Alexa PenaVega
Alexa PenaVega | |
---|---|
Born | Alexa Ellesse Vega August 27, 1988 |
Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
Years active | 1993–present |
Spouse(s) |
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Alexa Ellesse PenaVega[1] (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 Shilo Wallace in the film Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008). In 2009, she starred as the title character Ruby Gallagher in the ABC Family series Ruby & The Rockits.
Early life
Alexa Vega was born in Miami, Florida but spent the first four years of her life on a ranch in Ocala, Florida. Her father is Colombian and her mother, Gina Rue, is an American former model.[2][3][4][5] Vega has six siblings: paternal half-sister Margaux Vega (b. 1981), sister Krizia Vega (b. 1990), sister Makenzie Vega (b. 1994), maternal half-sister Greylin James (b. 2000), maternal half-brother Jet James (b. 2005), and maternal half-brother Cruz Hudson Rue (b. 2009). She moved with her family to California when she was four years old.[6]
Career
Acting
In 1996, Vega starred as young Jo Harding in Twister. She guest-starred in numerous television shows and films, including ER (TV series) 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. Vega reprised the role in the 2011 sequel, Spy Kids: All the Time in the World.
In 2003, she was named one of that year's hottest teen celebrities in the July 2003 issue Vanity Fair. In 2004, Vega finished filming two films: Sleepover and State's Evidence. Then the following year she starred in the Lifetime television film entitled Odd Girl Out as a victim of cyber-bullying. She also filmed for another made-for-TV movie, Walkout. In June 2006, she finished filming Remember the Daze, which was released in limited theaters on April 2007. She also finished filming Repo! The Genetic Opera, which was released in 2008.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9] 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".[10]
Throughout 2013 and 2014, Vega appeared in the films 23 Blast, Machete Kills, Bounty Killer, Wicked Blood, The Remaining, and The Hunters. She also had a role on the Big Time Rush series finale "Big Time Dreams", playing herself.
On August 27, 2015, Vega was announced as one of the celebrities who will compete on the 21st season of Dancing with the Stars. Her husband, Carlos PenaVega was also announced as one of the contestants who will compete against her on the show.[11] She was paired with professional dancer Mark Ballas.[12] On November 9, PenaVega and Ballas were eliminated and finished the competition in 6th place.
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 coincide with the release of the second film. She also released "Game Over", for the third film. Another song, "Heart Drive" featuring Bobby Edner, was also recorded for Spy Kids 3. She also has 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 the ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas programming block in 2009.
Personal life
Vega married film producer, Sean Covel on October 10, 2010 in a ceremony held in his hometown of Lead, South Dakota. She wore an Ian Stuart gown[13] and was walked down the aisle by Robert Rodriguez. In July 2012, Vega announced on Twitter that she had divorced Covel.[14][15]
In August 2013, while on a cruise with friends, Vega became engaged to actor and singer, Carlos Pena Jr.[16][17] The couple married on January 4, 2014, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and changed their surname to the blended name, PenaVega.[18] On June 16, 2016, she announced via Instagram that she & Carlos were expecting their first child.[19]
Vega is a Christian. She has said that her faith is the most important thing in her life.[20] Vega enjoys freshwater fishing, can speak Spanish fluently, and is an experienced gymnast.[21] Vega is close friends with Nikki Reed and was the maid of honor at Reed's wedding to Paul McDonald.[22]
Vega revealed on Dancing with the Stars that she was bulimic but has since recovered.[23]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1994 | Little Giants | Priscilla | |
1995 | Nine Months | Molly Dwyer | |
1996 | Twister | Jo Harding (age 5) | |
1996 | Shattered Mind | Sarah | Also known as The Terror Inside |
