Diana Lasso is a Colombian-American singer best remembered as the first wife of comedian and television host Wayne Brady. She married Brady in 1993, when both were in their early twenties, and the marriage ended in divorce just two years later. Although her name is tied to one of America’s most recognisable entertainers, Diana’s own story stretches far beyond that brief chapter, taking in a music career that began long before she ever met Brady. This article looks at who she is, how she and Brady’s paths crossed, and what she has done with her life since stepping out of the spotlight.
Bio Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Diana Lasso |
| Known For | First wife of Wayne Brady; singer |
| Date of Birth | 4 March 1975 |
| Nationality | Colombian-American |
| Profession | Singer |
| Notable Work | “Esta Noche No” |
| Marriage to Wayne Brady | 1993 to 1995 |
| Children | None |
| Family | Parents Carlos and Inez Lasso; siblings Elena and Julie |
| Estimated Net Worth | Approximately $1 million |
| Current Status | Lives a private life away from the public eye |
Who Is Diana Lasso?
Diana Lasso is a singer of Colombian heritage who built a musical career on both sides of the Atlantic before her name became linked to Wayne Brady. She was born on 4 March 1975, which places her among the generation of performers who came of age in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Her background in music, rather than acting or television, sets her apart from many other celebrity former spouses who entered the public eye through the entertainment industry itself.
Early Life and Family Background
Diana grew up in a household where music played a central role. Her parents, Carlos and Inez Lasso, raised her alongside her siblings, Elena and Julie, in a family environment that encouraged creative expression from an early age. Reports place part of her upbringing in Jackson Heights, New York, a neighbourhood long known for its diverse immigrant communities, which likely shaped her multicultural outlook and artistic sensibility.
Her Colombian roots gave her an early grounding in Latin music traditions, and she began pursuing singing seriously while still living in Colombia. This early training gave her a distinctive voice that would later carry into her recorded work, including the track “Esta Noche No”, which showcased her Spanish-language vocal style.
Diana Lasso’s Music Career
Diana’s career as a singer predates her marriage to Wayne Brady by several years. She had already begun building a reputation as a vocalist in Colombia before relocating to the United States to continue pursuing music professionally.
While she never reached mainstream chart success in the way some of her contemporaries did, Diana’s work as a singer remains a defining part of her identity. She is remembered not simply as a celebrity spouse but as an artist who pursued her own creative path independently of her marriage.
Diana Lasso and Wayne Brady’s Marriage
Diana Lasso met Wayne Brady before he became a household name. At the time, Brady was a young performer working in regional theatre and improvisational comedy, years before his breakthrough on the American version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 1998.
When Did They Get Married?
The couple married on New Year’s Eve in 1993 in Orlando, Florida. Brady was just 21 years old at the time. Their marriage lasted only two years, and the couple divorced on 21 September 1995, before Brady’s career took off.
Why Did Diana Lasso and Wayne Brady Divorce?
Wayne Brady has spoken publicly about the reasons behind the marriage’s end. He has said that marrying at such a young age meant neither of them truly knew themselves yet, and that the relationship suffered as a result of rushing into commitment too early. He has also referenced the pressures of building his career and personal struggles with depression during that period as contributing factors.
The couple did not have any children together. Brady later remarried, wedding actress and producer Mandie Taketa in 1999, with whom he had his only child, daughter Maile Masako Brady, before that marriage also ended in divorce in 2008.
Life After Wayne Brady
Since her divorce from Brady, Diana Lasso has largely stepped away from public life. She is known to maintain an interest in advertising, design, and photography, according to information linked to her social media presence, and she has also been described as having a passion for horse racing.
Unlike many former spouses of celebrities, Diana has not sought to build a public profile off the back of her marriage to Brady. She continues to be associated with music, though details of her more recent professional activities remain limited, reflecting her preference for privacy.
Diana Lasso’s Net Worth
Diana Lasso’s estimated net worth is reported at around one million US dollars, largely attributed to her music career and other private ventures. This figure is considerably smaller than Wayne Brady’s reported net worth, which stands at an estimated 12 million US dollars, built primarily through his decades-long career in television, comedy, and Broadway performance.
Conclusion
Diana Lasso’s story is often reduced to a footnote in Wayne Brady’s biography, yet her own journey as a singer and private individual deserves recognition in its own right. Her brief marriage to Brady in the early 1990s came long before his rise to fame, and the pair went their separate ways well before he became a household name. Today, Diana continues to live quietly, remembered fondly by Brady himself as a good person whose relationship with him simply began too soon in both of their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Diana Lasso?
Diana Lasso is a Colombian-American singer best known as the first wife of comedian and television host Wayne Brady. She had already pursued a singing career before her marriage to Brady in 1993.
When did Diana Lasso and Wayne Brady get married?
Diana Lasso and Wayne Brady married on New Year’s Eve in 1993 in Orlando, Florida. Brady was 21 years old at the time of the wedding.
Why did Diana Lasso and Wayne Brady divorce?
The couple divorced in 1995 after just two years of marriage. Wayne Brady later explained that marrying so young meant they had not yet grown into their own identities, which put strain on the relationship.
Does Diana Lasso have children with Wayne Brady?
No, Diana Lasso and Wayne Brady did not have any children together. Brady’s only child, daughter Maile Masako Brady, was born during his later marriage to Mandie Taketa.
What is Diana Lasso doing now?
Diana Lasso lives a private life away from public attention. She is reported to have interests in advertising, design, and photography, alongside her continued connection to music.
