Alexa PenaVega and Carlos PenaVega are set to star in “Love in the Limelight,” a new, original movie premiering Saturday, August 6 (8 p.m. ET/PT), on Hallmark Channel, kicking off the network’s annual “Fall into Love” programming event.
Inspired by the real-life love story of Willie Aames (“Picture Perfect Mysteries: Exit Stage Death,” “Eight is Enough”) and his wife Winnie Hung, the script was written by Aames, Hung, and Rich Tabach.
As a teenager, Summer (Alexa PenaVega) was a devoted fan of the popular boy band the Mendez Boyz, especially Nick (Carlos PenaVega), their lead singer. After receiving a sweet fan letter from Summer, Nick decides to respond with a phone call, sparking the start of a friendship that’s lasted to this day. When Nick’s manager books a gig for him at a small venue in Summer’s hometown of Salt Lake City where she now works in human resources at a local university, the two finally meet face-to-face. It’s clear their friendship has set the stage for romance and Summer’s abuelita (Ivonne Coll, “Jane the Virgin”) – a hip grandma with a TikTok following – encourages her to follow her heart.
Adding a rich, Latin sound to the movie’s soundtrack are six original Spanglish songs written by Carlos PenaVega: “If You Let Me,” “Someday Somewhere,” “BASIC,” “Vamos Pasar La Bien,” “Fall Again,” and “Por Ti.” PenaVega is currently on a national tour as a member of the popular group Big Time Rush.