The Disney Channel icon reflects on returning as Connie, emotional Camp Rock memories, Mitchie’s diary and the Wizards Beyond Waverly Place finale.
Every Disney Channel fan should know who Maria Canals-Barrera is, especially those who grew up on late 2000s Disney Channel. From being the matriarch of the original Russo family on Wizards of Waverly Place to Mitchie’s mom in the Camp Rock films, Canals-Barrera has made herself an icon for a generation that loves this era. For newer generations, they’ll be acquainted to Canals-Barrera in the latest film in the latter series, Camp Rock 3, as she returns to playing one of Disney Channel’s most iconic mothers once again.
Camp Rock 3 will see a new generation of aspiring singers and musicians going head-to-head to become the opening act for Connect 3. However, what they don’t know is that they’ll find connection with one another, something that Canals-Barrera’s Connie encourages along the way. While some fans are excited to see all the new things coming to Camp Rock, it can be insightful to reflect on the steps it took to get there.
I recently spoke with Canals-Barrera, who’s a Camp Rock series alumni and star, about introducing the next generation, old Camp Rock memories, reuniting with Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers, and much more!
Maria Canals-Barrera Talks About Stepping Back Into Connie’s Shoes in Camp Rock 3
It’s been nearly two decades since the original Camp Rock film came out, but for Canals-Barrera, it was easy to slip back into playing Connie again.
“I stepped onto the camp and the smell of the dirt and the trees, I love those smells and I love the character of Connie,” Canals-Barrera began. “She’s such a wonderful, self-sacrificing mom. It felt comfortable and also nostalgic for me too because I remember that time and my daughters were little and they came to the set with me.”
The first day of Camp Rock 3 for Canals-Barrera was slightly nerve-wracking, but also very exciting, because of how big the scene was. “We started with the opening scene of the movie and my heart was racing,” Canals-Barrera recalled.
“At the same time, I felt at ease. We were right on the lake, and the smells of the woods, it was just like such a relaxing feeling and we had to keep everything hush-hush. We couldn’t say the real [thing], although we had some people hiding in the woods and taking video.”
Canals-Barrera also recalled the initial rumors that sparked on social media when photos from Camp Rock 3‘s production made their way online. “They’re like, ‘I think this is Camp Rock 3 and I think that’s Demi [Lovato]!’,” Canals-Barrera added. “It was Sherry [Cola], who has dark hair and plays the band’s manager. It was fun to hide and keep everything secret for a while!”
Camp Rock 3 Was a Happy Reunion for Maria Canals-Barrera, Demi Lovato, and the Jonas Brothers
Although Camp Rock 3 is focused on the new generation, that doesn’t mean that old series alumni could return. Aside from the Jonas Brothers returning, Demi Lovato is also confirmed to return as Mitchie, having a sweet reunion with her mother and friends. Canals-Barrera also went into detail with how that first reunion felt like for her.
“I loved seeing the JoBros, who are now daddies,” Canals-Barrera said. “That was very cool and I couldn’t believe it! I couldn’t believe they’re in their 30s.”
“I thought it was exciting that we’re all girl dads and moms. I have girls and they all have girls so far. It was incredible because they’re men now and talking with them as young men was really cool. I got to meet Nick’s wife, Priyanka [Chopra-Jonas], who’s [a] lovely, incredible actress.”
“Some of the scenes actually reminded me of the scenes from the first and second movie. I remember when we did the first one and they performed ‘Play My Music’ on the stage at camp and we were all in the audience watching. We also got to go to the Jonas Brothers concert in Vancouver, which was a lot of fun!”
However, stepping back onto the set that made Camp Rock what it is today, Canals-Barrera was swept away by all of the memories she had while filming.
“That made me a little emotional too, because I had some juicy scenes in the kitchen. I remember when I was defending Mitchie and cooking with Mitchie. That was really sweet to go back there and to remember the theme of the movie: not being proud of who you are and where you’re at in your life.”
“You’re worthy; you’re going for your dreams and you’re not doing anything that you need to be ashamed of just because you haven’t arrived to where you want to be,” Canals-Barrera further affirmed.
