{"id":567662,"date":"2026-08-13T09:38:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T09:38:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/567662\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T09:38:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T09:38:16","slug":"maria-canals-barrera-reflects-on-selena-gomezs-beautiful-wedding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/567662\/","title":{"rendered":"Maria Canals-Barrera Reflects on Selena Gomez\u2019s \u2018Beautiful\u2019 Wedding"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over 20 years ago, Maria Canals-Barrera comforted and shared her motherly advice with generations of Disney Channel viewers and stars, including Selena Gomez. <\/p>\n

As Theresa Russo, Canals-Barrera gave words of wisdom to her \u201cWizards of Waverly Place\u201d daughter Alex Russo, portrayed by Gomez. Her nurturing nature also extended beyond the screen to real life, Canals-Barrera tells TODAY.com. <\/p>\n

\u201cShe asked me for relationship advice a couple of times during the show,\u201d Canals-Barrera recalls. \u201cAnd that was really honoring to me because I play her mom. I\u2019m not her mom … So when (Gomez) asked me a couple of times about marriage and stuff, that was really touching to me.\u201d <\/p>\n

The two entertained audiences as mother and daughter for four seasons between 2007 and 2012, a time Canals-Barrera tells TODAY.com she remembers fondly. <\/p>\n

So when Canals-Barrera attended Gomez\u2019s wedding to Benny Blanco, she couldn\u2019t help but get emotional. The couple got married<\/a> in September 2025.<\/p>\n

\""Wizards“Wizards of Waverly Place” ran for four seasons from 2007 to 2012.Eric McCandless \/ Disney Channel via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Years later, Canals-Barrera says she didn\u2019t need to give her former on-screen daughter any advice. \u201cNow, at her wedding, I think she figured it out,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n

Canals-Barrera posted a video <\/a>on her Instagram that showed a side-by-side of her with Gomez on \u201cWizards of Waverly Place\u201d and then at her wedding. Canals-Barrera shares that it was a moving celebration. <\/p>\n

\u201c(The wedding) was so beautiful. The vows that they wrote for each other were just so incredible. I mean, we all cried,\u201d she says. \u201cIt was really beautiful. So I\u2019m very happy that she found love.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cShe deserves the best and so does he,\u201d she adds. \u201cI wish them the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two would reunite again in the \u201cWizards\u201d spinoff, \u201cWizards Beyond Waverly Place.\u201d Canals-Barrera reprised her role as the Russo matriarch for two episodes, including the Aug. 4 finale.<\/p>\n

\"MariaMaria Canals-Barrera shares fond memories of working with Selena GomezVALERIE MACON \/ AFP via Getty Images\/ Axelle\/Bauer-Griffin\/FilmMagic<\/p>\n

Reflecting on working with Gomez over the years, she called her \u201ca born talent.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cShe was on set knowing her lines, completely emotionally prepared and a singer to boot,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n

Also returning to her role of Connie Torres in \u201cCamp Rock 3,\u201d Canals-Barrera is forever grateful and honored to be the TV mom for many. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very encouraging as an actor, as a mother in real life, that the mothering moments mean something to (fans),\u201d she says. \u201cEven when it\u2019s not our own mother. It\u2019s very touching to us. The nostalgia vibe that\u2019s happening right now. I\u2019m so grateful to be part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n