What Happened to Tia Carrere After Wayne’s World?
Back in the early 1990s, Tia Carrere was one of Hollywood’s brightest rising stars. Her breakout role as Cassandra Wong, the talented bassist and love interest in Wayne’s World, made her an instant fan favorite. The comedy was a massive success, earning over $183 million on a modest $20 million budget. While its sequel didn’t quite hit the same box office highs, Carrere had already established herself as a household name.
The 1990s: Her Decade of Stardom
Before Wayne’s World, Carrere was steadily building her career with appearances in Aloha Summer, General Hospital, Airwolf, and The A-Team. But Cassandra Wong shot her to international fame. She even won the MTV Movie Award for Most Desirable Female, cementing her “It Girl” status in the ’90s.
From there, her career took off. She starred in Rising Sun (1993) alongside Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes, returned for Wayne’s World 2, and impressed audiences as the stylish villain Juno Skinner in James Cameron’s True Lies (1994). This period showcased her versatility in action, comedy, and drama.
Carrere also dipped into music. Her debut album Dream (1993) didn’t gain much traction in the U.S., but it went platinum in the Philippines. On-screen, she continued with films like Jury Duty, Kull the Conqueror, and My Teacher’s Wife. By the late ’90s, she was headlining her own adventure series, Relic Hunter, where she played globe-trotting archaeologist Sydney Fox. The role, often compared to Lara Croft, became one of her most iconic performances.
The 2000s: A New Direction
In the 2000s, Carrere shifted gears toward voice acting and music. She voiced Nani in Disney’s beloved Lilo & Stitch (2002) and reprised the role in several sequels and spin-offs. She later voiced characters in Duck Dodgers, Family Guy, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, and even the Saints Row video game series.
On television, she made guest appearances in popular shows like The O.C., Nip/Tuck, In Plain Sight, and Blue Bloods. Music also became a stronger focus—her Hawaiian-inspired albums Hawaiiana, Ikena, and Huana Ke Aloha earned critical acclaim, with two winning Grammy Awards.
She didn’t completely leave acting behind, though. Carrere continued to work on projects such as Showdown in Manila, the animated Legend of Hallowaiian, and Business Unusual. In 2014, she also competed on Dancing With the Stars, charming a whole new audience.
Recent Years and Current Projects
Nearly fifty years into her career, Carrere is still going strong. She’s appeared in Palm Swings, A Big Fat Christmas, Paradise, and Easter Sunday. Television fans may recognize her from roles in Never Have I Ever, NCIS: Los Angeles, The Potwins, and the animated series Royal Crackers, where she voices Queen Vasha.
She even returned to her Lilo & Stitch roots with a cameo in the upcoming live-action remake, this time playing social worker Mrs. Kekoa. Carrere is also set to appear as Madam Leroy in the film Waltzing with Brando.
As for another Wayne’s World sequel? Carrere has joked that if it ever happened, the cast would be hobbling around on walkers while she wore a Hawaiian muumuu, eating papayas. Fans might laugh at the thought—but truthfully, many would still love to see it.
