Tia Carrere | |
|---|---|
 Carrere in 2025 | |
| Born | Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo (1967-01-02)January 2, 1967 (age 58) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 1 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Hawaiian |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Labels | Daniel Ho Creations |
Musical artist | |
| Website | tiacarrere |
Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo[1] (born January 2, 1967),[2] known professionally asTia Carrere (/kəˈrɛər/), is an American actress and singer who got her first big break as a regular on the daytime soap operaGeneral Hospital.
Carrere played Cassandra Wong in the feature filmsWayne's World andWayne's World 2; Juno Skinner inTrue Lies;Nani Pelekai in theLilo & Stitch animated films andTV series, and Nani's social worker Mrs. Kekoa inthe 2025 live-action adaptation; Queen Tyr'ahnee inDuck Dodgers;Richard Lewis' girlfriend, Cha Cha, inCurb Your Enthusiasm; and starred asSydney Fox in the television seriesRelic Hunter, as well as Lady Danger oppositeRuPaul inNetflix'sAJ and the Queen. Carrere also appeared as a contestant in thesecond season ofDancing with the Stars and thefifth season ofThe Celebrity Apprentice. In addition to acting, Carrere has won twoGrammy Awards for her music.
Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo was born inHonolulu, Hawaii.[1] She is the daughter of Audrey Lee Janairo, a computer supervisor, and Alexander Janairo, a banker.[1][3] She is ofFilipino andChinese descent.[4] Her father was born and raised inCebu.[5]
Carrere attendedSacred Hearts Academy, an all-girls school. She longed to be a singer as a child.[6] Though she was eliminated during the first round of her 1985Star Search appearance at the age of 18, she was spotted by the parents of a film producer while shopping at aWaikiki grocery store and was cast in the filmAloha Summer.[7][8] Around this time, she adopted her stage name by using her sister's nickname for her, "Tia", and a variation of the last name "Carrera" in tribute to actressBarbara Carrera.[9]
Following this success, Carrere returned toLos Angeles, and after working several months as a model, was hired in early 1985 for her first television role, a guest appearance on an episode of the American seriesAirwolf; the episode aired in November 1985, after her first on-screen television appearance, in a March 1985 episode ofCover Up. Her first major breakthrough was in the daytime soap operaGeneral Hospital, where she played the role of Jade Soong Chung from 1985 to 1987. She had a guest appearance onThe A-Team, which was supposed to lead to her joining the cast; herGeneral Hospital obligations, however, prevented her from joining the team, so her character was dropped after one episode, and was never mentioned again. She also made guest appearances onMacGyver as a karate instructor in the episode "The Wish Child" and later as an assassin in the episode "Murderer's Sky". She also appeared onAnything but Love as the adopted daughter of Marty Gold (Richard Lewis), and on an episode ofMarried... with Children as Piper Bauman, a modelling rival ofKelly Bundy.
After appearing in the 1991 action filmsHarley Davidson and the Marlboro Man andShowdown in Little Tokyo, she emerged into the public spotlight when cast as Cassandra, a rock singer and love interest ofMike Myers's character, Wayne Campbell, inWayne's World (1992), a role she reprised the next year inWayne's World 2. A trained singer, Carrere performed all of her own songs in the first film, and theWayne's World soundtrack features her vocals. She turned down a role inBaywatch to audition forWayne's World. In 1992,People named her to its annual "50 most beautiful people" list.
Other roles in prominent films include the parts of wealthy smuggler Juno Skinner inTrue Lies, a 1994Arnold Schwarzenegger action film; a mixed African-Japanese computer expert inRising Sun, a thriller co-written for the screen byMichael Crichton and based on his novel, starringSean Connery andWesley Snipes; robber Gina Walker inThe Immortals in 1995; and secretary Victoria Chappell inHigh School High, a 1996 parody. She also starred as Ari, a space marine turned pirate, in the 1995 adventure/puzzle gameThe Daedalus Encounter. She appeared as the evil witch/queen in the 1997 Universal Films pictureKull the Conqueror, co-starring versusKevin Sorbo, and starred in late-'90sM&M's commercials as herself. At the end of the decade, she was cast as Ana Ishikawa in the motion picture of the comic book characterShi, which went unproduced.[10]
From 1999 to 2002, Carrere starred as archeology professor Sydney Fox inRelic Hunter, a syndicated action-adventure series reminiscent ofIndiana Jones andTomb Raider. At this time, Carrere was featured in the men's magazineMaxim.Relic Hunter lasted for three contracted television seasons. Carrere then provided the voice of Lilo's sisterNani in the animated filmLilo & Stitch (2002) and its sequels and spinoffs through 2006, later returning in the live-actionLilo & Stitch (2025) as a new character named Mrs. Kekoa, who is Nani's social worker in that film. She also provided the voice of Queen Tyr'ahnee in theDuck Dodgers animated series (2003–2005) and Snookie in the 2005 animated filmAloha, Scooby-Doo![11]
She participated as a contestant on the popular reality showDancing with the Stars, and eventually placed sixth overall. Carrere later participated in thefifth season ofThe Celebrity Apprentice, but her "apprenticeship" toDonald Trump, the "boss" of the show, was terminated in that season's fifth week.
