Tia Mowry

Last updated

Tia Mowry
Tia Mowry on Sidewalks.jpg
Mowry in 2017
Born
Tia Dashon Mowry

(1978-07-06) July 6, 1978 (age 46)
NationalityAmerican
Alma mater Pepperdine University (BS)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • producer
  • author
  • entrepreneur
  • television personality
  • singer
Years active1990–present
Spouse
(m. 2008;div. 2023)
Children2
Relatives Tamera Mowry (twin sister)
Tahj Mowry (brother)

Tia Dashon Mowry ( /mɔːri/ ; July 6, 1978) is an American actress. She first gained recognition for her starring role as Tia Landry in the sitcom Sister, Sister (1994–1999), opposite her twin sister Tamera Mowry. The sisters then starred together in the fantasy comedy film Seventeen Again (2000) and voiced the LaBelle sisters in the animated series Detention (1999–2000). The two also starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie Twitches (2005) and its sequel, Twitches Too (2007). They were featured in the reality series Tia & Tamera from 2011 to 2013.

Contents

Mowry voiced Sasha in the animated series Bratz (2005–2006). She starred as Melanie Barnett in the comedy-drama series The Game (2006–2012, 2015), Stephanie Phillips in the sitcom Instant Mom (2013–2015) and Cocoa McKellan in the sitcom Family Reunion (2019–2022).

Mowry had starring roles in the teen comedy film The Hot Chick (2002), the musical comedy film The Mistle-Tones (2012), the romantic comedy film Baggage Claim (2013) and the drama film Indivisible (2018).

Mowry and her sister, Tamera, formed a singing group in the early 1990s called Voices. The group debuted their first single, "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!", in 1992 and it charted at No. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Early life

Tia Dashon Mowry was born in Gelnhausen, West Germany, on July 6, 1978. Her mother, Darlene Renée Mowry (née Flowers), managed her children's careers when they were in the group Voices and also worked as a security guard. Her father, Timothy John Mowry, was in the U.S. Army at the time of her birth and later became a correctional officer with the City of Glendale Police Department, when the family moved to California. [1] [2]

Her father is of British and Irish ancestry and her mother is of Afro-Bahamian descent. [3] [4] Her parents met in high school, in Miami, Florida. Both joined the U.S. Army and eventually reached the rank of Sergeant. [5] Her family is "close-knit" and "very spiritual," [2] as the sisters became born-again Christians when they were eight. [6]

Tia is two minutes younger than her twin sister, Tamera. [7] Tamera was born first, at 4:30pm, followed by Tia at 4:32pm. [ citation needed ] She also has two younger brothers, actor Tahj Mowry and musician Tavior Mowry, who played college football for University of California, Davis.

Career

Mowry and her sister began entering pageants and talent shows while their family was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. Mowry's mom Darlene removed the twins from the early 90s R&B girl group Voices after a disagreement with management prior to the release of their debut album. At age 12, they convinced their mother to move to California with them so they could pursue acting. She agreed, on the condition that they land an acting job within the first month of their stay. In 1990, their family moved to California permanently, settling in Los Angeles, and she and her sister began appearing in commercials and small roles.

She is well known for playing Tia Landry, a twin separated at birth and reunited with her sister as a teenager in the show Sister, Sister . The series was developed for them after a producer spotted them on the set of Full House , a show on which their brother made regular appearances. Sister, Sister was initially on ABC but was cancelled by the network after two years and picked up by The WB, where it ran for another four years. During its run, they guest-starred on the Sister, Sister crossover episode of The Jamie Foxx Show and appeared on an episode of their brother Tahj Mowry's sitcom Smart Guy and did voice-over work for the Kids' WB series Detention .

After the show ended, both Mowry and her sister studied psychology at Pepperdine University. She also went to Europe to study humanities and Italian for a period. [8] Both she and her sister appeared in the Rob Schneider comedy film The Hot Chick , playing cheerleaders. Mowry also did voice-overs for the 4KidsTV cartoon Bratz as the voice of Sasha. In 2005, Mowry and her sister both starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie Twitches and reprised their roles in its sequel, Twitches Too and before co-starred in the 2000 movie Seventeen Again . Tia also appeared on an episode of her sister's television show, Strong Medicine , in January 2006, playing the role of Keisha, the twin sister of Tamera Mowry's character, Dr. Kayla Thornton. Mowry has a starring role in the BET television series The Game as Melanie Barnett. Mowry has been nominated for a Teen Choice Award and an NAACP Image Award for best actress in a comedy.

