Tia Carrere revealed that her son, Jude, 19, has come out as transgender.
“He’s very matter-of-fact. He knows who he is, and he’s very happy,” Carrere, 58, told People recently.
The Wayne’s World actress, who shares Jude with her ex-husband, photojournalist Simon Wakelin, continued to express how proud she is of her son.
“He’s such a sweetheart, he’s like the therapist to all the other kids. When his friends go out drinking or partying too hard, he’s always the designated driver, that kind of caring friend you can always lean on,” Carrere added.
“I did a good job with that. But I don’t want to congratulate myself too much! He’s his own person,” she continued.
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The Dancing With the Stars alum voiced Nani Pelekai in the original animated Lilo & Stitch movie released in 2002. She recently played Mrs. Kekoa in Disney’s live-action remake of the hit film, with Jude hitting the red carpet for the premiere in her absence. (She had to miss the premiere due to being on set for a film in the Philippines.)
“He doesn’t love the spotlight,” Carrere admitted. “He’s more introverted, so he definitely won’t go into acting or singing like I did. But he’s a great artist. I don’t know what he’ll do! Maybe become a doctor or work with animals. He’s working with animals right now.”
As for her role in the live-action Lilo & Stitch, which topped the U.S. box office last week, Carrere couldn’t be more pleased with the film.
“I love that I’m not a glamorous sex symbol or whatever in this movie. It’s just good acting and it’s empathetic and it catches your heart, and that makes me so happy,” she told People.
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Carrere got her break on General Hospital before going on to appear in the Wayne’s World franchise and other movies, including True Lies and Kull the Conqueror.
The actress and singer also appeared on season 2 of Dancing With the Stars and season 5 of The Celebrity Apprentice.
