Alexa PenaVega

American actress and singerTemplate:SHORTDESC:American actress and singer[[Category:**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Pagetype/config' not found.**s with short description]]
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**Alexa Ellesse PenaVega** (née **Vega**; born August 27, 1988) is an American actress and singer. She is known for her role as Carmen Cortez in the *Spy Kids* film series and Julie Corky in *Sleepover*. In 2009, she starred as the title character Ruby Gallagher in the ABC Family series *Ruby & the Rockits*.

## Early life

Vega was born in Miami, Florida. She spent her childhood years on a ranch in Ocala, Florida. Her father, Baruch Vega, is a Colombian fashion photographer who was an informant for the Drug Enforcement Administration, and her mother, Gina Rue, is a former model. Vega has six siblings, including actress Makenzie Vega. She moved with her family to California when she was four years old. As a teenager, she was homeschooled.

## Career

### Acting

In 1996, Vega starred as young Jo Harding in *Twister*. She guest-starred in numerous television shows and films, including *ER*, *Follow the Stars Home*, *Ghost Whisperer*, and *The Bernie Mac Show*. She became known worldwide in 2001 for her role as "Carmen Cortez" in *Spy Kids*. The first *Spy Kids* film was a huge success, and subsequently two sequels, *Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams* and *Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over* were filmed. During the shooting of the three films, she performed most of her own stunts. In 2011, Vega appeared in the sequel, *Spy Kids: All the Time in the World*, as a grown Carmen Cortez.

 File:Alexa Vega during Repo Tour cropped.jpg  She was named one of the year's hottest teen celebrities in the July 2003 issue *Vanity Fair*. In 2004, Vega finished filming two films: *Sleepover* and *State's Evidence*. The following year, she starred in the Lifetime television film *Odd Girl Out*, as a victim of cyber-bullying. In 2006, she starred in another made-for-TV movie, *Walkout*; and finished filming *Remember the Daze*, which was released in limited theaters in April 2007. She also finished filming *Repo! The Genetic Opera*, which was released in 2008. Vega was confirmed as the lead role in *Helix*, written and directed by Aram Rappaport, which began filming in Chicago in March 2008. Vega was originally cast in the 2009 Robert Rodriguez film *Shorts*, however, due to her being in Australia for the filming of *Broken Hill*, she had to be recast. She was replaced by Kat Dennings. She appeared on Broadway in *Hairspray*, as Penny. In 2009, she played Ruby Gallagher on the ABC Family television sitcom *Ruby & the Rockits*, which also starred Patrick and David Cassidy.

Vega played Wick in the 2012 film *The Devil's Carnival*, a film from director Darren Lynn Bousman and screenwriter Terrance Zdunich, who previously worked with Vega in *Repo! The Genetic Opera*. Throughout 2012, Vega starred in the independent thriller, *2br/1ba*, directed by Rob Margolies and co-stars with Spencer Grammer and Kathryn Morris. Vega also starred in the Lifetime Channel movie *The Pregnancy Project* and her animated film *The Clockwork Girl* was completed. Vega's film, *The Mine*, which was filmed in 2010 got a limited release/screening. Vega also voiced Christina in the animated series *Unsupervised* and had a guest role on *Royal Pains*. Vega played the young heroine in Aerosmith's music video "Legendary Child".

Throughout 2013 and 2014, Vega appeared in the films *23 Blast*, *Machete Kills*, *Bounty Killer*, *Wicked Blood*, *The Remaining*, and *The Hunters*. She also guest starred on the *Big Time Rush* series finale "Big Time Dreams", playing herself. In 2015, Alexa appeared in *Do You Believe?* as Lacey.

In 2016, she began starring in a series of Hallmark made for television films, such as *Ms. Matched*, *Destination Wedding*, and *Christmas Made to Order*.

