Carlos and Alexa PenaVega’s Christmas movie wraps filming in Arlington at AT&T Stadium
Nearly triple-digit heat didn’t melt the Christmas feeling inside AT&T Stadium on Monday as a film production wrapped filming.
The Arlington venue hosted the final production day for Great American Media’s latest Christmas film, “Love at the Kettle.” Actors and real-life married couple Carlos and Alexa PenaVega are both starring and producing the movie, which will premiere this holiday season.
“Up-and-coming singer songwriter Bella Harlan (Alexa PenaVega) comes home for Christmas and enlists her high-school songwriting partner Jack Grayton (Carlos PenaVega) to craft a song to win back her rockstar boyfriend by Christmas. As the two reunite for the first time in a decade, they embark on a Christmas journey down memory lane, and soon realize true love may be closer than they thought,” the film synopsis reads.
After filming most of the movie in Nashville, both PenaVegas’ were at AT&T Stadium for the final day of production, which is an experience they’ll never forget.
“This is really cool,” Carlos PenaVega told the Star-Telegram. “It all came together last minute, but we’re so blessed to be able to shoot one of the most important scenes in the movie here.”
Christmas in August at AT&T Stadium
Filming at AT&T Stadium took place on the field in the corner of the end zone.
The scene featured Alexa PenaVega walking a blindfolded Carlos PenaVega on the field and then unmasking the surprise, much to his excitement. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (dressed in their red and white Christmas attire) then walked past the couple off the field.
According to the film’s production, the scene is important to Carlos PenaVega’s character’s backstory, as he used to attend football games with his late father.
After a few takes, the production moved on to the next scene, which saw Carlos PenaVega take center stage on AT&T Stadium’s 50-yard line on the star of the Dallas Cowboys.
Surrounded by Christmas trees and poinsettias, Carlos PenaVega belted an original song called “Get Him Back (For Christmas).“ The film will feature four original songs from the couple, with them each singing two a piece.
Singing on the field wasn’t new for Carlos PenaVega, who performed the national anthem with his band Big Time Rush at the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day game in 2011.
“This is my first time back since then,” Carlos PenaVega said. “I’m pushing to hopefully get Big Time Rush to do the national anthem again [in] 2024.”
‘Love at the Kettle’ to premiere this winter
“Love at the Kettle” is made in partnership with Salvation Army, which plays a pivotal role in the film.
The heart of the film centers on Jack (Carlos PenaVega) role with the organization and soon Bella (Alexa PenaVega) finds herself inspired to do good, according to the film’s production.
Dallas Cowboys fans may remember running back Ezekiel Elliott jumping into an oversized Salvation Army red kettle to celebrate a touchdown in 2016.
The PenaVega’s know that plenty of Christmas movies release every winter, but said they all mostly have a similar formula. With “Love at the Kettle,” they’re hoping to bring back a comfortable 1990s movie feel.
“That’s what this is, with the music, it’s just feel good,” Alexa PenaVega said. “All the old Christmas movies that you used to watch growing up, we’ve brought that back with this.”
“Love at the Kettle” will premiere this winter on Great American Family.
