Tia Carrere

Early Life

Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo, known professionally as Tia Carrere, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1967. She is the daughter of Audrey Lee Janairo, a computer supervisor, and Alexander Janairo, a banker, and has a rich heritage that includes Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish ancestry. Tia attended Sacred Hearts Academy, an all-girls school, where she nurtured her passion for singing. At the age of 18, she participated in the talent show Star Search but was eliminated in the first round. However, her fortunes changed when she was discovered while shopping in Waikiki and cast in the film Aloha Summer, leading her to adopt the stage name "Tia Carrere."

Career

Carrere's career took off in the mid-1980s when she landed a role on the soap opera General Hospital, where she portrayed Jade Soong Chung from 1985 to 1987. She gained further recognition for her role as Cassandra Wong in the cult classic Wayne's World (1992) and its sequel, showcasing her singing talent by performing her own songs. In addition to her acting career, Tia has made significant strides in music. Her debut album, Dream, was released in 1993 and achieved platinum status in the Philippines. She later focused on Hawaiian music, releasing several albums, including Hawaiiana and 'Ikena, the latter winning her a Grammy Award in 2009. Carrere continued to receive accolades for her work, winning a second Grammy for her album Huana Ke Aloha in 2011.

Personal Life

Tia Carrere's personal life has seen its share of ups and downs. She married film producer Elie Samaha in 1992, but the couple divorced in 2000. In 2002, she married photojournalist Simon Wakelin, with whom she has a son. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 2010, with Carrere seeking sole physical custody of their child. As of 2010, she resides in Los Angeles, balancing her career and family life.