"Baywatch" Star Carmen Electra Stuns At 51 — Look At Her Today

Jun 03, 2022 by apost team

"Baywatch" star Carmen Electra is the jack of all trades. Throughout her decades-long career, the Ohio native has been a model, a singer, and an actress. Born Tara Leigh Patrick in 1972, but known professionally as her stage name Carmen Electra, she rose to fame in the 90s. Electra began her career as a professional dancer and singer. In 1990, Electra started to dance at Kings Island amusement park in Ohio, where the rising star performed in the popular show "It's Magic." According to TheThings, Electra wasn't the only soon-to-be-famous person working at the Amusement park. Numerous other celebs also worked at the iconic amusement park, such as Woody Harrelson, Nick Lachey, and Dan Patrick.

The following year, Electra met the pop legend Prince. Soon after their meeting, Electra signed to Prince's recording label, Paisley Park Records. Her self-titled debut album was released in 1993. In 1996, she transitioned from singing to modeling. Electra became a glamour model. Electra made her acting debut in 1997 when she played Lani McKenzie in "Baywatch." She went on to star in "Scream," "Cheaper by the Dozen 2," and the "Scary Movie" Franchise. Electra quickly added media personality to her growing resume with her outspoken personality and striking good looks. 

Although the blonde bombshell may appear to have it all, her rise to fame had many obstacles along the way. The singer has battled homelessness, infidelity, and loss. Read on to learn more about the iconic Hollywood actress, her rise to fame, and what she is up to nowadays.

Accompanying Carmen Electra's decades spent in the spotlight have been numerous high-profile relationships. In fact, during her relationship with Prince, he created her stage name, Carmen Electra. In an interview with Billboard, Electra reminisced on her relationship with the "Purple Rain" singer after his death. 

"What a blessing it is to be one of the chosen ones who had the chance to work so closely with him," said Electra. "He gave me my name, he believed in me, and he has inspired an entire generation. I will always love him."

Although their relationship fizzled out, their love for one another remained. According to Review Journal, when Electra battled with homelessness after their breakup, Prince connected her to a publicist to help her find a job.

Electra landed a role on Baywatch and MTV's "Singled Out." Then, in 1998, just as her career began to take off, Electra experienced the most significant loss. Her mother, Patricia Patrick, died from brain cancer. 

In an interview with Mirror, Electra described the pain as the "hardest thing I have ever encountered in life."

Tragedy struck again; later that same month, her older sister, Debbie, died from a heart attack. 

"It was the hardest and worst time of my life when [my mother] died of cancer and then my sister had a heart attack in her sleep the same month," Electra told the Mirror. "I felt like I was going around in a cloud, like it wasn't real. I wasn't equipped to deal with this type of emotion."

Electra explained how her depression led her down a dark path paved by impulsive decisions. The Baywatch icon blamed her family tragedy for why she chose to elope with NBA legend Dennis Rodman.

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Although their marriage only lasted nine days, the couple walked away with a deep understanding of each other and still cherish the good moments in their relationship. 

"If the opportunity were to pop up today, and if I saw Carmen, I would probably ask her to marry me again," Rodman told Page Six. 

Years have passed since Carmen Electra and Dennis Rodman divorced. Electra has a long list of romances with Hollywood A-listers that didn't work out. But, in an interview with HuffPost Canada Music, the singer remained optimistic about love.

"My biggest lesson is to never become jaded by one experience," she said. "I'm always going to be inspired to look at love as it was the first time I fell in love because I think being in love is one of the most beautiful things in the world."

These past few years have been busy for the former Glamour model. After relaunching her music career, Electra launched her skincare line, GOGO Skincare. In an interview with the Fashion magazine, the actress explained the meaning behind the name. 

"The name touches my heart and reminds me of my connection with Prince," she told the outlet. Electra's new brand is named after a single, "Go-Go Dancer," off her debut album, produced by Prince. 

Through the years, Electra has perfected her "less is more" skincare regimen, and now she is ready to share her secrets with the world. 

"For the past twenty years, my daily three-step skin routine has allowed me to maintain healthy, glowing, and surgery-free skin," Electra shared with Byrdie. "I feel like now is a great time to teach my secret to the world."