celebrates the Northwest. Contact us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Email.