Tara, a determined individual from the moment she took her first steps, began her journey in dance at the tender age of two, followed by an impressive feat of learning to read at just three years old. Growing up in Columbia, South Carolina, Tara was faced with a dilemma - to pursue a career in the medical field or to follow her passion for the performing arts. Her mother, a science teacher with a hidden talent for visual art, and her father, a soil and water conservationist with a semi-professional background as a violist, instilled in Tara a strong foundation in both paths, earning her the nickname "Doc Hollywood".
Throughout her formative years, Tara immersed herself in community theatre, honed her dance skills, and received voice lessons, ultimately culminating in her crowning as Miss United States Teen. This remarkable achievement paved the way for Tara to secure a full academic and music scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Music at the College of Charleston, South Carolina.
Following her sophomore year, Tara was pre-accepted to medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, a testament to her academic prowess. However, after landing a co-starring role on an episode of Dawson's Creek during her senior year, Tara discovered a newfound appreciation for the entertainment industry and decided to defer her medical school plans for a couple of years.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Tara made the bold decision to relocate to New York City to pursue a career in acting. This marked the beginning of her journey as a professional actress, and Tara never looked back. Today, Tara resides in Burbank with her husband, Blaise Fitzgerald, and their two children, Aubrey Elaine Fitzgerald and Gannon Grayson Fitzgerald.