“When you have that authenticity with your friends and your peers and you’re able to be vulnerable, that’s what true friendship is about.”
Maria Canals-Barrera Analyzes the Nostalgic Importance of Mitchie’s Diary in Camp Rock 3
One of the most emotional moments in Camp Rock 3 happens between Connie and Sage, played by Descendants: Wicked Wonderland‘s Liamani Segura. After finding Mitchie’s diary in her bunk, Sage decides to use it as inspiration for the song she’s writing for the Final Jam. Seeing Sage with it, Connie lets Sage have it as a “passing of the torch” moment.
Canals-Barrera talked in-depth about how emotional it was for her to film that scene. “It touched me deeply, because it took me [Connie] back to when she [Mitchie] was young and with me at home,” Canals-Barrera described.
“I let myself savor the challenge when I remember Mitchie’s songbook because there was a lot of pain. It was tied to Connie, so it’s a little bit hurtful that my daughter isn’t proud of what I’m doing.
“The maturity of a good mom is to not make it about herself,” Canals-Barrera continued. “It was written that way, but I let that sting a little bit and immediately knew that it’s not about her being ashamed of me. It’s about her, unfortunately, being ashamed of herself and she shouldn’t be and I need to empower, support, and uplift her.”
“This is like me as Connie, me as Maria, it’s like all of us. Mitchie, Demi, all of it is this big pot in my heart and mind as an actor that I’m thinking about and loving the character of Sage. It was wonderful and fun and touching.”
Maria Canals-Barrera Reflects on Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Finale and the Russos’ Last Reunion
Another Disney Channel project that recently concluded is Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, which brought the Russos back together for one more time. Similarly, many fans felt like this series was now passing its own torch to inspire other shows, like Coven Academy. However, there are some who want more from the Russos.
Canals-Barrera also touched on the similar impact the Wizards Beyond series finale shares with Camp Rock 3.
“That was great and amazing that that happened, because it wasn’t a reboot where it was all about the same cast. It was a continuation. It was David [Henrie]’s idea and Selena [Gomez], and I think it was a great idea,” Canals-Barrera said.
“Of course, I would love to be back all the time, but a continuation of a show that has ended is not a guarantee. I would speak to the fans, especially at the Comic-Cons and say, ‘How do you like the new show? I’m in the last episode of the first season and I’m coming back later, too.’ They’re like, ‘Oh, we love it!'”
Even though most of the Russos came back, fans were hoping that they would see David DeLuise as Jerry and Jake T. Austin as Max one more time. Although they did not appear, Canals-Barrera spoke on the fans’ hopes to see the Russos all together.
“It’s touching and flattering how much they loved us as a family and I totally understand why they want everybody there. I wanted to be there, of course, for every single episode, so I understand completely.”
“I don’t know all the decision making what’s going on with the network; there’s decisions, creative decisions that I’m not part of. Of course, I would love to be in every episode, but I’m grateful that I got to be in it at all and I love what they had me do.”
The Wizards Beyond Waverly Place finale did see Theresa finally take action to protect Justin, Giada, and the rest of the family by knocking some literal sense into Lord Morsus. Canals-Barrera was happy to see Theresa having the willpower to do what needs to be done.
“I think she’s accepted the challenge is what she’s done,” Canals-Barrera affirmed. “She’s accepted the challenge and she’s met the challenge of being immortal in this wizard world.”
Camp Rock 3 is now streaming on Disney+.
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Chris Gallardo
Christopher Gallardo is a New York City-based freelance entertainment writer and critic. He is currently writing for Tell-Tale TV, Nerdtropolis, Popternative and Eulalie Magazine with previous contributions to The Hollywood Handle and CoveredGeekly. He has been featured other sites including Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The Direct, Collider, IGN, and much more. He is also a massive fan of animated shows and movies, ranging from Princess Mononoke to Invincible and Arcane, as well as a big Greek mythology fan who loves Percy Jackson, God of War, and the Hades games. You can find him on X and Instagram (@chrisagwrites)!
