Mario Lopez is not “ashamed” of his faith as he builds more “spiritual muscle” in Hollywood

For Mario Lopez, his faith comes first.

Since bursting into the spotlight as a ’90s child star, Lopez told Fox News Digital how he’s relied on his faith to work in Hollywood.

“My faith is very important to me and I’m vocal about it… I’m not ashamed,” said Lopez, 51.

Mario Lopez admits there are challenges working with an “extremely talented” wife

The Saved by the Bell actor and his wife Courtney have three children and he emphasized that faith is an integral part of his family’s foundation.

“My children are growing up in a faith-based upbringing. They all go to a Catholic school,” he explained. “It’s something that represents the infrastructure of our family and I’m proud of that.”

Read more on the Fox News app

Lopez rose to fame in the ’90s series Saved by the Bell, where he played the role of AC Slater. The first episode premiered on NBC on August 20, 1989.

Lopez said growing up in Hollywood he relied more on his faith.

“As I got older, I started to build more spiritual muscle,” he told Fox News Digital.

WATCH: MARIO LOPEZ TALKS ABOUT GROWING UP IN THE ’90s

“I think it’s no coincidence that this makes me feel really good. So I’m very happy and very grateful for that.”

The “Access Hollywood” host is vocal about his faith and religion, especially on social media.

Recently, Lopez shared a video of himself leaving a “beautiful” mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

App users click here to view the post

“What a blessed way to end the week here in NYC…” his Instagram caption read.

Lopez often posts quotes on his social media that relate to his faith, while also sending a meaningful message about his priorities in life.

Candace Cameron Bure and Danica Mckellar fast forward through kissing scenes so husbands don’t have to watch

“Once you reach a certain age, all you really want is God, family, stability and peace,” he shared on social media.

In 2018, the Mexican-American actor was baptized “in the same river as Jesus…” ten days before Easter.

While donning a long white T-shirt and pants, Lopez announced that he had been baptized in the Jordan River, which he described at the time as a “moving” experience.

In a video, Lopez can be seen being led into the river by two Catholic priests.

WATCH: FOX NATION INTRODUCES ITS THIRD ORIGINAL MOVIE WITH A HOLIDAY TWIST

One of the priests asks Lopez questions like, “Do you believe in Jesus Christ?” and “Do you plan to serve Him all your life?”

He confidently answered every question with “Yes, I do.”

Having been in the public eye most of his life, Lopez shared how he was able to escape the “curse of the child star.”

The actor praised his parents for his upbringing and admitted that he did not want to disobey his father. He also wanted to make his parents proud and said that they were a prime example for him.

“My mother and father, who are still very much together… (are) hard, hard-working, working people… I don’t want to step out of line for fear of my father.”

Danica Mckellar found her faith after overcoming her bias against Christianity: ‘I feel so blessed’

What changed most about being a celebrity in the ’90s compared to today, Lopez noted, was “social media.”

“I’m glad it wasn’t there when I was there. I would have pinched myself everywhere…caught out and worried that certain images might convey a different story of reality.”

Lopez celebrated this holiday season by starring in his first Great American Family film, “Once Upon a Christmas,” with his wife Courtney and 11-year-old son Dominic.

“I thought what better way to start this relationship than with a project with my actual family and my wife, who is incredibly talented,” he continued.

“We met on Broadway. We got to showcase all of her skills…we sang and danced…we had some romance. My son Dominic did a great job and really impressed me. And the film had a lot of heart. I’m really happy with the result.”

He met his wife when they worked together on the Broadway musical “A Chorus Line” in 2008.

Do you like what you’re reading? Click here for more entertainment news

However, working with a spouse isn’t always easy and Mario admitted there were some challenges.

“The biggest challenge, in my opinion, is still finding the balance between husband and work colleague,” Mario told Fox News Digital.

“Pay attention to the tone of voice and when you’re conveying certain things, sometimes because… you might be speaking to them as an actress, but she’s still listening as a wife… that was a challenge.”

Click here to sign up for the entertainment newsletter

In their heartwarming Christmas film, Mario played Mayor Brian Ortega, who discovers his childhood Christmas wish list. For Christmas, Brian’s childhood friend Nina Meyers, played by Courtney, returns to town and the two develop a romantic connection.

In real life, the acting duo have been together for 15 years and recently celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary.

Lopez also joins the roster of talent for the first-ever Great American Family Christmas Festival, including “Full House” star Candace Cameron Bure and “The Wonder Years” star Danica McKellar. Bure became chief creative officer of the Great American Family Channel in 2022.

Original source of the article: Mario Lopez is not “ashamed” of his faith as he builds more “spiritual muscle” in Hollywood