In the Blue's Clues episode "Blue's Birthday", Mowry and her sister make a cameo appearance as two of the celebrities wishing Blue a happy birthday. Their only line is said in unison: "Happy Birthday, Blue!" Beginning in July 2011, the Style Network began airing Tia & Tamera , a reality show which follows the day-to-day lives of the twins; Tia being pregnant and Tamera planning her wedding. Mowry and her sister are both singers. They have showcased their vocal abilities on episodes of Sister Sister, including covers of "You Can't Hurry Love", "Amazing Grace" and "I'm Going Down", which Tamera performed. They also sang the theme song during season five and six.

In May 2012, Mowry published her first book, Oh, Baby: Pregnancy Tales and Advice from One Hot Mama to Another, about her pregnancy and being a working mother. [9] In May 2012, Mowry revealed on Twitter that she would not be returning to The Game , for a sixth season. From 2013 to 2015 she starred in the NickMom/Nick at Nite series Instant Mom . [10]

From 2015 to 2017, Mowry starred in her Cooking Channel series Tia Mowry at Home, [11] where she made everything from macaroni and cheese, cake, pie, curry chicken, collard greens, shakshuka, potato, galette and various types of cocktails. Some of her guest stars included her The Game co-stars Hosea Sanchez, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and Brittany Daniel, as well as Lilly Singh from YouTube and singer Kelly Rowland.

In 2016, Mowry started a podcast on PodcastOne called Mostly Mom with Tia Mowry. [12] On April 29, 2016, she appeared with her twin sister on the daytime talk show The Real , where she promoted her new book Twintution. Since 2019, she has starred on the Netflix comedy series, Family Reunion. The show has been nominated for Outstanding Children's Program three years in a row at the NAACP Image Awards, winning in 2020 and 2021. [13]

In September 2021, Mowry released her second cookbook, The Quick Fix Kitchen, published by Rodale Books. [14] The book includes mealtime hacks, tips to bring joy and balance to the kitchen and easy, delicious and healthy recipes the entire family will love. In 2021, Tia partnered with Gibson to release an extensive homeware collection, Spice! by Tia Mowry. [15] In 2023, Mowry launched a haircare line named 4u by Tia.

Personal life

Mowry was previously married to actor Cory Hardrict, with whom she has a son (born 2011) and a daughter (born 2018). [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] They were married for 15 years and in a relationship for 21 years. [21] They met on the set of Hollywood Horror (2005). [22] Hardrict proposed to Mowry on Christmas 2006 and married in California on April 20, 2008. [23] They announced their separation in October 2022 and finalized their divorce in April 2023. [24] [25] [26]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002 The Hot Chick Venetia
2004Bratz: Rock AngelzSashaVoice, direct to video
2005Hollywood HorrorKendra
2006 Bratz: Genie Magic SashaVoice, direct to video
Bratz: Forever Diamondz
2008The American StandardsKate
2013Bratz Go to Paris: The MovieSashaVoice, direct to video
Baggage Claim Janine
2018 Indivisible Tonya Lewis

