What To Know
- Maria Canals-Barrera returns as Mitchie’s mom, Connie, in Camp Rock 3.
- She teases Connie’s new role at Camp Rock and where her daughter, originally played by Demi Lovato, is today with TV Insider.
- Camp Rock 3 premieres August 13 on Disney Channel and the next day on Disney+.
The Jonas Brothers aren’t the only original cast members returning to Camp Rock for the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie sequel! Ahead of the highly anticipated premiere of Camp Rock 3, OG star Maria Canals-Barrera sat down with TV Insider to discuss the return of the franchise, her character Connie’s new role at everyone’s favorite camp, and, of course, where Connie’s daughter, Mitchie (Demi Lovato), is today.
This year, Canals-Barrera returned to Disney for both Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, where she reprised her role as Theresa Russo, and Camp Rock 3. She explained, “It has been an incredible gift that they both are happening again and at the same time. I’ve been asked about it for years by all the fans, ‘Is there going to be a Camp Rock 3?’ Because there was some buzz 15 years ago that it’s possibly happening, so they were kind of like expecting it.” She continued, “I just have been on cloud nine and very grateful to return to this incredible nostalgic moment.”
Connie knows firsthand that legends are made at Camp Rock. From the trailer alone, it’s clear that Connie has taken on a role much larger than caterer in the years since we last visited Camp Rock. Now, Mitchie’s mom is the Camp Director.
According to Canals-Barrera, Connie’s new role was added after the first table read. “They were going to make some adjustments,” Canals-Barrera recalled. “They said, ‘We want to have Connie do more,’ and they promoted me to Camp Director. It was just amazing. I loved the scenes that were incorporated, and it’s such a beautiful arc for my character.”
Looking back at Connie’s journey, Canals-Barrera explained, “She sacrificed to help her daughter’s dreams come true, joyfully, and then in the second movie, she has her own [catering] company. Fast forward 15 years, and Mitchie is a superstar. Connie loves and appreciates this camp so much that she wants every kid’s dream to come true. I love that about Connie. She’s very selfless and has such a generous heart that she’s encouraging all these kids and helping make their dreams come true. It’s just a beautiful character to play.”
Disney / David Astorga
The cast of the new spinoff includes rising Disney Channel stars Liamani Segura (Sage), Malachi Barton (Fletch), Lumi Pollack (Rosie), Hudson Stone (Desi), Casey Trotter (Cliff), Brooklynn Pitts (Callie) and Ava Jean (Madison), as well as Sherry Cola (Lark). With Connect 3 returning to camp, the film follows the band’s search for a new opening act ahead of a major reunion tour.
Since Lovato, who played Maria Canals-Barrera’s daughter in the original films, is returning as an executive producer, not a main cast member like Joe, Nick, and Kevin Jonas, who are reprising their roles as the members of Connect 3, we couldn’t help but ask her what Mitchie is up to today. After all, if anyone would know, it’s Mitchie’s mom!
“Oh, she’s conquering the world, baby!” Canals-Barrera exclaimed. “She’s a superstar. She’s bigger or just as big as Demi Lovato!”
Tune into Camp Rock 3, premiering August 13 on Disney Channel and the next day on Disney+!
Camp Rock 3, August 13 at 8/7c, Disney Channel
Camp Rock 3, Streaming, August 14, Disney+