Carrere posed nude for the January 2003 issue ofPlayboy. The photos were republished in the German December 2006 issue of the magazine. She has appeared as a guest star on a number of television shows, includingBack to You,Nip/Tuck, andWarehouse 13. She has also appeared in several episodes of season six ofCurb Your Enthusiasm as Richard Lewis's girlfriend. In 2020, Carrere played Lady Danger in all ten episodes of theNetflix seriesAJ and the Queen.[12]
Carrere also maintains a singing career. In 1993, her first solo album,Dream, produced by Matt Prinz, was released and went platinum in thePhilippines. That same year, she was featured on the soundtrack ofBatman: Mask of the Phantasm, performing the ending theme, "I Never Even Told You". Carrere then focused onHawaiian music starting with her second album,Hawaiiana, which was released in June 2007 and featuredGrammy Award-winning record producerDaniel Ho accompanying her onslack-key guitar andukulele. The album was nominated for a2008 Grammy Award under the category Best Hawaiian Music Album.[13]
In 2009, Carrere served as co-host for the pre-Grammy Awards telecast online event alongsideWayne Brady.[14] She won aGrammy Award in 2009 for her third album,'Ikena, and her 2010 albumHe Nani was also nominated for a Grammy. In 2011, she won her second Grammy Award for her albumHuana Ke Aloha.[15][16]
Carrere married film producerElie Samaha in 1992.[7] Samaha and Carrere divorced in February 2000.[17] On November 30, 2002, she married photojournalist Simon Wakelin. They have a son, Jude. On April 2, 2010, Carrere filed for divorce in person atLos Angeles County Superior Court. According to court documents, she citedirreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce and asked for sole physical custody of their child.[18] Their divorce was finalized in August 2010, with the two reportedly sharing custody of their child.[19] As of 2010[update], Carrere lives inLos Angeles.[18]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Zombie Nightmare | Amy | |
| 1988 | Aloha Summer | Lani | Acting debut, filmed in 1984 |
| 1989 | Fine Gold | Stella | |
| 1990 | Enemy | Mai Chang | Direct-to-video |
| 1991 | Showdown in Little Tokyo | Minako Okeya | |
| 1991 | Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man | Kimiko | |
| 1992 | Wayne's World | Cassandra Wong | |
| 1992 | Little Sister | Adrienne | |
| 1993 | Rising Sun | Jingo Asakuma | |
| 1993 | Quick | Janet Sakamoto | Direct-to-video |
| 1993 | Treacherous | Dr. Jessica Jamison | Direct-to-video |
| 1993 | Wayne's World 2 | Cassandra Wong | |
| 1994 | True Lies | Juno Skinner | |
| 1995 | Jury Duty | Monica Lewis | |
| 1995 | The Immortals | Gina Walker | Direct-to-video, also Associate Producer |
| 1995 | Hostile Intentions | Nora | Direct-to-video |
| 1996 | Hollow Point | Diane Norwood | |
| 1996 | High School High | Victoria Chapell | |
| 1996 | Natural Enemy | Christina | Direct-to-video |
| 1997 | Kull the Conqueror | Akivasha | |
| 1997 | Top of the World | Rebecca Mercer | |
| 1998 | Scar City | Candy | |
| 1998 | 20 Dates | Herself | Uncredited cameo, also Executive Producer |
| 1999 | My Teacher's Wife | Vicky Mueller | |
| 1999 | Five Aces | Karen Haggerty | Direct-to-video |
| 1999 | If...Dog...Rabbit | Direct-to-video, co-executive producer | |
| 2000 | Merlin: The Return | Dr. Joan Maxwell | |
| 2002 | Lilo & Stitch | Nani Pelekai (voice)[20] | |
| 2002 | Meet Prince Charming | Samantha Feld | |
| 2003 | Stitch! The Movie | Nani Pelekai (voice)[20] | Direct-to-video |
| 2005 | Aloha, Scooby-Doo! | Snookie, Local Woman (voice)[20] | |
| 2005 | Back in the Day | Loot | |
