Can you believe it was more than 16 years ago that the lovely TIA CARREREstarred in 'Wayne's World'? Yeah, we feel old, but Tia doesn't seem to have aged one bit! She has her Filipino, Spanish, Chinese and Hawaiian ancestry to thank for that.

Tia's first major acting break came on General Hospital in the mid-1980s -- and she's appeared in a string of action films -- but Carrere longed to be a singer as a child. Though she was eliminated during the first round of her 1985 Star Search appearance at the age of 17, Carrere actually performed all of her own songs in Wayne's World (and sequel).

Here are few pieces of Tia trivia: She turned down a role in Baywatch to audition for Wayne's World. And, in 1992 People magazine named her to its annual "50 Most Beautiful People" list. More recently, Tia appeared on 'Dancing With The Stars,' and she's returned to her singing and cultural roots: She just received a Grammy nomination for Best Hawaiian Music Album.

Holidash talks to Tia here about her holiday memories and plans. For more info on what Tia's up to these days, visit www.tiacarrere.com.

Tia attends the world premiere of Touchstone Pictures' ''Dan in Real Life'' at the El Capitan Theatre on October 24, 2007 in Hollywood, California.

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HOLIDASH: What is your favorite holiday memory?

TIA: That's a toss-up between my daughter Bianca's first Christmas at three months old, looking with wonder on her first Christmas tree or last year when she inexplicably ran out out of her room and around the Christmas tree naked!


Tia arrives for the premiere of 'The X Files : I want to Believe' at the Chinese theater in Los Angeles on July 23, 2008.

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HOLIDASH: What are your cherished or most fun holiday traditions?

TIA: It's definitely sitting around the dinner table sharing a huge feast with family.


Tia and actress Daisy Fuentes attend the 2008 JCPenney Asian Excellence Awards on April 23, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

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HOLIDASH: What is one of the best and worst gifts you ever received?

TIA: So typical, but the best was probably when I was 10 and got a bicycle. And the worst? Any number of reindeer, snowman, or Santa Claus motif sweaters. Why do they even make those? I mean, who likes them over the age of 10?!


arrives at the 2008 JCPenney Asian Excellence Awards on April 23, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

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HOLIDASH: What is one of the best and worst gifts you ever gave?

TIA: I give pretty good gifts I think, but you'd have to ask my family!


Tia arrives at the 18th Annual Night Of 100 Stars Gala held at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 24, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.

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HOLIDASH: What are you planning for the holidays this year?

TIA: We just decorated our giant tree so we're just chilling at home and admiring it.


Tia is seen during the 26th Annual Academy Awards Documentary Nominees Reception at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on February 20, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.

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HOLIDASH: What makes this time of year special for you?

TIA: It's really a time to sit back and reflect on all we have to be thankful for -- no matter how small or great the achievements. If there's one time to be gentle with ourselves, it's now.


Tia arrives at the 50th annual Grammy awards held at the Staples Center on February 10, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

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HOLIDASH: What do you hope to find in your stocking this year?

TIA: Whoops, gotta go buy stockings! But I'd love a new iPod with video capability. Hint, hint....


Tia arrives at Starz premiere party for its two new comedies, 'Head Case' and 'Hollywood Residential.' held at the Sky Bar on January 15, 2008 in Hollywood California.

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MARISSA JARET WINOKUR won the 2003 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance in Hairspray. She had previously appeared on Broadway as "Pink Lady Jan" in the revival of Grease.

Winokur has also played roles in films such as American Beauty, Never Been Kissed, Teaching Mrs. Tingle, Scary Movie, Beautiful Girl (for ABC Family), Fever Pitch and most recently on Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 6).

Marissa returns to Hairspray December 9, 2008 - January 4, 2009 -- several years after leaving the show. You can also catch her in her new show, "Dance Your Ass Off!," which premieres on the Oxygen Channel Summer 2009.

During the early development stages of Hairspray, Winokur was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She underwent treatment for the disease, without revealing her condition to anyone except her immediate family out of fear that she would be replaced in the musical. Ultimately she made a full recovery and remained in the show.

Winokur married Judah Miller on October 7, 2006. In March 2008, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child, a boy to be named Zev, via a surrogate mother and that the pregnancy was five months along. Zev Isaac Miller was born July 22, 2008.

Holidash asked Marissa about her holiday memories and plans and this is what she had to say ....

Courtesy of Marissa Jaret Winokur

HOLIDASH: What are your favorite holiday memories?

MARISSA: One of my favorite holiday memories is singing at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting!!

Marissa arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of Focus Features' 'Milk' held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on November 13, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.

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HOLIDASH: What are your cherished or most fun holiday traditions?

MARISSA: My most cherished holiday tradition was going to my Godmother's house every Christmas morning. She recently passed away so it's definitely a very good memory.

Marissa arrives at Stand Up For Cancer at The Kodak Theatre on September 5, 2008 in Hollywood, California.

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HOLIDASH: What is one of the best and worst gifts you ever received?

MARISSA: The worst Christmas gift ever was when I was 14, when my mother bought me a really terrible winter coat. The best present I ever received was a pair of Harry Winston diamond earrings from my husband, Judah.

Marissa arrives at the premiere of 'Bigger, Stronger, Faster' at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles, California.

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HOLIDASH: What is the worst gift you ever gave?

MARISSA: The WORST gift I've ever given is an extra large shirt to a friend who thinks she's still a medium!

Marissa attends the 100th Episode of 'Dancing With The Stars' at the Day After on May 6, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

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HOLIDASH: What are you planning for the holidays this year?

MARISSA: It's our first holiday with our baby Zev. Anything we do will be memorable!

Marissa attends New Line Cinema's 40th Anniversary celebration at Lincoln Center's Fredrick P. Rose Hall in New York City.

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HOLIDASH: What do you hope to find in your stocking this year?

MARISSA: The new Sprint Blackberry!!!

Marissa attends Sony Pictures' premiere of '30 Days of Night' at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.

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