### Dancing

In fall 2015, Alexa competed on the 21st season of *Dancing with the Stars*. Her husband, Carlos PenaVega was also competing that season, and he & his partner were eliminated in Week 11. She was paired with professional dancer Mark Ballas. On November 9, Alexa and Ballas were eliminated in Week 9 and finished the competition in 6th place.

In 2019, Vega and her husband Carlos starred in the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries TV movie *Picture Perfect Mysteries: Newlywed and Dead*, and in 2020 the follow-up *Picture Perfect Mysteries: Dead over Diamonds*.

### Music

She recorded three songs for the soundtracks while playing Carmen Cortez in the *Spy Kids* films. She released her debut single, "Isle of Dreams", to promote with the release of the second film, and "Game Over" and "Heart Drive" featuring Bobby Edner for the third film. She also recorded songs for the movie *Repo! The Genetic Opera*, released in 2008.

Vega sang the song "Christmas is the Time to Say 'I Love You'" in the ABC Family film *Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe*. The track appears on the compilation album *Songs to Celebrate 25 Days of Christmas*, which was released on November 3, 2009 by Walt Disney Records. The music video for the song premiered during ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas.

## Personal life

Vega married film producer Sean Covel on October 10, 2010, in a ceremony held in his hometown of Lead, South Dakota. She was walked down the aisle by Robert Rodriguez. In July 2012, Vega announced on Twitter that she had divorced Covel.

PenaVega is a Christian. She has said that her faith is the most important thing in her life. Vega was the maid of honor at Nikki Reed's wedding to Paul McDonald.

In August 2013, Vega became engaged to former *Big Time Rush* actor and singer Carlos Pena Jr. The couple married on January 4, 2014 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, both taking PenaVega as their married name. The couple shares a YouTube channel, LexLovesLos. They have two sons. Ocean King PenaVega born in 2016 and Kingston James PenaVega born in 2018. In December 2020, they announced that they are expecting their third child.

