Alexa and Carlos PenaVega are known for their teen movies, but the couple ditched Hollywood to commit to their Christian faith years ago.
Alexa PenaVega (née Vega) is notable for her portrayal of feisty teenage spy Carmen Cortez, while her husband Carlos (née Pena) rose to fame singing Big Time Rush idol Carlos García.
Despite their established careers in Hollywood, the center of the entertainment industry, the parents of three chose to change from busy lives to raise their family in Hawaii. It wasn’t just for their children — both actors felt the negative effects the film industry had on their mental health.
Alexa PenaVega: from child star to faith priority
By the time the fourth and final Spy Kids movie premiered in 2011, the actress was 23 and had grown up in front of the camera – she already had over 45 credits under her belt.
PenaVega got engaged to her husband after less than a year of dating in 2013 and by 2016 they had packed their lives for the island.
Telling Fox News, the 33-year-old admitted the move was initially due to the rejection of jobs becoming “too much” for her husband.
The couple never planned to raise their family in Los Angeles, but PenaVega says God meant for them to leave. At the time, she wasn’t thrilled about the drastic change, but realized she needed a “heart reset” since she was trapped in the industry. “I realized there was so much more to Christianity and I wanted more,” the actress added.
“But one day I was praying in my car and suddenly had this revelation. I felt like God was preparing us for this move. We are moving for my heart. It stopped me in my tracks because during this whole time I thought we were just moving for Carlos,” she explained.
“My work has become my identity. God pulled me out of there so I could learn to be an awesome mom and an awesome wife.
The PenaVegas met at Bible study
Alexa had just divorced in 2012 when she met Carlos at a Bible study. Romance was her last priority and an entertainment partner was not her cup of tea.
Coincidentally, the Big Time Rush singer was at the same stage in his faith, so they bonded as they grew closer to God.
“He was everything on my blacklist. And everything on my blacklist was everything I didn’t know I needed. He was the person who could help fill all the gaps I was missing in my life. It was Carlos.
Although they live in Hawaii, the lovebirds haven’t put their careers on hold completely. they both starred in numerous Hallmark movies and voice-over roles.
Follow their family life on Alexa’s Instagram to see her adorable children: Ocean King, Kingston James and Rio Rey.
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