Carlos PenaVega is drawing a startling parallel between the loss of his daughter and the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The actor and singer appeared on the “Upload with Brooke Taylor” podcast this week alongside his wife, Alexa PenaVega. In the interview, the pair spoke at length about their fourth child, Indy, who was delivered as a stillborn in 2024.

At one point, Alexa PenaVega alluded to another couple who had recently lost their 10-year-old child, Taven. Carlos PenaVega went on to note that both Taven and Indy’s deaths had “a waterfall effect,” meaning they’ve gone on to touch the lives of their family members more deeply after their passing.

“I think what’s been amazing is that Taven, and then even our Indy, and then even recently, Charlie Kirk,” he said. “Like these guys, their lives have been so much more impactful after.”

“I look at my life, and I go if this ceiling were to... if that were to fall on me right now and I’m gone... I want to make sure whatever happens to me, that when I do go, man, it would be awesome that my life is as impactful, if not more, afterwards,” he added.

Alexa and Carlos PenaVega confirmed on social media that Indy had been stillborn in April 2024.

“It has been a painful journey. But in the pain we have found peace,” they wrote in a joint Instagram post at the time. “This little girl has already changed our lives in so many ways. She was absolutely beautiful. And looked just like daddy.”

They went on to note: “We can’t understand why these things happen and we may never get those answers.”

Kirk, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump and founder of the right-wing political group Turning Point USA, was killed on Sept. 10, 2025, during an appearance at Utah Valley University.

Carlos PenaVega, 36, rose to fame as one of the stars of Nickelodeon’s “Big Time Rush” in 2009 and continues to perform as a member of the pop band of the same name. He and Alexa PenaVega share three children and have acted together in a number of television films, including “Get Him Back for Christmas” and “Love in the Limelight.”

While Carlos PenaVega does not appear to have ever formally endorsed Trump, he has been outspoken about his conservative views for some time. In 2022, he appeared on “The Right View” podcast, hosted by the president’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump.

During the 2024 presidential election, he wrote on Instagram that his son, Kingston, had “asked if he could add a prayer for Donald Trump.”

When the post began drawing criticism from fans, Alexa PenaVega clarified in the comments that Kingston had “asked us if he could pray for both trump and Kamala [Harris],” adding: “It was beautiful.”

Listen to Carlos PenaVega’s “Upload with Brooke Taylor” interview here. His comments about his daughter and Charlie Kirk can be found around the 56:35 mark.

By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.