CALGARY - Tia Carrere has found success in movies, TV and the music world. But there's one project the diverse performer likely won't be tackling anytime soon: a reality show about her life.
"Having all of these -- quote -- 'reality' shows where cameras follow you around and that sort of thing? I just think it creates a slow erosion of our sense of well-being," the "Relic Hunter" star said in a telephone interview with The Canadian Press.
"We feel like we have to live a more glamorous life and there's something wrong with our reality. The average viewer doesn't realize that those things are the furthest thing from reality," she added.
"It's like the Don Henley song 'Dirty Laundry'. Everyone wants to see. They're scripted for drama, for conflict, for marketing. It's not reality. So don't compare your reality to it and think there's something wrong where you are."
You can take it from the tone of her remarks that she will not be following the example of some other stars and looking for her own reality show, although she was a contestant on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."
"I actually was not 110 per cent enthusiastic about doing it but then I saw the English version and thought that would be a great skill to learn and it all seems very nice and doesn't get into the deep, dark, ugly stuff. It is a good family show," Carrere, 44, explained.
"There are things I could be doing right now but do I want to do a reality show? No. Sometimes taking just anything that comes along isn't the best choice."
These days Carrere is living in Los Angeles and focusing on her first love -- music.
She has recorded four CDs has won two Grammy Awards in the now discontinued category of best Hawaiian music album.
"It's soul put into sound. I started out singing. I never wanted to be an actress which is the weirdest thing. I always wanted to be a singer and that's how I express myself best is by singing," said Carrere, who was born and raised in Honolulu.
"We're actually looking to do an English language record next. I've gotten the critical acclaim with the Grammys now and should be able to segue that into the popular music."
As Cassandra, a rock singer and love interest of Mike Myers' character Wayne in "Wayne's World" and "Wayne's World 2" she performed all of her own songs and the "Wayne's World" soundtrack features her vocals.
She also wrote her own music on "Dream," an album she put out after "Wayne's World." Carrere, who is looking forward to appearing as one of the guests at this month's Calgary Entertainment and Comic Expo, expects to run into fans of both her acting and singing.
"I will probably see some of those at the Calgary show. People often bring their Dream CDs in and I'm quite proud of a lot of the songs on there," she said with a chuckle.
"What's not to love? You go out there, people tell you how much they love you. I like introducing people to my Hawaiian music in particular and say please check out this music."
Not everyone is a fan though. Her daughter Bianca has just started singing herself.
"She doesn't want to hear me sing which is hilarious. She'll say 'Mommy don't sing.'
The Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo will be held June 17 to 19 and also includes Canadian icon William Shatner.