| 2005 | Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch | Nani Pelekai (voice)[20] | |
| 2006 | Leroy & Stitch | ||
| 2008 | Dark Honeymoon | Miranda | |
| 2009 | Wild Cherry | Ms. Jane Haumea | |
| 2010 | Hard Breakers | Jodie | |
| 2011 | You May Not Kiss the Bride | Lani | |
| 2012 | Collision Course | Kate Parks | |
| 2013 | Final Recourse | Michelle Gaines | Also associate producer |
| 2014 | Gunshot Straight | Leanne | Direct-to-video |
| 2015 | Pirates Code: The Adventures of Mickey Matson | Kelly | |
| 2015 | Behind Palm Swings | Cherry Bomb | Short film |
| 2015 | Tom and Jerry: Spy Quest | Jezebel Jade (voice)[20] | Direct-to-video |
| 2016 | Business Unusual | Ella | Short film |
| 2016 | Showdown in Manila | Mrs. Catherine Wells | |
| 2016 | The Girl | Mother | |
| 2017 | Palm Swings | Ms. Cherry Bomb | |
| 2018 | The Legend of Hallowaiian | Nana (voice) | Direct-to-video[21][20] |
| 2022 | Easter Sunday | Tita Theresa | [22] |
| 2024 | Waltzing with Brando | Madame Leroy | [23] |
| 2025 | Lilo & Stitch | Mrs. Kekoa | [24] |
| 2026 | The Last Resort | Reyna | Post-production[25] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Cover Up | Philippines Contestant | Episode: "Who's Trying to Kill Miss Globe?" |
| 1985 | Covenant | Girl at Golden Calf | Television film |
| 1985 | Airwolf | Kiki Tinabi | Episode: "Annie Oakley" |
| 1985–1987 | General Hospital | Jade Soong | Recurring role |
| 1986 | The A-Team | Tia | Episode: "The Sound of Thunder" |
| 1986 | MacGyver | Lisa Chan | Episode: "The Wish Child" |
| 1987 | Tour of Duty | Lang | Episode: "Dislocations" |
| 1988 | Noble House | Venus Poon | Miniseries, 4 episodes |
| 1988 | MacGyver | Tiu | Episode: "Murderer's Sky" |
| 1989 | The Road Raiders | Cyanne | Television film |
| 1989 | Anything But Love | Cey | Episode: "Those Lips, Those Thais" |
| 1990 | Friday the 13th: The Series | Michiko Tanaka | Episode: "Year of the Monkey" |
| 1990 | Quantum Leap | Chu-Hoi | Episode: "The Leap Home: Part 2 (Vietnam)" |
| 1990 | Married...with Children | Piper Bauman | Episode: "Kelly Bounces Back" |
| 1991 | Intimate Stranger | Mina | Television film |
| 1992 | Tales from the Crypt | Scarlett | Episode: "On a Deadman's Chest" |
| 1995 | Nothing But the Truth | Simone Gideon | Television film |
| 1995–96 | Murder One | Beverly Nichols | 3 episodes |
| 1996 | Desert Breeze | Television film | |
| 1997 | Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child | Mija (voice) | Episode: "The Little Mermaid" |
| 1998 | Dogboys | District Attorney Jennifer Dern | Television film |
| 1998 | Veronica's Closet | Kim | Episode: "Veronica's on the Herb" |
| 1998 | Hercules | Marigold (voice) | Episode: "Hercules and the Golden Touch" |
| 1999 | The Night of the Headless Horseman | Katrina Van Tassel (voice) | Television film[20] |
| 1999–2002 | Relic Hunter | Sydney Fox | Lead role |
| 2003–2005 | Duck Dodgers | Queen Tyr'ahnee, additional voices | Main cast[20] |
| 2003–2006 | Lilo & Stitch: The Series | Nani Pelekai (voice) | Main cast |
| 2004 | Johnny Bravo | Herself/additional voices (voice) | 4 episodes[20] |
| 2004 | Megas XLR | Darklos (voice) | Episode: "DMV: Department of Megas Violations"[20] |
| 2004 | Torn Apart | Vicki Westin | Television film |
| 2005 | Supernova | Lisa Delgado | Television film |
| 2005 | American Dragon: Jake Long | Yan Yan (voice) | Episode: "Fu and Tell" |
| 2006 | The O.C. | Dean Torres | Episode: "The Gringos" |
| 2006 | Dancing with the Stars | Herself (contestant) | Season 2, eliminated week 5 |
| 2007 | Back to You | Maggie | Episode: "A Night of Possibilities" |
| 2007 | Nip/Tuck | Mistress Dark Pain | Episode: "Carly Summers" |
