Maria Canals-Barrera Is Returning For ‘Camp Rock 3’: ‘I’m So Excited Because the Fans Are So Excited’
The actress shares what it was like to work with the cast of the original ‘Camp Rock,’ including Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers
Key Takeaways
- Maria Canals-Barrera shared what it was like to reprise her role after 15 years.
- The actress detailed what it was like working with Demi Lovato before she was a major star.
- Canals-Barrera is excited for fans to tune into 'Camp Rock 3' and see all of the Easter eggs.
Nearly two decades after Maria Canals-Barrera first played Connie Torres in Camp Rock, fans still approach her to tell her what the Disney Channel movie—and her character—meant to them. It’s an experience she also shares from her years playing Theresa Russo, mother of Selena Gomez’s Alex Russo, on Wizards of Waverly Place.
“People get emotional when they talk to me about Camp Rock, Connie and what she meant,” Canals-Barrera shared exclusively with Woman’s World. “There was a lot of heart in those two incredible franchises [Camp Rock and Wizards of Waverly Place], where people were touched and moved, and that just blows me away.”
With 8.9 million people tuning in when it first premiered, Camp Rock has gone on to become the #3 most watched Disney Channel Original Movie ever, not only launching the careers of Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers, but earning a fanbase that still exists today.
Canals-Barrera starred as Connie Torres, the mother of talented singer-songwriter Mitchie Torres (Demi Lovato) in both Camp Rock (2008) and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010). In the original film, Mitchie desperately wants to attend Camp Rock, where she can begin to pursue her dreams, but the only way she can is if Connie takes her catering business there. Not wanting her new friends and fellow campers to know that she’s helping out in the kitchen, Mitchie keeps her real identity a secret, which becomes complicated when she forms a connection with teen popstar, Shane Gray (Joe Jonas).
Now, Canals-Barrera is bringing Connie Torres back for Camp Rock 3, where she has taken on the role of Camp Director, helping new campers make the dreams of new attendees come true. Woman’s World had a chance to chat with Maria Canals-Barrera about reprising her role 16 years later, plus what it was like to work with Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers before they were world touring artists.
Connie is back in a greater role
While Connie began her journey at Camp Rock in the kitchen as the caterer, the character has moved up through the ranks and is now Camp Director, taking her unique ability to connect with talented teenagers to a different level.
“I love that she’s written as such a beautiful, caring, selfless, supportive mom, not only to her own daughter in the first two movies, but also to all the other campers,” Canals-Barrera shared. “And in this new one, the fact that they promoted Connie to Camp Director is thrilling. I can’t wait to hear the fan feedback.”
Becoming Camp Director was a seamless transition for the character and one that the actress was completely on board with. After supporting Mitchie in the first two films, Connie’s character arc from encouraging mom to a caring Camp Director just made sense.
“Their personal behavior affects their peers at camp, and it matters to Connie because she loves those kids, and she goes out on a limb for them,” she shared. “It’s not just checking a box and collecting the payment. It’s about helping make their dream come true… something that has always touched me is how supportive and generous she is of all the campers, helping them with their creativity and finding their voices. Supporting the friendships that happen and the music—she’s the real deal. She’s an amazing character, and I love playing her. ”
Bonding with Demi Lovato
Over the course of Camp Rock and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, Canals-Barrera and Lovato had a lot of time to bond and become the on-screen mother and daughter duo everyone knows and loves.
“It was so much fun filming the first one and meeting and hanging out with Demi, the cast and Demi’s mom,” Canals-Barrera shared. “It was such a special, sweet time because we had no idea that it was going to be so beloved or that Demi would be a major superstar… the Jonas Brothers were so polite to my little girl. So sweet and friendly and wholesome and kind. Demi as well. It was an incredible, sweet time and then two years later, we did the second one and that was a blast, so it’s been like a dream come true to do another one 15 years later.”
While the actress spent a lot of time with Lovato during filming, there’s one off-screen moment that has stuck with her because it wasn’t just behind-the-scenes—the moment made it into the film.
“There’s a special thing in the original movie that my character says to her when she’s feeling insecure,” she started. “I say to Demi’s character, ‘You’re really good. I hear you in your room when you’re rehearsing,’ and that actually happened [in real life]. When I was at Demi’s mom’s apartment, she was rehearsing in her bedroom and I could hear her and she sounded incredible. So when I actually did the scene, there was such an emotional recall of it because that really happened, where this young little actress was practicing for her role in a movie, and then art imitates life, and I had that exact line in the movie as her mother… I remember that being a really sweet moment.”
‘Camp Rock 3’ brings back some nostalgic favorites
Creating a third film for a beloved franchise over 15 years later can be a daunting task, especially with such an incredible fan base that is ready to be immersed back into that world.
“There are plenty of Easter eggs for fans who remember the first two movies to enjoy,” she teased. “The music, of course. The songs are rearranged and brought back, and the new music is phenomenal. The dancing is out of this world, which I always mention because when I was watching this third one, I really was blown away.”
Fans of Camp Rock will certainly adore this new story while also feeling nostalgia for the original films, with several callbacks to key moments. Canals-Barrera is “over the moon” for fans to tune into Camp Rock 3 and meet the new campers.
“Every character is very distinct and well written,” she shared. “I think all of the audience will really see themselves in at least one of the campers.”
Camp Rock 3 premieres on August 13 at 8 p.m. ET on Disney Channel and the next day on Disney+!
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