Althea Rae Janairo, better known by her stage name Tia Carrere, is an American actress, singer, and model who is best known for her roles in the 1992 comedy film ‘Wayne’s World’ and its 1993 sequel ‘Wayne’s World 2.’ Carrere, who was born in Hawaii, has dreamed of becoming a singer since she was a child. She traveled to Los Angeles to follow her goals after finishing her education. Her first major role was in the soap opera ‘General Hospital,’ after she had starred in several tiny roles in various series. Her most well-known part was in the ‘Wayne’s World’ film series, in which she played the main character’s love interest. She continued to pursue her passion for singing after her success in the movies. In 1993, she published her first album, “Dream,” which was followed by several others. Her singing abilities have garnered her two Grammy Awards. On 2006, she competed in the American dance competition show ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ She is currently based in Los Angeles. She has a daughter named Bianca, whom she shares custody with her ex-husband Simon Wakelin.
Childhood and Adolescence
Tia Carrere was born in the United States on January 2, 1967, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her father was a banker, and her mother was a computer supervisor named Audrey Duhinio Janairo. Her ancestors are Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish.
In Honolulu, she attended Sacred Hearts Academy. Her exotic appearance caught the attention of a producer in a supermarket store when she was seventeen years old.
Career of Tia Carrere
Tia Carrere relocated to Los Angeles in order to further her career. She was cast in a big part in the American medical drama ‘General Hospital’ after working as a model for several months. She played the part of Jade, a nursing student, for two years on the show. She went on to appear in a number of other shows, including ‘MacGyver’ and ‘Anything but Love.’
She rose to fame with the 1992 smash comedy ‘Wayne’s World,’ after appearing in films such as ‘Fine Gold’ (1989), ‘Instant Karma’ (1990), and ‘Showdown in Little Tokyo’ (1991). The sequel, ‘Wayne’s World 2,’ was published the following year, and she repeated her role as Wayne’s love interest.
Matt Prinz produced her first album, ‘Dream,’ which she released in 1993.
For her work in the award-winning 1994 action comedy ‘True Lies,’ she was nominated for the ‘Saturn Award’ for Best Supporting Actress. The picture, which starred Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Tom Arnold, was also nominated for an Academy Award.
One of her most important television roles came in the late 1990s, when she starred in the Canadian TV series ‘Relic Hunter’. Sydney Fox, played by Carrere, is a professor who travels throughout the world in search of ancient relics. The show, which incorporated aspects of both the supernatural and science fiction, became a worldwide hit and was televised in a number of countries. It was on the air until 2002.
She has had various voice roles in TV shows throughout the years, including ‘Lilo & Stitch: The Series’ (2003-2006), ‘Megas XLR’ (2004), and ‘Johnny Bravo’ (2005).
In 2007, she released her second album, ‘Hawaiiana,’ on which she collaborated with award-winning record producer Daniel Ho. It earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Hawaiian Music Album. Her following album, ‘Ikena,’ was released in 2008 and won her a Grammy Award. It was again produced by Ho.
‘He Nani,’ Carrere’s fourth album, was released in 2009, and ‘Huana Ke Aloha,’ her fifth, was released in 2010. Her fifth album earned her yet another Grammy nomination.
Roles in films such as the 2011 romantic comedy ‘You May Not Kiss the Bride,’ the 2014 science-fiction film ‘Asteroid versus Earth,’ and the 2014 action-thriller film ‘Gunshot Straight’ are among her most recent film appearances.
She has also continued to appear on television in tiny roles in shows such as ‘Back to You,’ ‘CSI: Miami,’ and the ‘Birthday Boys,’ among others (2013).
Major Projects of Tia Carrere
The American comedy ‘Wayne’s World,’ directed by Penelope Spheeris in 1992, can be considered Tia Carrere’s first important work. Mike Myers played the lead in the picture, which was his first, while Carrere played his love interest. The picture was a great blockbuster when it was released on February 14, 1992, and it went on to become the ninth highest grossing film of the year. Its popularity led to the release of a few games based on the film, which received largely positive reviews.
A sequel to ‘Wayne’s World’ was released in 1993 as a result of the film’s enormous popularity and success. Carrere reprised her former role in ‘Wayne’s World 2,’ which was titled ‘Wayne’s World 2.’ The film, directed by Stephen Surjik, was a moderate success but did not achieve the same level of popularity as its predecessor. It received mostly negative feedback.
Tia Carrere’s appearance as an evil witch in the 1997 fantasy film ‘Kull the Conqueror’ was another of her notable roles. The film was directed by John Nicolella and was based on Howard Conan’s novel ‘The Hour of the Dragon.’
She played Sydney Fox, a professor who travels the world in search of ancient relics, in the Canadian television series ‘Relic Hunter.’ Her character is frequently pitted against rivals who are also looking for antiques, but for monetary gain. The series was well-received and televised in a number of countries.
Achievements & Awards
Tia Carrere received two Grammy Awards for her studio albums ‘Ikena’ and ‘Huana ke Aloha’ in 2009 and 2011, respectively.
Personal History and Legacy
Elie Samaha, a film producer and real estate entrepreneur, was Tia Carrere’s first spouse, whom she married in 1992. The couple split after she was accused of having an extramarital affair.
She married Simon Wakelin, a photojournalist, in 2002 and they had a daughter, Bianca, who was born in September 2005. In 2010, the couple split and shared custody of their kid.
Estimated Net Worth
Tia Carrere has a $5 million net worth as an actress, singer, and former model from Hawaii. Tia Carrere rose to prominence in the mid-80s as a recurring character on the daytime drama “General Hospital.” She went on to star in films like “Wayne’s World” and “Wayne’s World 2,” as well as “True Lies” and “Lilo & Stitch.” Carrere has also appeared in shows such as “Relic Hunter,” “AJ and the Queen,” and the cartoon series “Duck Dodgers” and “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated,” and her music CDs have earned many Grammy Awards.