Tia Carrere, born Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo on January 2, 1967, in Honolulu, Hawaii, is a renowned American actress, model, and singer. Known for her roles in iconic films such as Wayne’s World, True Lies, and the Lilo & Stitch series, Carrere has captivated audiences with her talent and charm.
Her journey from a small-town girl to a Hollywood star is a testament to her dedication and hard work.
Early Life and Upbringing
Tia Carrere was born to Audrey Lee Janairo, a computer supervisor, and Alexander Janairo, a banker. She is of Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish descent. Growing up in Honolulu, Carrere attended Sacred Hearts Academy, an all-girls school.
From a young age, she dreamed of becoming a singer, although her first foray into the entertainment industry was through acting.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo |
| Nickname | Tia |
| Alternative Names | Althea Janairo |
| Date of Birth | January 2, 1967 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 58 |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Hometown | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Current Address | N/A |
| Education Qualification | Sacred Hearts Academy |
| Hobbies and Interests | Singing, Acting, Dancing |
| Languages Known | English, Hawaiian |
| Social Media Profiles | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter |
| Wikipedia Profile | Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile | IMDb |
| Website | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Slim |
| Body Measurements | 36-24-36 inches |
| Height | 5′ 4″ (162.5 cm) |
| Weight | 110 lbs (50 kg) |
| Chest | 36 inches |
| Waist | 24 inches |
| Biceps | N/A |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Hairstyle | Varies |
| Distinctive Features | Full lips, High cheekbones |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Tia Carrere has been married twice. Her first marriage was to Elie Samaha, a film producer, from 1992 to 20001. They had one daughter together, Bianca. In 2002, she married Simon Wakelin, a British businessman, but they divorced in 2010.
Carrere’s personal life has been a mix of highs and lows, but she has always remained focused on her career and family.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouse – Husband | Elie Samaha (1992-2000), Simon Wakelin (2002-2010) |
| Father | Alexander Janairo |
| Mother | Audrey Lee Janairo |
| Children | Bianca Wakelin |
| Siblings | Saundra Janairo |
| Affairs – Boyfriend(s) | Simon Wakelin, Elie Samaha |
| Significant Relationships | Elie Samaha |
Rise to Stardom
Carrere’s acting career began with a guest appearance on the TV series Airwolf in 1985. Her big break came when she was cast as Jade Soong Chung in the daytime soap opera General Hospital from 1985 to 1987.
However, it was her role as Cassandra Wong in Wayne’s World (1992) and Wayne’s World 2 (1993) that catapulted her to stardom. She also starred as Juno Skinner in True Lies (1994) and Nani Pelekai in the Lilo & Stitch series.
Tia Carrere – Selfie
Tia Carrere – Debut Film – Aloha Summer
Tia Carrere – Successful Film – Wayne’s World
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Throughout her career, Tia Carrere has received numerous accolades. She won two Grammy Awards for her Hawaiian music albums ‘Ikena and Huana Ke Aloha. She also starred as Sydney Fox in the TV series Relic Hunter, which ran from 1999 to 2002. Carrere’s versatility as an actress and singer has earned her a lasting legacy in Hollywood.
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Career Details | Actress, Singer |
| Debut Film | Aloha Summer (1988) |
| Notable Roles | Cassandra Wong (Wayne’s World), Juno Skinner (True Lies), Nani Pelekai (Lilo & Stitch) |
| Recent Films | Waltzing with Brando (2024), Paradise (2024) |
| Upcoming Films | Untitled Kestrin Pantera Feature Film (Post-production), Easter Sunday (2022) |
| Popular Television Series | Relic Hunter, AJ and the Queen, Never Have I Ever |
| Awards and Achievements | Two Grammy Awards, Saturn Award nomination |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | N/A |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Environmental conservation, Animal welfare |
| Professional Associations | Birmingham |
| Training and Education | Sacred Hearts Academy |
| Production Company | Amazon |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Wayne’s World, True Lies |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Wayne’s World, True Lies, Lilo & Stitch |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Finances Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Dollars | $5 million |
| Per Movie Charges in Dollars | $500,000 – $1 million |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Dollars | Contact for details |
| Sponsorship Deals | Our Schools Matter |
| Business Ventures | N/A |
| Investments | Real estate |
| Real Estate Holdings | Canyon Estate house ($2.52 million) |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | Canyon Estate house |
| Cars Collection | BMW |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Arnold Schwarzenegger |
| Favorite Actress | Jamie Lee Curtis |
| Favorite Film | Wayne’s World |
| Favorite Music Bands | Daniel Ho Creations |
| Favorite Sport | Basketball |
| Favorite Books | N/A |
| Favorite Colour | Blue |
| Favorite Food | Hawaiian cuisine |
| Things she likes | Singing, Acting, Hawaiian culture |
| Things she dislikes | N/A |
Top 5 Best Films – Tia Carrere
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Wayne’s World | 1992 | Cassandra Wong |
| Wayne’s World 2 | 1993 | Cassandra Wong |
| True Lies | 1994 | Juno Skinner |
| Lilo & Stitch | 2002 | Nani Pelekai (voice) |
| Relic Hunter | 1999-2002 | Sydney Fox |
Controversies – Tia Carrere
- Divorce Drama: Carrere’s high-profile divorces from Elie Samaha and Simon Wakelin were widely covered by the media.
- Dancing with the Stars: Her participation in the show was met with mixed reviews, with some critics questioning her dancing skills.
- The Celebrity Apprentice: Carrere’s time on the show was marked by controversy, including disagreements with other contestants.
- Grammy Awards: Despite her success, some critics argued that her Grammy wins were not deserved.
- Relic Hunter: The cancellation of the show after three seasons led to speculation about behind-the-scenes conflicts.
Interesting Facts – Tia Carrere
- Hawaiian Roots: Carrere’s music often reflects her Hawaiian heritage.
- Star Search: She was eliminated in the first round of Star Search but was spotted by a producer while shopping.
- Nickname Origin: Her stage name “Tia” comes from her sister’s nickname for her, and “Carrere” is a tribute to actress Barbara Carrera.
- Voice Acting: Carrere lent her voice to several animated characters, including Nani Pelekai in Lilo & Stitch.
- Reality TV: She participated in Dancing with the Stars and The Celebrity Apprentice.
- Grammy Success: She won two Grammy Awards for her Hawaiian music albums.
