If you know anything about me from reading my blogs on AllMomDoes, you know that I love Hallmark Christmas movies. I’ve discussed my love for it extensively. Recently, I was given the opportunity to do a blog Q&A with Carlos and Alexa PenaVega on their new movie hitting the Hallmark Channel THIS SUNDAY called Enchanted Christmas. This couple is a breath of fresh air. You’ll love hearing about their faith, their family and their love for each other and how they balance it all.
If you haven’t started watching the Hallmark Channel yet this holiday season, here are 3 reasons why you should start THIS SUNDAY!
- Enchanted Christmas stars Carlos & Alexa PenaVega and it combines the storytelling of Hallmark we love and the bonus of dancing. (You may remember Carlos & Alexa from Season 21 of Dancing With The Stars. They were the first married couple to compete!)
- There is nothing better than the comfort of a happy ending. We all need an escape for an hour or two.
- The message of Hallmark movies is always nice, clean and family-friendly. (Tip: Get out the legos and you can play with the kids while you watch! Win/win)
Without further ado, please join me in welcoming Carlos & Alexa to the blog today! Thank you both so much for joining us.
So, You are married in real life – tell us what it is like working together and being married.
Carlos: It’s the best!!! You usually hear of most married people not wanting to work together but we absolutely love it!
Alexa: Working together was just so easy and fun. We know what we are each capable of so as “Actors” its super fun to play and explore when there are really no boundaries! Every day on set just felt like we were playing around. Working with my husband just makes everything more exciting.
What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned about marriage working in the entertainment industry?
Carlos: TRUST! Trust is key and, of course, communication. Alexa and I try hard to not take jobs at the same time as to not split the family up.
Alexa: This industry can be crazy! We both met at Bible study so our foundation is in our faith. For us, it gets us through everything. It also really helps navigate our careers individually and as a couple with the decisions we make. We live in this weird time where if something is broken people throw it out and get a new one. Los and I have always had the mentality of “If it’s broke. FIX IT!” A marriage is worth fighting for. And there are times where you are tested and going through all sorts of seasons together. But that’s the key. Go through them TOGETHER. Grow through them TOGETHER!
How do you keep your priorities in check? How do you determine what is important?
Carlos: If it’s not putting a positive light out there in any way…we have to reevaluate to see if what we are doing is actually worth it.
Alexa: If you asked us five years ago I really believe this answer would have been so different. We were in a more “selfish” season. But as we’ve grown in our faith and together the big question we ask is “Is this serving others? Is this serving God?”
How do you balance life as actors with raising a family?
Carlos: We don’t allow the industry to govern what our family does. In fact, we try to do everything to make sure that what we do for “US” as a family has nothing to do with the industry. We left Los Angeles and moved to an island. So whenever we aren’t working we are at home away from the craziness of it all. Just enjoying the amazing community and raising a little island baby.
What if your child is sick? Who stays home? Can you call in sick to the set?
Alexa: Thankfully, it is usually just one of us working at a time. So one of us is almost always with Ocean. But obviously while filming “Enchanted Christmas” there were times where we were filming together! My sister Krizia was there to help us and Ocean was always a room away! You can’t really call in sick for set if you aren’t sick. There are a lot of people riding on you showing up and doing your best. It is so much more than just “ONE” person. But I can’t imagine trying to work while Oc’ is sick. That worried mama would probably kick in a little. That is probably why I always trying to keep him as close to set as possible.
What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned navigating the acting world while raising a child?
Carlos: Babe, help me on this one.
Alexa: I would say that no job is worth missing these beautiful moments together. Thankfully, we have been on sets that have been so amazing about allowing us to always be near and/or right there with each other. But there are some jobs that aren’t so accommodating. You learn very quickly which jobs to take or who to avoid working for when it comes to family friendly sets. (We’ve learned the hard way, sadly.)
How does faith play a role in your acting?
Carlos: The types of jobs that we choose… Why we are even in this industry…
Alexa: I have always enjoyed acting because I felt like God gave us both this gift… but why I used to want to act versus now has everything to do with growing in my faith. I used to want to act because it fulfilled me and I loved it and I loved the attention and entertaining people. But I know I can speak for the both of us when I say that we do this because we want to be a light in this industry. We want to make projects that get people thinking… that make them feel good…Inspired! We decided that we want to make worldly content (for everyone) but from Kingdom hearts.
Do you have your son with you on the set? There has to be a funny story to share.
Alexa: We had Oc’ on set for the entire film (“Enchanted Christmas”). I am trying to think of funny moments…
Carlos: He has only REALLY just come out of little baby to little boy phase. He has such a huge personality now. He is only 10 months but just a little fire ball. We’ll have to let you know how it goes on the next set.
What is the #1 parenting advice you have for a new mom or dad?
Carlos: I feel like what has made us successful so far is that we really listen to what he wants. We try not to force too much on him but really let him grow at his own pace.
Alexa: Obviously, we guide him! But not feeling that stress of, “Is my baby learning enough??? Where is he compared to other children? Why isn’t he doing X, Y and Z?”.
Also, I would say try as hard as you can to be “present.” Being a parent is so exhausting and tiring…sometimes it’s easy to just let the day slip by just going through the motions. But when you make a choice to be present and really listen and pay attention to your baby you discover so many beautiful little things. Just endless moments that melt my heart!
Tell us about Hallmark Channel. The Christmas movies are a big deal. What do you love about being in a Christmas movie?
Carlos: Hallmark has been the best to our family. Christmas is our favorite time of year and being able to make a feel-good Christmas movie is the best way t
o end each year!
Alexa: I have to second that in a BIG way. If I had to work for one company for the rest of my life I would choose Hallmark. They really go above and beyond and actually care! They have the BEST Christmas movies! When I think of Hallmark I think Christmas. To finally film one was such a great experience. It’s like being in a beautiful Christmas dream every day!
How do you choose the projects you work on? Do you always work on projects together?
Alexa: We try to work together as much as possible! If every project could be together we would not complain! But every project we take we really think about its effects on the family.
Carlos: I second that.
What do you love about Hallmark Channel?
Carlos: I love that we never have to worry about the roles or whether or not we would have to compromise for the project. Hallmark makes great projects that make you feel good and are safe for the WHOLE family.
Alexa: What’s not to love about Hallmark Channel?
Tell us about the “Enchanted Christmas.” What can we expect?
Carlos: Hahaha! Alexa and I being silly and lots of dancing! But In all seriousness, it is a beautiful love story. And I really like that there are moments of forgiveness and letting things of the past go.
Alexa: I think these characters are so relatable! The movie just looks beautiful and has so much heart! I love the theme of forgiveness and second chances. A lot of grace from these characters! So expect an exciting, feel-good love story that involves dancing and letting things of the past go!!!
Mark your calendar and get ready for Enchanted Christmas THIS SUNDAY on the Hallmark Channel. Visit the Hallmark Channel site for their full release schedule and when Enchanted Christmas will air in your timezone.
