For an entire generation, Maria Canals-Barrera is the TV mom. And Canals-Barrera is going back to just that in Camp Rock 3—though now Connie Torres is also Camp Director. Remezcla had a chance to talk to Canals-Barrera about returning to her iconic role 16 years later, working with Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers before they were superstars, and even getting to return to another iconic role, that of Theresa Russo, in Wizards of Waverly Place.
And the actress is actually pretty proud of being such an iconic TV mom. “To me, there’s no greater compliment than being told how much they resonated with my character in such a motherly way and they felt loved as a mom loves. There’s nothing more important.”
But Canals-Barrera also got to be in the room with Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers before they were big stars and then got to see them now, once again. “It’s shocking because they’re not kids at all. They’re in their thirties. It’s not even like they’re like 20-something where you’re still growing up. They’re in their thirties, and it’s like, how did this happen? How did the Jonas Brothers become fathers? And it’s fun because when I saw them, I was like, you guys, we’re all girl parents. We all have girls. That’s so funny.”
And fun, too. Canals-Barrera stressed that she had fun. “Oh, it’s so fun. I mean, singing and the dancing, incredible, incredible singing and dancing. The songs are so catchy. It’s just fun. It’s like going to camp, but we’re making a movie, and we get to really have fun, and we get to really dance. Well, they dance. I get to watch them. We get to really like eat together and go out together and walk around the camp together and experience the fun of creating new friendships together by working together, meeting new people. It’s like a vacation when you film a movie like Camp Rock. It’s all fun.”
Plus, the camp looks just like the original, even if they filmed in a different place. “They replicated as much as they could. And I think they got it right. The real fans are going to catch all the Easter Eggs.”
For our communities, part of the excitement of a movie like this is that camp isn’t exactly part of our culture. “Growing up in Miami with Cuban parents, I think a lot of Hispanic households are like this… You don’t sleep away from your house. So, it’s not a big cultural thing for at least for my family of Cuban heritage.” Canals-Barrera shared, adding that she still thought the experience was very positive.
Connie Torres isn’t the only character she’s gotten to revisit lately. Theresa Russo also returned in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, where she played the mother of Alex and Justin Russo. “That was exciting for me. What a gift. Honestly, this business is so like unpredictable. So, the fact that a sequel to Wizards even happened was. And, you know, David and Selena made it happen. And of course, we all want to be in every episode. But the fact that I got to do a few was terrific. It was so fun and meaningful.”
And if Canals-Barrera could reprise one other role, she has one in mind. “I would love to have done another season of Cristela. She was terrific. And there was a big audience that was upset that we didn’t get a second season.”
For now, Connie is part of what makes Camp Rock 3 so special. “I really love that she’s the kind of mom that cares about all kids, not just her own. It’s not like: ‘OK, Mitchie’s a star now, see ya.’ She doesn’t have to be devoted to the camp. But I think it’s so sweet that she loves what this camp did for her life, her family, her daughter, and that she wants to continue the love.”
And we’ll see that once again, as we head back to Camp Rock.
Camp Rock 3 premieres August 13 on Disney Channel and the next day on Disney+.