1996 | The Glimmer Man | Cole's Daughter | |
1996 | Ghosts of Mississippi | Claire DeLaughter | |
1998 | Dennis the Menace Strikes Again | Gina | Direct-to-video film |
1999 | The Deep End of the Ocean | Kerry Cappadora | |
2000 | Run the Wild Fields | Opal 'Pug' Miller | |
2001 | Follow the Stars Home | Amy Williams | Also known as A Second Chance (Australia) |
2001 | Spy Kids | Carmen Cortez | |
2002 | Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams | Carmen Cortez | |
2003 | Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over | Carmen Cortez | |
2004 | Sleepover | Julie Corky | |
2005 | Odd Girl Out | Vanessa Snyder | |
2006 | State's Evidence | Sandy | Direct-to-video film |
2006 | Marrying God | Ivy | Short film |
2007 | Remember the Daze | Holly | Originally titled The Beautiful Ordinary |
2008 | Repo! The Genetic Opera | Shilo Wallace | |
2009 | Innocent | Ashley | Originally titled Helix |
2009 | Broken Hill | Kat Rogers | |
2010 | Mother's Day | Jenna Luther | |
2010 | Café | Sally | |
2011 | From Prada to Nada | Mary Dominguez | |
2011 | Summer Song | Ellie | |
2011 | Spy Kids: All the Time in the World | Carmen Cortez | |
2012 | The Devil's Carnival | Wick | |
2013 | Bounty Killer | Stewardess | |
2013 | Abandoned Mine | Sharon | |
2013 | Machete Kills | KillJoy | |
2013 | The Hunters | Dylan Savini | |
2014 | The Clockwork Girl | Tesla | |
2014 | Wicked Blood | Amber | |
2014 | Code Academy | Libby | |
2014 | Sin City: A Dame to Kill For | Gilda | |
2014 | 23 Blast | Ashley | |
2014 | The Remaining | Alexis | |
2015 | Spare Parts | Karla | |
2015 | Do You Believe? | Lacey | |
2015 | Roommate Wanted | Janie | |
2015 | Pixies | Michelle Meyers | Voice role |
2015 | The Murder Pact | Camille |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1993–94 | Evening Shade | Emily Newton | Recurring role; 6 episodes |
1995 | ER | Bonnie Howe | Episode: Sleepless in Chicago" |
1995 | Chicago Hope | Sara Wilmette | Episode: "Every Day a Little Death" |
1995 | It Was Him or Us | Young Carrie | Movie |
1996 | A Promise to Carolyn | Young Kay | Movie |
1996 | Life's Work | Tess Hunter | Pilot episode |
1998 | The Magnificent Seven | Olivia Greer | Episode: "Safecracker" |
1998 | To Have & to Hold | Kelly McGrail | 7 episodes |
1999 | NetForce | Susie Michaels | Miniseries |
1999 | Ladies Man | Wendy Stiles No. 2 | 9 episodes |
2002 | All That | Carmen Cortez | Episode: "Spy Kids/Play" |
2003 | The Bernie Mac Show | Jill | Episode: "Magic Jordan" |
2003 | Trading Spaces: Boys vs. Girls | Herself | Episode: Siblings "Eli vs. Kali" |
2005 | Odd Girl Out | Vanessa | Movie |
2006 | Walkout | Paula Crisostomo | Movie |
2009 | Ghost Whisperer | Serena | Episodes: "Endless Love" |
2009 | Ruby & The Rockits | Ruby Gallagher | Lead role |
2010 | The Middle | Morgan | Episodes: "The Break-Up" and "Worry Duty" |
2012 | The Pregnancy Project | Gaby Rodriguez | Movie |
2012 | Unsupervised | Christina | Recurring role |
2012 | Royal Pains | Hollister | Episode: "Imperfect Storm" |
2013 | Big Time Rush | Herself | Episode: "Big Time Dreams" |
2014 | The Tomorrow People | Hillary Cole | 8 episodes |
2014 | The Hunters | Dylan Savini | Movie |
2014 | Courtside | Herself | Episode: "Alexa Vega" |
2014 | Muertoons | Rosita (voice) | 2 episodes |
2014–15 | Nashville | Kiley Brenner | Recurring role |
2015 | The Mentalist | Lily Stoppard | Episode: "The Whites of His Eyes" |
2015 | Dancing with the Stars | Herself | Season 21 contestant |
Discography
This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (April 2015) |
Singles
Year | Song | Album | Writer(s) | Label |
---|---|---|---|---|
2002 | "Isle of Dreams" | Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams | Robert Rodriguez | Milan Records |
2003 | "Game Over" | Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over | Robert Rodriguez & Rebecca Rodriguez | |
"Heart Drive" | ||||
2008 | "Seventeen" | Repo! The Genetic Opera | Terrance Zdunich & Darren Smith | Lionsgate Records |
2009 | "Lost in Your Own Life" | Ruby & The Rockits | Shaun Cassidy | Hollywood Records |
"You Are Where I Live" | David Cassidy | |||
"The Way It's Gonna Be" | ||||
"Forever Your Song" | ||||
"Too High a Price" | ||||
