In a small neighborhood just outside Chicago, there’s a Latino family that values the true meaning of Christmas and has memorable traditions. However, the yearly festivities were brought to a sudden halt when the father (Daniel Sunjata) decided to break the news that they would need to welcome his new fiancé with open arms on Christmas morning. The reality of being a child of a divorced family quickly threw his 11-year-old daughter Rowena “Ro” (Scarlett Estevez) into a tizzy – leaving her to make a life-altering wish to a mall Santa.
Following the extraordinary request to turn back time to when her new stepmom and little brother were not in the picture, her wish was quickly was granted. The family found themselves in an endless loop living the same day over and over again. This captivating and drama-packed storyline was brought to life in Disney Channel’s newest movie, Christmas… Again!?.
The film, directed by Andy Fickman and produced by Betsy Sullenger, marks the first Christmas-themed Disney original in 10 years since Good Luck Charlie, It’s Christmas. After a decade, the two creatives have adapted to the times in order to bring a fresh and innovative motion picture to the big screen. Fickman’s primary mission was to show representation and to deliver a relatable narrative. “It feels really awesome and wonderful to be a part of a process of people being able to relate to who they are on the screen,” shared Alexis Carra, who plays “Carolina Clybourne” in an exclusive Celeb Secrets interview. “I love how this movie has a blended family of different Latin cultures, LGBTQ+ representation, and Daniel is biracial. So, I loved being a part of that, and I am very grateful to be representing Latina culture on screen.”
Throughout the heartwarming film – viewers experience the rich culture, family dynamic, and exciting holiday traditions. However, they don’t get a glimpse into the craziness until Ro realizes that she can create the Christmas of her dreams every day by taking advantage of the spell. When the clock strikes 8 AM, Ro embarks on a new adventure around Chicagoland by making stops at legendary landmarks – Navy Pier, the Shedd Aquarium, Hancock Building, and the Museum of Science & Industry.
“I mean, the sledding was so fun, and the ice skating rink was crazy with the hockey players,” Estevez told Celeb Secrets reporter Tiffany Goldstein while reflecting on her favorite scenes. As she relished in the memory of her role, she did not fail to mention that playing “Ro” was a career-changing opportunity. “This is one of my biggest projects so far. I think that’s what separates this from others. All of my castmates in this movie just made this such a special experience, just cause they were so supportive,” she concluded.
After the outrageous quests around the Windy City, Ro grasped the true meaning of Christmas. “I realized how special and magical family is and how being with your family can change Christmas that much,” revealed the young breakthrough actress. On the other hand, Carra hopes movie-goers learn that there is change in every family and to not take your loved ones for granted.
“I hope that they feel that even despite the craziness and change in every family – at the end of the day…especially during the holidays, they can share the love with their own families. We have gone through several years of Christmas and holidays looking differently with the pandemic and everything. So, I think now more than ever, just being near them or connected to them is the most important thing and the magic of that.”
To learn more about the drama-filled film and behind-the-scene moments, make sure to watch out the full interview with Scarlett Estevez and Alexis Carra below, and don’t forget to catch the premiere on Friday, December 3 at 8 PM on Disney Channel.
