The 90s and 2000s were full of glamorous entertainment legends and media superstars. Before the age of streaming and the mainstream Internet, magnetic celebrities like Carmen Electra became stars the old-fashioned way.
Through sheer talent, infectious charisma, and an iconic look, Carmen Electra captivated audiences worldwide, cementing her status as a lasting pop culture queen. Since nostalgia content is HUGE right now, all of us at TSC found ourselves wondering: “Where is Carmen Electra now?”
To catch up and discuss her incredible career, Michael and Lauryn brought Carmen Electra into the studio for an interview. Curious about everything she shared? Listen to the entire episode of the Him & Her show below! We’re also breaking down all the juicy details about her current life right here:
What Is Carmen Electra Doing Now? Projects and Public Life
After a five-year break from acting, Carmen Electra is back in action. She reprised her role in Good Burger 2 in 2023, and since then, she’s appeared in multiple TV shows and has several upcoming movies. Additionally, Electra has been in talks with Fox to join the 2026 Baywatch reboot as her legendary character Lani McKenzie. Needless to say, we’re about to see a lot more of Electra on screen in the coming years!
Beyond acting, Electra has launched a skincare brand called Electraskin. She’s active on social media, sharing updates about the company and glimpses into her personal life in Los Angeles. And yes, for those curious about her sexy side—she’s keeping that alive too. Electra has stepped away from traditional intimate modeling and now runs her own brand on OnlyFans.
She loves the creative freedom it gives her. “I just felt like, ‘Yeah, I need to do this,’” Electra said to People magazine about the shift. “I, for once, have this opportunity to be my own boss and have my own creative vision to share with my fans—without someone standing over me, telling me, ‘Don’t do this, don’t do that. Cover up this.’ People are going to do what they want with your photos anyway, so you might as well be in control and follow your own instincts.”
Electra is perfectly capturing both the idea of nostalgia and reinvention. While revisiting her iconic roles from the past, she’s building her own beauty brand and creative empire. Carmen Electra is seriously unstoppable!
Want to discover your own creative vision? Here’s how to build a personal brand just like Carmen Electra.
Who Is Carmen Electra?
Carmen Electra was born Tara Leigh Patrick on April 20, 1972. She grew up in Ohio with musician parents, which sparked her early passion for the performing arts. From toddler ballet classes to collegiate dance training, Electra’s passion and skill laid the foundation for her career in the entertainment industry.
After years of professional dancing and singing, Carmen Electra made a bold move in the late ’90s that changed everything. She landed her first major acting role on Baywatch and appeared in Playboy multiple times. Those two milestones catapulted her to worldwide fame and cemented her status as a household name. Since then, she’s remained a multifaceted pop culture icon, appearing in movies, TV, magazines, and more.
What Is Carmen Electra Known For?
Modeling for Playboy and Other Magazines
Carmen Electra had her first Playboy feature in 1996 and quickly became a fan favorite. She appeared in multiple issues over the years, rocking her playful but glamorous persona. This, combined with her alluring role on Baywatch, catapulted her into sex symbol status in the 90s and early 2000s.
To hear about her experience with Playboy, jump into her episode of the Him & Her Show where Electra discusses managing her sensual identity. If you’re curious about others’ experiences with the Playboy brand, listen to these episodes next:
- Holly Madison On Life At The Playboy Mansion, Early 2000’s Fame, & Finding Herself Again
- Kendra Wilkinson On Playboy Secrets, Girls Next Doors, Hugh Hefner, The Price of Fame, & Reinventing Herself
- Crystal Hefner on The Real Story Behind the Playboy Mansion & Life as a Playboy Bunny
Acting in Movies and TV Shows
Carmen is best known for her role as Lani McKenzie on Baywatch. However, she has also appeared on screen in plenty of other movies and TV shows. Here are some of her most notable ones:
- Baywatch (1997-1998): Lani McKenzie
- Good Burger (1997): Roxanne
- Scary Movie (2000): Drew Decker
- Starsky & Hutch (2004): Staci
- I Want Candy (2007): Candy
In her interview with Lauryn and Michael, Electra discusses auditioning for Baywatch and working with the Wayans on the Scary Movies. It’s so interesting to hear how it all works behind the scenes in Hollywood!
Hosting TV Specials and Game Shows
Carmen Electra spends plenty of time on screen in character—but she’s just as comfortable being herself! She’s appeared as a host or guest judge on numerous TV specials, dating shows, and televised competitions, including:
- Singled Out (1997-1998): Co-host
- Rock ‘N’ Jock Specials (1997-1998): Host
- Search for the Next Pussycat Doll (2007): Judge
- Manhunt: The Search for America’s Most Gorgeous Male Model (2004): Host
- Ex Isle (2023-2024): Host
Appearing on Reality TV Shows
You’d be hard-pressed to find a Playboy model who hasn’t dipped into reality TV. Carmen Electra made her mark on the genre in 2004, first appearing on The Surreal Life. Later that year, she starred in her own show called Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave.
This limited series followed her and then-fiancé Dave Navarro as they navigated their engagement leading up to their high-profile wedding.
If you’re famous, so are your relationships. Carmen Electra has had multiple highly publicized relationships, starting with a 9-day marriage to NBA star Dennis Rodman in 1998. Then, in 1999, she started dating the guitarist for Jane’s Addiction and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Navarro. They married in 2003, but Electra filed for divorce in 2007.
In the same year, she dated and later got engaged to Rob Patterson, the guitarist for the metal band Korn. However, the engagement was called off before the marriage. She’s had other relationships over the years, but none have garnered as much attention as those early in her career.
Dancing and Singing with Prince
Before the glamor of Playboy and the prestige of movie roles, Carmen Electra was a dancer and singer. Her career got a major boost when she met Prince in Minneapolis, and he signed her to his Paisley Park label.
Under his guidance, she released her self-titled album in 1993 (Lauryn is gunning for a re-release!). Over the years, she continued exploring pop and dance sounds with additional albums. During this time, Electra also danced professionally alongside Prince and other musicians. She performed on stage and appeared in music videos, showcasing the talent and charisma that would later define her career.
Carmen Electra and Prince: The Mentorship that Changed Everything
A lot of people don’t know that Prince actually discovered Carmen Electra! He met her while scouting talented dancers and singers in Minneapolis, where she was living at the time. Impressed with her talent, Prince signed her to his Paisley Park Records label and helped her release her first album. He even came up with her stage name, transforming her from Tara Leigh Patrick into Carmen Electra.
As part of his tour, Electra danced on stage with Prince and several other notable musicians. She also famously appeared in his music videos, including “Erotic City.” Through this mentorship, she gained significant professional exposure, enabling her to transition from a background dancer to a mainstream celebrity.
To hear more about their relationship and years working together, check out the Carmen Electra podcast with TSC, where she shares the mentorship story in detail. It’s truly incredible!
Who Is Carmen Electra Married to?
Carmen Electra isn’t currently married! She was previously married to Dennis Rodman and Dave Navarro, and was briefly engaged to Rob Patterson. However, since 2008, Electra hasn’t been in a significant relationship in the public eye.
Carmen Electra continues to captivate us with her charm, talent, and fearless self-expression.
As expected, Carmen Electra is still captivating us with her charm, fearless energy, and unapologetic creativity. She’s a reminder that true icons aren’t defined by a single role, a magazine cover, or a moment in time. Instead, they’re defined by the way they continue to evolve, take risks, and own their story on their terms.
In a world that’s always chasing the next trend, Carmen Electra remains a timeless force, proving that confidence, charisma, and self-expression never go out of style. We were fans then, and we’re definitely still fans now!