## References

1. ↑ "5 Things You Don't Know About Alexa Vega". *Entertainment Tonight*. October 3, 2013. https://www.etonline.com/movies/139130\_Five\_Fun\_Facts\_About\_Alexa\_Vega.
2. ↑ "Alexa Vega Weds Big Time Rush's Carlos Pena Jr.". *The Hollywood Reporter*. January 5, 2014. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/alexa-vega-weds-big-time-668532/.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Alexa Vega Biography (1988-)". Filmreference.com. http://www.filmreference.com/film/84/Alexa-Vega.html.
4. ↑ Tracy, Liz (September 15, 2015). "Latina Takeover: Actresses From Miami Are Playing Big Roles for Disney, Broadway, and Hollywood". Miami New Times. http://www.miaminewtimes.com/arts/latina-takeover-actresses-from-miami-are-playing-big-roles-for-disney-broadway-and-hollywood-7899910.
5. ↑ "Alexa Forever". *RE: Questions for Miss Alexa Vega*. http://www.alexa-vega.com/forum-archive/questions-for-miss-alexa-vega.html#alexaethnicity. "My father's side is Colombian (Bogota)... and I don't know why they said my mom was Italian. lol... She's not. My family and I were trying to figure out what my mom was, but we can only go back to 5 generations and they were all from Florida. haha. so .. Floridian? ahhah... my moms last name is French though."
6. ↑ "Ex-spy has price on head, ache in heart", Miami Herald (September 7, 2009). "Alexa Vega 21 is his oldest daughter with former Miami model Gina Rue With about 40 films in her career Alexa is mostly known for her role in the Spy Kids ..."
7. ↑ "Alexa Vega Biography". Film Reference.
8. ↑ "Alexa Vega Biography". BuddyTV. http://www.buddytv.com/info/alexa-vega-info.aspx.
9. ↑ Gilchrist, Todd (July 9, 2004). "Sleeping Over with Alexa Vega" (in en-US). http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/07/10/sleeping-over-with-alexa-vega.
10. ↑ Paris Hilton gets movie musical role. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
11. ↑ ""Spy Kids" Star Vega to Join Broadway's Hairspray - Playbill.com". http://www.playbill.com/news/article/105502-Spy-Kids-Star-Vega-to-Join-Broadways-Hairspray.
12. ↑ "Two Tickets To 'The Devil's Carnival' Please". FEARnet. March 6, 2012. http://www.fearnet.com/news/b25632\_two\_tickets\_devils\_carnival\_please.html.
13. ↑ "Aerosmith Rocks a Warehouse in 'Legendary Child' Video". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/viral-videos/481815/aerosmith-rocks-a-warehouse-in-legendary-child-video.
14. ↑ Foundas, Scott (March 20, 2015). "Film Review: 'Do You Believe?'" (in en-US), *Variety*.
15. ↑ "Why Alexa PenaVega Loves Starring in Hallmark Christmas Movies". https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/why-alexa-penavega-loves-starring-120000552.html.
17. ↑ "Dancing with the Stars Season 21 Cast Announcement". *ABC*. September 2, 2015. http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/cast-announcement.
18. ↑ "Picture Perfect Mysteries - About". https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/picture-perfect-mysteries.
19. ↑ Rosario, Mariela. "Alexa Vega's Wedding Album". Latina.com. http://www.latina.com/entertainment/celebrity/alexa-vegas-wedding-album.
20. ↑ "'Spy Kids' Star Alexa Vega – I'm a 23-year-old Divorcee Now!". TMZ.com. July 15, 2012. http://www.tmz.com/2012/07/15/alexa-vega-divorce/.
21. ↑ Shira, Dahvi (July 16, 2012). "Spy Kids Star Alexa Vega Files for Divorce". *People*. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20612419,00.html.
22. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
23. ↑ Malkin, Marc; Malec, Brett (October 5, 2011). "Nikki Reed Wedding Scoop: The Dress, the Maid of Honor and More!". https://www.eonline.com/news/267698/nikki-reed-wedding-scoop-the-dress-the-maid-of-honor-and-more.
24. ↑ Eggenberger, Nicole (June 19, 2013). "Alexa Vega Engaged to Carlos Pena, Jr., Congratulated by Ex-Husband Sean Covel". *Us Weekly*. http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/alexa-vega-engaged-to-carlos-pena-jr-congratulated-by-ex-husband-sean-covel-2013129.
25. ↑ Spero, Jesse. "Alexa Vega Dishes Engagement Details: How Did Carlos Pena Pop The Question?". *Access Hollywood*. Los Angeles, California: NBC Universal. http://www.accesshollywood.com/alexa-vega-dishes-engagement-details-how-did-carlos-pena-pop-the-question\_article\_85057.
26. ↑ "Alexa Vega Weds Big Time Rush's Carlos Pena Jr.", *The Hollywood Reporter* (January 5, 2014).
27. ↑ "LexLovesLos". https://www.youtube.com/user/CarlosPenaTV.
28. ↑ Juneau, Jen (December 9, 2016). "Carlos and Alexa PenaVega Welcome Son Ocean King — See His First Photo!", *People*.
29. ↑ Cardoza, Riley (July 2, 2019). "Alexa PenaVega Gives Birth to Baby Boy, Her Second Child With Husband Carlos PenaVega". *Us Weekly*. https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/alexa-penavega-gives-birth-welcomes-baby-boy-with-husband-carlos/.
30. ↑ https://people.com/parents/alexa-carlos-penavega-expecting-third-child/?amp=true
31. ↑ "[archives WILD AND CRAZY KIDS 2002 REVIVAL (spy kids)"]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0ZAZGL4WYs.
32. ↑ "Tommy2.net". Tommy2.net. September 25, 2009. http://tommy2.net/content/?p=9665.
33. ↑ "The Devil's Carnival OST Out Today". Bloody Disgusting. http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/205951/the-devils-carnival-ost-out-today/.

## External links

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* Alexa PenaVega on Twitter**Lua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 36: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).**Template:WikidataCheck

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