Tia Nicole Tucker (December 14, 1971), known by her stage name Tia Texada, is an American actress and singer. She is probably best known for portraying the role of Sgt. Maritza Cruz from the American television show Third Watch.
Texada was born in Louisiana to a reflexologist mother and an insurance agent father. She has been acting since she was young.
Texada's most recent appearance was as a guest star in an episode of CSI Miami. Before that, she was a guest star in an episode of The Unit. She played Sgt. Maritza Cruz in the NBC Drama Third Watch. She also has appeared in movies such as Paulie (1998) , Nurse Betty (2000), Glitter (2001), Phone Booth (2003) and Spartan (2004). She also has a singing career, and her songs have been featured on shows such as Dawson's Creek. She has lent her voice to TV's Static Shock as well as many television commercials. She has also done layouts for magazines.
