'Camp Rock 3' Star Malachi Barton Testifies: 'What Drives Me Is Jesus Christ'
A Disney star who has grown up in the spotlight and now leads the new musical "Camp Rock 3" says his faith in Jesus gives him peace amid the stress and pressure that often accompany fame.
Malachi Barton was only 6 when he landed his first role and slowly worked his way up in Hollywood, landing his first major break in "Stuck in the Middle" as Beast Diaz and later appearing in 2019’s "Dora and the Lost City of Gold." But "Camp Rock 3" – with its devoted fan base and Disney legacy – is his most high-profile project yet.
Now 19, Barton says his Christian faith keeps him grounded as his career – and public profile – continue to grow.
“Honestly, what drives me is Jesus Christ, and being a light of God in a business where there isn’t a lot of that,” he told Variety. “That’s what gets me stoked when I wake up.
“... You don’t often see faith being talked about in this business. There’s so many crazy things that go on,” he added. “I use God to say, ‘I’m not here for all that crazy stuff. I’m here to do my job and have fun doing what I love through a filter of God.’ It’s just cuckoo craze out there.”
The first "Camp Rock" movie, released in 2008, helped launch the careers of the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato. "Camp Rock 3" is the franchise’s first film in 16 years, following 2010’s "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam."
Barton grew up with parents who were themselves accustomed to the spotlight. His mother, Felicia Barton, is a singer-songwriter and former "American Idol" contestant, while his father, Loren Barton, is a musician and tour manager.
Still, it can be stressful, he said.
“So many people are gonna have so many different opinions,” he told People. “And all those opinions, because of social media, are just gonna be thrown at you 24/7. So I think it’s so important to be able to do your own thing and keep your mind peaceful,” he said.
“It can get crazy. But I’ve just been adjusting, and I’m still adjusting, and I don’t think I’m gonna stop adjusting. You never really get used to it. It’s been wild. It’s been crazy. But I’ve enjoyed it because that’s what I signed up for, and I get to interact with fans and people that are supporting me, and that’s such a cool thing.”
Barton has a wide social media reach, with 7 million followers on TikTok and 3 million on Instagram. His Instagram bio cites Joshua 1:9, reading: “Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
“My relationship with God is my number one,” he told People. “I’ve continued to remind myself that the only opinion that matters is His.”
Photo Credit: ©Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published August 20, 2026.
