By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
April 16, 1995
Three moles separate Tia Mowry from her identical twin, Tamera.
“I have three little moles between my eyes that I say stand for `T-I-A,’ ” said Tia Mowry, who stars with Tamera in the ABC sitcom “Sister, Sister.”
“It helps people tell us apart.”
It’s a good thing to know because, although the twins say their parents, friends and colleagues have no problem determining who’s who, they look like carbon copies to the casual observer.
At 16, the actresses have been working for one-third of their lives. Excitedly finishing each other’s sentences, they explained that “Sister, Sister” was a dream come true for them.
“I always wanted a series, but I never dreamt about having a series with my sister,” said Tamera, who was born two minutes before Tia. “We both have close friends, but Tia’s really my best friend. Working with your best friend and sister is almost not like working at all.”
Added Tia, “What more could you want? We have so much fun together.”
During a recent trip to Chicago to promote their series, the high school juniors were dressed identically, from their braces to their black sneakers and black-and-white checked jumpers. Neither was wearing any makeup. The 5-foot-4 1/2 twins don’t always dress alike, but doing so helps get the point across – they really do look interchangeable.
Perky, giggly and witty, they also appear to be interchangeable with the characters they portray – Tia Landry and Tamera Campbell. Separated at birth and adopted by different single parents (played by Jackee Harry and Tim Reid), the girls are reunited and convince their adoptive parents to move in together so they can live as sisters. The Mowrys’ real-life grandmother said watching the show is like watching home videos of the twins – with different parents, of course.
“Everyone who knows us says we’re just like the characters we play,” Tia said. “I like that ’cause I think we portray positive images of kids.”
“We are from a Christian family and don’t want to act trashy or say the Lord’s name in vain,” added Tamera. “And we’ve actually gotten letters from other kids who’ve noticed and thanked us for being good role models.”
Though their television alter egos are dating – at one time they vied for the same boy – the sisters don’t have boyfriends in real life yet. Their parents won’t let them go out with boys until they’re 18, which they said is fine with them. Neither is ready for her first onscreen kiss, either.
“We haven’t had to do any kissing scenes yet, but I know we’re going to have to get ready,” Tia said. “I know that we can’t play little kids all the time looking like 17-year-olds. But I really don’t want to do it yet. We’ve come close a couple of times, but we weren’t comfortable with the idea, so my mom made sure we didn’t have to. Boys really aren’t our priority right now. We’ve got so much to do with the show and school.”
“But Tia and I think the same guys are cute,” Tamera said.
Like . . .
“I couldn’t date this person (because he’s married and) old, but I really like Denzel (Washington),” Tamera said, breaking into a peal of laughter.
“Or Brad Pitt,” Tia added. “But Denzel’s No. 1.”
“We actually met Denzel,” Tamera continued. “Two of the hunks we’ve met are Tom Cruise and Denzel, so if we meet Brad Pitt, we’ll be set.”
And lest you think that budding stars know all the right things to tell their idols, the twins would have to correct you.
“We say nothing to them,” Tia said, laughing. “I said, `Uhhhhh, my name is Tia.’ And then I just sat there, and there’s like a silence. I remember when we met Denzel, he said, `Nice to meet you,’ and both of us wanted to shake his hand first, and we both ended up grabbing his hand to shake it. And he said, `Oh, a double handshake.’ ”
The twins are less shy doing imitations of some of their favorite actors. Tia does an especially good imitation of Tom Hanks’ lines from “Forrest Gump,” and both do dead-on impersonations of Jim Carrey from “The Mask.”
Born in West Germany and reared in Honolulu, the twins moved with their family to California five years ago. They’re not the only actors in their family. Younger brother Tahj, 8, is a co-star on “Full House,” playing Michelle’s best friend Teddy. Tahj also appeared as a dancer at this year’s Oscar ceremonies. (Their youngest brother, Tavior, 20 months old, has yet to audition for a role.)
“It’s funny ’cause even Tavior has no problem telling us apart,” Tia said. “When he wants mothering, he goes to Tamera. But when he wants to play, he comes to me. Strangers might not be able to tell us apart, but he knows which sister is which.”
