Exclusive interview with Maria Canals-Barrera about American actress

By Jean-Paul Eliard
The 18  December 2024

Hi Maria, I'm glad to do this interview

Can you introduce yourself to the visitors of cinema-movietheater.com?

MCB: Hello, visitors to cinema-movietheater.com.

This is Maria Canals-Barrera. I'm an American actress, best known for playing Theresa Russo, the mom in Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place and Camp Rock. I'm excited to talk about my current Christmas movie, "The Merry Gentlemen," on Netflix.

What do you like in your character Denise and in the script when you read it?

MCB: What I liked about my character, Denise, in the script when I read it was that she was the "bad guy" or the antagonist in the film.

I usually don't get to play that kind of role, so it was a great opportunity to explore that kind of character.

How did you prepare for your role?

MCB: I prepared for the role by researching a bit of the real estate business.

My character has known the family for years and is rooting for them to pay their debts, but business is business and "The Rhythm Room" is no longer bringing in the money like it used to!

How is the shooting with Britt Robertson, Chad Michael Murray, Marla Sokoloff .......... and the director Peter Sullivan?

MCB: Filming with Britt Robertson, Chad Michael Murray, Marla Sokoloff, and our director, Peter Sullivan, was a very positive experience.

Everyone was prepared, friendly and all were team players. The Christmas vibe was so nice to get into ahead of Christmas season!

Where is shot this movie and where?

MCB: We filmed ‘The Merry Gentlemen’ in Los Angeles, California. Beautiful sets were constructed for the film.

I especially loved the bar, "The Rhythm Room." The scenic design was perfect for the Christmas theme and the small town setting of the movie.

What do you like at Christmas?

MCB: What I like at Christmas is so many things! Firstly, receiving and celebrating the love of God through the birth of Jesus, the Christ.

Like the Christmas carol says, "God and sinners reconcile." I love going to church and attending the Christmas concert.

The church I attend has an amazing orchestra and choir and all from the church's congregation. It's beautiful! I love decorating my home for my family, cooking Christmas meals like ham and baking Christmas cookies with my daughters.

I love dressing up for Holiday parties. I love buying special gifts for friends and family.

Remembering what the season is all about, love, reconciliation and forgiveness, too. I love it all. It's my favorite holiday.

When and why did you choose to be an actress?

MCB: I've always wanted to be an actress. Really, ever since I can remember, I wanted to be in the show!

I was in all the plays and musicals in school. All the way up to senior year of high school where I won "most talented." I auditioned for the University of Miami's Theatre scholarship and I got it.

After four years of study, I got my first professional equity play at The Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami my senior year and after that, I never looked back. After working professionally in Miami, I moved to Los Angeles and continued my professional career.

I've been blessed to work as an actress for thirty years and counting.

You won * 4 awards and 9 nominations. What memories do you have of that?

MCB: I have great memories of attending many awards shows where I was nominated and many times had the honor of winning! The Disney Channel show that I starred in, “The Wizards of Waverly Place,” won three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Children's Programming.

It was an amazing experience each and every time. We were all so excited when the presenter announced we won.

Especially the first time and the third time.

We didn't expect it! I've also won Alma Awards for outstanding actress and an Imagen Award for best supporting actress for the “Wizards” movie.

It was thrilling and such an exciting memory to win all of them.

What is your next challenge / project?

MCB: I am currently back on the “Wizards of Waverly Place” sequel, which is titled "Wizards Beyond Waverly Place" on Disney Channel and Disney+.

I am recurring as my character, Theresa, the mom in the original who is now the grandmother on the new show. I love playing the "abuela"

(grandmother in Spanish) to the new Russo kids.

The show is already a hit, just like the original one!

Do you wish to add something ?

MCB: Thank you so much. It's been a pleasure to be interviewed for cinema-movietheater.com.

Thank you very much for your interview  Maria  I wish you all the best

More information about Maria, on Facebook, on Instagram, on X, on Cameo and  on IMDb

* 2015
Imagen Foundation Awards
Nominated, Imagen Award
Best Supporting Actress - Television for Cristela (2014)

2014
Behind the Voice Actors Awards
Nominated, BTVA Special/DVD Voice Acting Award
Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short for Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (2013)

2013
Behind the Voice Actors Awards
Nominated, BTVA Special/DVD Voice Acting Award
Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short for Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012)

2011
ALMA Awards
Won, ALMA Award
Favorite TV Actress - Supporting Role for Wizards of Waverly Place (2007)

2011
Imagen Foundation Awards
Nominated, Imagen Award
Best Supporting Actress - Television for Wizards of Waverly Place (2007)

2010
Imagen Foundation Awards
Won, Imagen Award
Best Supporting Actress - Television for Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie (2009)

2009
ALMA Awards
Nominated, ALMA Award
Actress in Television - Comedy for Wizards of Waverly Place (2007)

2009
Imagen Foundation Awards
Nominated, Imagen Award
Best Supporting Actress/Television for Wizards of Waverly Place (2007)

2008
ALMA Awards
Nominated, ALMA Award
Outstanding Female Performance in a Comedy Television Series for Wizards of Waverly Place (2007)

2008
Family Television Awards
Won, Family Television Award
Actress for Wizards of Waverly Place (2007)

2008
Imagen Foundation Awards
Nominated, Imagen Award
Best Supporting Actress- Television for Wizards of Waverly Place (2007)

2002
ALMA Awards
Won, ALMA Award
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Series for The Brothers Garcia (2000)

1998
ALMA Awards
Nominated, ALMA Award
Outstanding  Actress in a Comedy Series for The Tony Danza Show (1997)