Tia Carrere is proudly sharing a very personal and important chapter about her family. The 58-year-old actress and singer recently revealed to PEOPLE that her 19-year-old son Jude, whom she shares with her ex-husband Simon Wakelin, has come out as transgender. Tia Carrere is full of love and pride for Jude, emphasizing that he knows exactly who he is and is very happy with himself.
Jude isn’t one to seek the spotlight, even though he did walk the red carpet for the Lilo & Stitch premiere, a moment Tia missed because she was filming in the Philippines. Unlike his famous mom, who made her mark as an actress and singer, Jude is more introverted and not interested in following those same career paths. Instead, he’s exploring other passions, including working with animals right now, and who knows, maybe he’ll become a doctor or choose a totally different direction. Tia admits she isn’t sure what Jude’s future holds, but she’s completely supportive.
Tia, who first rose to fame as a teen after being discovered in a Waikiki grocery store and later became a household name with her role as Cassandra Wong in Wayne’s World, is incredibly proud of how Jude carries himself in the world. She describes him as “very matter-of-fact” about his identity and genuinely happy. Beyond that, Jude is the kind of friend everyone wishes they had, a sweetheart who acts like a therapist for his friends. He’s the responsible one, often the designated driver when his friends go out partying, always the caring person they can lean on.
“I did a good job with that,” Tia jokes about raising him, but she’s quick to add that Jude is his own person, and she’s just proud to be his mom. Life has been a whirlwind for Tia lately as she stars as Mrs. Kekoa, a social worker in the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch. The movie is currently the number one film worldwide, grossing $341 million globally in its opening weekend. Tia loves stepping back into the spotlight and embracing roles that aren’t about glamour but about heartfelt, empathetic acting that connects with people.
Besides acting, Tia is also excited to keep singing and recording music with her Grammy-winning partner Daniel Ho. She’s passionate about continuing her work in film, TV, and music for decades to come, saying, “I want to be doing this for the next 40 years! It’s all for this.”
Through it all, Tia Carrere’s love and pride for Jude shine through. Her openness about his transgender identity is a reminder of the importance of acceptance and support within families. Jude’s confidence and happiness are what matter most, and Tia couldn’t be more thrilled to share his story with the world.
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