"Possibilities" (with Austin Butler) | ||||
"Now When I Close My Eyes" | ||||
"Christmas is the Time to Say 'I Love You'"[24] | Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe | Billy Squier | Walt Disney Records |
Soundtracks
- 2002: Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams
- 2003: Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over
- 2008: Repo! The Genetic Opera
- 2009: Songs to Celebrate 25 Days of Christmas
- 2012: The Devil's Carnival
Music videos
Year | Title | Album | Director | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
2002 | "Isle of Dreams" | Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams | Robert Rodriguez | Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams |
2009 | "You Are Where I Live" | Ruby & The Rockits | Ted Wass | ABC Family/ABCFamily.com |
"Christmas is the Time to Say 'I Love You'" | Songs to Celebrate 25 Days of Christmas | Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe/ABC Family Channel |
References
- ^ "Alexa Vega & Carlos Pena Change Last Name to PenaVega". One News Page. January 9, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
- ^ Tracy, Liz (September 15, 2015). "Latina Takeover: Actresses From Miami Are Playing Big Roles for Disney, Broadway, and Hollywood". Miami New Times. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
- ^ "Alexa Forever". RE: Questions for Miss Alexa Vega. Retrieved August 20, 2006.
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.
- ^ "Ex-spy has price on head, ache in heart". Miami Herald. September 7, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
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 ...
- ^ "Alexa Vega Biography". Film Reference.
- ^ "Alexa Vega Biography". BuddyTV. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
- ^ Paris Hilton gets movie musical role. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
- ^ ""Spy Kids" Star Vega to Join Broadway's Hairspray - Playbill.com". Archived from the original on July 15, 2014.
- ^ "Two Tickets To 'The Devil's Carnival' Please". FEARnet. March 6, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
- ^ "Aerosmith Rocks a Warehouse in 'Legendary Child' Video". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ Aguilera, Leanne (August 27, 2015). "EXCLUSIVE! 'Dancing With the Stars': Married Couple Alexa and Carlos PenaVega to Compete on Season 21". ET Online. Retrieved August 27, 2015.|
- ^ "Dancing with the Stars Season 21 Cast Announcement". ABC. September 2, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
- ^ Rosario, Mariela. "Alexa Vega's Wedding Album". Latina.com. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ "'Spy Kids' Star Alexa Vega – I'm a 23-year-old Divorcee Now!". TMZ.com. July 15, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ Shira, Dahvi (July 16, 2012). "Spy Kids Star Alexa Vega Files for Divorce". People.com. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ Eggenberger, Nicole (June 19, 2013). "Alexa Vega Engaged to Carlos Pena, Jr., Congratulated by Ex-Husband Sean Covel". Usmagazine.com. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
- ^ Spero, Jesse. "Alexa Vega Dishes Engagement Details: How Did Carlos Pena Pop The Question?". Access Hollywood. NBC Universal Inc. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
- ^ Fahy, Collette (January 5, 2014). "Spy Kids actress Alexa Vega ties the knot with Nickelodeon star Carlos Pena 18 months after her divorce from Sean Covel". Daily Mail.
- ^ "Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ "'Sin City' Actress Talks Directors in Hollywood 'Blasting Her' for Her Faith and New Revelation-Based Film".
- ^ "Biography".
- ^ "Nikki Reed Wedding Scoop: The Dress, the Maid of Honor and More!".
- ^ YouTube.
- ^ "Tommy2.net". Tommy2.net. September 25, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
External links
- 1988 births
- 20th-century American actresses
- 21st-century American actresses
- Actresses from Miami, Florida
- American child actresses
- American Christians
- American female singers
- American film actresses
- American people of Colombian descent
- American television actresses
- American voice actresses
- Hispanic and Latino American actresses
- Hollywood Records artists
- Living people