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1990RosieTia TannerEpisode: "Adventures in Blondiesitting"
1991 Dangerous Women Judith Ann WebbUnknown episodes
1992 True Colors ReneEpisode: "In a Flash"
Full House DeniseEpisode: "The Devil Made Me Do It"
1994–1999 Sister, Sister Tia LandryMain role
1995 Are You Afraid of the Dark? Janice RobinsonEpisode: "The Tale of the Chameleons"
The Adventures of HypermaThe Bad EmmaVoice, episode: "The Good, the Bad and the Emmas"
1997 Smart Guy RachelleEpisode: "Brother, Brother"
1999–2000 Detention Lemonjella LaBelleVoice, 13 episodes
2000 Seventeen Again Sydney DonovanTelevision film
2001–2005Express YourselfHerselfInterstitial series
2005–2006 Bratz SashaVoice, 17 episodes
2005 Twitches Alex Fielding / Artemis DuBaerTelevision film
Love, Inc. Kim2 episodes
2006 Strong Medicine KeishaEpisode: "My Sister, My Doctor, Myself"
2006–2007 Girlfriends Melanie Barnett 2 episodes
2006–2012, & 2015 The Game Dr. Melanie Barnett-Davis Main role
2007 Twitches Too Alex Fielding / Artemis DuBaerTelevision film
America's Next Top Model Herself/Guest StarEpisode: "The Girl Who Impresses Pedro"
2008Lies & DeceitKateTelevision film
2010 Double Wedding Deanna Warren
2011–2013 Tia & Tamera HerselfMain role
2012 The Mistle-Tones HollyTelevision film
2013–2015 Instant Mom Stephanie PhillipsMain role
2015 Fresh Beat Band of Spies Sindy SauernotesVoice, Episode: "The Wow Factor"
2015–2017Tia Mowry at HomeHerself / HostMain role
2016 Rosewood Cassie3 episodes
Mistresses Barbara4 episodes
Man with a Plan BrendaEpisode: "Un-Dressed"
2017 Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn Ericka Knightly2 episodes
2017–2018 Me, Myself, & I Wendy4 episodes
2018My Christmas InnJen TaylorTelevision film
A Gingerbread Romance Taylor Scott
2019–2022 Family Reunion Cocoa McKellanMain role
2019 A Black Lady Sketch Show ImaniEpisode: "Where Are My Background Singers"
A Very Vintage ChristmasDodie BriteTelevision film
Prince of Peoria MeghanEpisode: "Game Night"
2021 RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars HerselfEpisode: "Side Hustles"
Miracle In Motor CityAmber DuPointTelevision film
2023 Hell's Kitchen HerselfGuest diner; Episode: "The Fab Five Take Flight"
American Dad! Max (voice)Episode: "Cow I Met Your Moo-ther"
2024Tia Mowry: My Next ActHerselfReality series

Music videos

YearTitleArtistNotes
1992"Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!" Voices
1999"I Really Like It" Harlem World featuring Mase and Kelly Price Guest appearance
2009"Under" Pleasure P Featured

Radio

YearTitleRoleEpisode
2015Sway's Universe: Sway In the Morning [27] Herself"Our Sister, Sister Tia Mowry Goes From The Game to Reality T.V. + New Chef Speaks On Keke Issue"
2019The Breakfast Club [28] "Tia Mowry On Growing Up A Twin, Non-Traditional Parenting, New Series Family Reunion + More"

Video games

YearTitleRole
2005 Bratz: Rock Angelz Sasha
2006Bratz Forever Diamondz
2007Bratz: The Movie

Awards and nominations

Honors

Accolades

AssociationYearCategoryTitleResult
Acapulco Black Film Festival 2014 Best Ensemble Cast Baggage Claim Nominated
NAACP Image Awards 1996 Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress (shared with Tamera Mowry) Sister, Sister
1999 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (shared with Tamera Mowry)Won
2000
2008 Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series The Game Nominated
2009
2011 Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special Double Wedding
2012Outstanding Actress in a Comedy SeriesThe Game
2020 Outstanding Children's Program Family Reunion Won
2021
2022
NAMIC Vision Awards2014Best Performance – Comedy Instant Mom Nominated
2015
Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards 1995 Favorite Television Actress (shared with Tamera Mowry)Sister, SisterWon
1996
1997
1998Nominated
People's Choice Awards 2012 Favorite Television Celebrity Star (shared with Tamera Mowry)
Teen Choice Awards 2007 Choice TV Actress – Comedy The Game
2012 Choice TV Reality/Variety Star – Female (shared with Tamera Mowry)
2013
Young Artist Awards 1995 Best Youth Comedienne in a Television Show (shared with Tamera Mowry)Sister, Sister
1996 Best Performance by a Young Actress – TV Comedy Series (shared with Tamera Mowry)
1997 Best Performance in a TV Comedy – Leading Young Actress (shared with Tamera Mowry)
2001 Best Performance in a TV Movie (Comedy) – Leading Young Actress (shared with Tamera Mowry) Seventeen Again

