Tia Carrere has revealed that her 19-year-old son Jude has come out as transgender.
The Wayne’s World star, now 58, discussed her child’s transition in a recent interview, revealing that Jude—her sole child with former husband Simon Wakelin—is flourishing.
‘He’s very matter-of-fact,’ Carrere told People. ‘He knows who he is, and he’s very happy.’
The actress, who played Cassandra Wong in the 1992 cult comedy, said Jude is wise beyond his years and the rock of his friend group.
‘He’s incredibly kind-hearted, like a therapist to all their peers,’ she mentioned. ‘Whenever his friends party too hard or drink, he’s the one driving them home, that reliable friend everyone can count on.’
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Tia Carrere has revealed that her 19-year-old son Jude has come out as transgender; (pictured in 2022)
The Wayne’s World star, now 58, talked about her child’s transition in a new interview, expressing that Jude—her only child with ex-husband Simon Wakelin—is flourishing; (Simon, Tia, and Jude in 2019)
The proud mom joked, ‘I did a good job with that. But I don’t want to congratulate myself too much! He’s his own person!’
Though he walked the red carpet at the Lilo & Stitch premiere solo—Carrere was filming at the time—Jude is not one for the Hollywood limelight.
‘He doesn’t love the spotlight,’ she said, adding that he has no plans to follow in her acting or singing footsteps.
‘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.’
Long before Tia publicly revealed Jude is transgender, the actress was already gushing about him—referring to him as her daughter in a 2023 red carpet interview.
Back in December 2023, Carrere opened up to People at the Unforgettable Gala in Los Angeles, just ahead of the holidays.
At the time, she proudly spoke about Jude heading off to college, calling him Bianca and describing him as a free spirit.
‘My daughter’s going to be starting college next year, so I just want to be home,’ she said. ‘I never went to college, so I’m excited for her.’
‘He’s very matter-of-fact,’ Carrere told People, adding ‘He knows who he is, and he’s very happy’ (Jude and Tia pictured 2009)
‘He’s such a sweetheart, he’s like the therapist to all the other kids,’ she said. ‘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; (Jude and Tia pictured 2008)
The proud mom joked, ‘I did a good job with that. But I don’t want to congratulate myself too much! He’s his own person!’ (Tia and Jude pictured 2012)
She continued, ‘I’m really thankful that I think, somehow, I had a hand in making a child that doesn’t feel like she has to fit in with everybody else, doesn’t feel like she has to wear the same clothes, do the same thing.
‘She’s a real individual, and I think it was because she grew up in Topanga.’
Carrere described Jude—then publicly known as Bianca—as ‘kind of a hippie kid’ who ‘loves going to Goodwill.’
She added, ‘It’s kind of good not to be ruled by that world. I’m really proud of her.’a and Jude
