WYOMING, Ohio -- Mariah Carey's Christmas movie might be her debut as a director, but she's sharing the spotlight with dozens of kids, helping them get some national airtime, too.

Sixty students from Wyoming Middle School were in the background for the pop icon's interview with "Entertainment Tonight." The school was a shooting location for Carey's "A Christmas Melody," airing Dec. 19 on the Hallmark Channel.

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Five of the students got to represent Wyoming Middle School and received a donation of $500 from Carey. The money will go toward final renovation plans for Fay Auditorium, Wyoming Middle School's home to its performing arts events.

Five students accepted a $500 check on behalf of the district. Photo provided

Carey's "Entertainment Tonight" interview will air sometime before the movie.

"A Christmas Melody" stars Lacey Chabert as a mother who moves back to her hometown in Ohio, where she falls in love with her daughter's choir teacher. Last week, Chabert delivered a special "thank-you" message to students at the school, telling them "I just wanted to thank you guys so much for letting us spend time with you in your school the last few days, and being here is going to make the movie so much better."

The film crew has shot on location in Wyoming and Hyde Park over the past few weeks.