Back in the Early ’90s, Tia Carrere Was Everywhere.Thanks to her breakout role as Cassandra Wong in Wayne’s World, Tia Carrere became one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood. She was the cool, talented bassist with killer vocals, and audiences loved her. The film was a massive box office hit, pulling in over $183 million on a modest $20 million budget. While the sequel, Wayne’s World 2, didn’t quite reach the same heights, Carrere was already well on her way to stardom.
She Was the Queen of the ’90s
Carrere had been acting before Wayne’s World, landing parts in Aloha Summer, General Hospital, Airwolf, and even The A-Team. But Cassandra Wong put her on the map in a big way. In the early ’90s, she became something of an “It Girl,” even winning the MTV Movie Award for Most Desirable Female.
She kept the momentum going with high-profile roles. In Rising Sun (1993), she shared the screen with Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes. That was followed by Wayne’s World 2, and then her turn as the glamorous villain Juno Skinner in James Cameron’s True Lies (1994) – proof she could handle action, comedy, and drama all at once.
Carrere didn’t stick solely to acting. That same year, she released her debut album, Dream. While it didn’t take off in the U.S., it went platinum in the Philippines. She later appeared in more films like Jury Duty, Kull the Conqueror, 20 Dates, Five Aces, and My Teacher’s Wife. By the late ’90s, she was headlining her own TV series, Relic Hunter, playing adventurer Sydney Fox – a mix between Lara Croft and Indiana Jones. Fans couldn’t get enough.
She Switched Things Up in the 2000s
Carrere stayed busy in the 2000s, though you might have heard her more than seen her. She voiced Nani in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and reprised the role in its sequels and spinoffs. Voice acting became a major part of her career, with roles in Duck Dodgers, Uncle Grandpa, Family Guy, and Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated. She also lent her voice to the Saints Row video game series – the self-proclaimed “GTA killer.”
On TV, she appeared in The O.C., Nip/Tuck, In Plain Sight, and Blue Bloods. Music also took center stage during this period. After a 14-year break, she released Hawaiiana, a tribute to her heritage, followed by Ikena and Huana Ke Aloha – both Grammy-winning albums.
She never fully stepped away from acting, appearing in Showdown in Manila, the animated Legend of Hallowaiian, and Business Unusual. In 2014, she delighted fans as a contestant on Dancing With the Stars.
What Has She Been Up To Lately?
Just like our heart rate watching her in Relic Hunter, Carrere’s career isn’t slowing down. After nearly five decades in showbiz, she’s still booking roles. She’s appeared in Tubi’s Paradise, Palm Swings, A Big Fat Christmas, and Easter Sunday. On TV, she’s popped up in Never Have I Ever, NCIS: Los Angeles, The Potwins, and voiced Queen Vasha in Royal Crackers.
She also has new projects in the pipeline. While she didn’t voice Nani in the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake, she did make a cameo as social worker Mrs. Kekoa. She’s also starring as Madam Leroy in the upcoming film Waltzing with Brando.
As for a possible Wayne’s World 3? Don’t hold your breath. When asked about it, Carrere joked, “You must be kidding. We’re all going to walk out on our walkers, and I’m going to come out in my muumuu from Hawaii, eating papayas.” Honestly, Tia, we’d still watch it.