| 2007 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Cha Cha | 3 episodes |
| 2008 | Untitled Liz Meriwether Project | Paula Poland | Television film |
| 2009 | CSI: Miami | Jacqueline Parsons | Episode: "Bolt Action" |
| 2010 | Warehouse 13 | Agent Katie Logan | 2 episodes |
| 2011 | True Justice | Lisa Clayton | 2 episodes |
| 2011 | Combat Hospital | Jessica Draycott | Episode: "It's My Party" |
| 2011–2013 | Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated | Amy Cavenaugh/Judy Reeves (voice) | Guest (season 1), recurring role (Judy, season 2) |
| 2012 | In Plain Sight | Lia Hernandez | 4 episodes |
| 2012 | The Apprentice | Herself (Contestant) | Series 12, "fired" in episode 5 |
| 2013 | The Birthday Boys | Herself | Episode: "Cool Machine" |
| 2014 | Asteroid vs Earth | Marissa Knox | Television film |
| 2014 | Uncle Grandpa | Island Girl (voice) | Episode: "Vacation" |
| 2015 | Hawaii Five-0 | Makana Kalakauna | 2 episodes |
| 2016 | Family Guy | Hawaiian Woman (voice) | Episode: "An App a Day" |
| 2017 | Mickey and the Roadster Racers | Auntie Olina (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2017 | Blue Bloods | Chow Lin | Episode: "The Enemy Of My Enemy" |
| 2018 | Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters | Officer Santos/Mechanica (voice)[20] | 3 episodes |
| 2019 | Dollface | Teresa | Episode: "Fun Friend" |
| 2020 | AJ and the Queen | Lady Danger | Main cast |
| 2020 | The Eric Andre Show | Herself | Episode: "Named After My Dad's Penis" |
| 2022 | A Big Fat Family Christmas | Ivy | Television film |
| 2023 | NCIS: Los Angeles | Layla Lewis | Episode: "Sensu Lato" |
| 2023 | Never Have I Ever | Dr. Logan | Episode: "... had my dream stolen" |
| Year | Title | Voice role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | The Daedalus Encounter | Ari Matheson | |
| 2006 | Saints Row | Lin | [20] |
| 2013 | Saints Row IV | Cut content |
| Week # | Dance / Song | Judges' scores | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inaba | Goodman | Tonioli | |||
| 1 | Waltz / "What a Wonderful World" | 6 | 7 | 7 | Bottom two |
| 2 | Rumba / "Emotion" | 7 | 8 | 7 | Safe |
| 3 | Tango / "Por una Cabeza" | 9 | 8 | 9 | Safe |
| 4 | Foxtrot / "Dream a Little Dream of Me" | 9 | 8 | 8 | Bottom two |
| 5 | Samba / "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" | 7 | 7 | 8 | Eliminated |
| GroupSalsa / "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" | No scores given | ||||
The following is a list of awards and nominations received by Carrere.
| Year | Title | Accolade | Category | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Wayne's World | MTV Movie + TV Award | Most Desirable Female | Nominated | [30][unreliable source?] |
| 1994 | — | ShoWest Convention Award | Female Star of Tomorrow | Won | |
| 1995 | True Lies | MTV Movie + TV Award | Best Dance Sequence (shared withArnold Schwarzenegger) | Nominated | |
| 1995 | True Lies | Saturn Award | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | |
| 2001 | Relic Hunter | ALMA Award | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Syndicated Drama Series | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Back in the Day | DVD Exclusive Award | Best Supporting Actress in a DVD Premiere Movie | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Hawaiiana | Grammy Award | Best Hawaiian Music Album | Nominated | |
| Saints Row | Interactive Achievement Award | Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance - Female[31] | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | Ikena | Grammy Award | Best Hawaiian Music Album | Won | |
| 2009 | He Nani | Nominated | |||
| 2010 | Huana Ke Aloha | Won |
actor Tia Carrere in 1967 (age 52)