References

  1. "Interviews". Archived from the original on August 1, 2008. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
  2. 1 2 Tia, Tamera And Tahj Mowry Keep Laughter In The Family With Hit TV Shows 'Sister, Sister' And 'Smart Guy' Archived March 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine . Findarticles.com (March 1, 1999). Retrieved on July 5, 2011.
  3. During an appearance on The Wendy Williams Show in 2010, it was stated that for years, the Mowrys believed that they had Italian ancestry on their father's side; however, after researching their family tree on Ancestry.com, they discovered that their father has British ancestry: "We're actually British."
  4. "'My Ancestors Live in Me': Tia Mowry-Hardrict Gets Emotional Over DNA Ancestry Results". Atlanta Black Star.
  5. Double Devotion – Today's Christian. Web.archive.org (January 9, 2008). Retrieved on July 5, 2011.
  6. TV's tantalizing twins: Tia and Tamara Mowry shared 'Sister Sister' sitcom, schoolwork and singing Archived May 13, 2007, at the Wayback Machine . Findarticles.com. Retrieved on July 5, 2011.
  7. "Is It True What They Say About Twins?". Jet magazine. April 30, 2001. p. 28.
  8. "Shows – The Game – Cast – Tia Mowry" Archived November 10, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  9. Oh, Baby!: Pregnancy Tales and Advice from One Hot Mama to Another. Avery. 2013. ISBN   978-1583335284.
  10. "Instant Mom". The Futon Critic. Archived from the original on September 22, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  11. Terrero, Nina (April 29, 2015). "Tia Mowry talks new cooking show, which will include some Beyonce". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  12. Mowry, Tia. "Mostly Mom with Tia Mowry". www.podcastone.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  13. Bosselman, Haley (March 28, 2021). "NAACP Image Awards 2021: The Complete Televised Winners List". Variety. Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  14. Calderone, Ana (March 31, 2021). "Get a First Look at Tia Mowry's New Cookbook the Quick Fix Kitchen". People. Archived from the original on February 13, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  15. "Gibson to launch new celebrity line". Home Furnishings News. December 9, 2020. Archived from the original on February 13, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  16. Sister, Sister's Tia Mowry Is Pregnant! Archived September 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . Usmagazine.com. Retrieved on July 5, 2011.
  17. Actress Tia Mowry Reveals Her Baby's Gender Archived August 31, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . UsMagazine.com (August 25, 2009). Retrieved on February 5, 2011.
  18. Slater, Georgia (May 5, 2021). "Tia Mowry Is 'Glad' She 'Didn't Give Up' Having Second Baby, Wishes Daughter Happy 3rd Birthday". People. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  19. Blog Archive » Cory Hardict & Tia Mowry Decided On A Name For Their Little Boy. Media Outrage (June 30, 2011). Retrieved on July 5, 2011.
  20. "Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Cory Hardrict Welcome Daughter: 'We Are in Heaven'". People. May 6, 2018. Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  21. Tan, Michelle (January 21, 2007). "Sister, Sister Star Tia Mowry Is Engaged". People. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  22. "An Extended First Look at Black Love - Black Love". August 2, 2017. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021 via YouTube.
  23. Wihlborg, Ulrica (April 20, 2008). "Tia Mowry Gets Married". People. Archived from the original on January 30, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  24. Wenger, Stephanie (April 25, 2023). "Tia Mowry and Cory Hardrict Settle Terms of Divorce 6 Months After Announcing Split". People. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  25. Respers France, Lisa (October 4, 2022). "Tia Mowry announces split from Cory Hardrict after 14 years of marriage". CNN.
  26. Ahmed, Tufayel (April 8, 2025). "Cory Hardrict Talks Coparenting with Ex-Wife Tia Mowry". Us Weekly. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  27. Sway’s Universe (April 29, 2015). "Our "Sister Sister" Tia Mowry Goes From "The Game" to Reality T.V. + New Chef Speaks On Keke Issue". YouTube. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  28. Tia Mowry On Growing Up A Twin, Non-Traditional Parenting, New Series 'Family Reunion' + More. YouTube . Archived from the original on December 11, 2021.