Basic Information
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lea Carmen Dellecave (professionally known as Lea Lachey) |
| Date of Birth | June 4, 1976 |
| Age | 49 (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Cincinnati, Ohio, USA |
| Residence | Cincinnati, Ohio, USA |
| Occupations | Dancer, choreographer, performing arts educator; occasional actor |
| Known For | Choreographer and tour dancer for 98 Degrees; marriage to singer Drew Lachey; co-running a Cincinnati performing arts day camp |
| Spouse | Andrew “Drew” Lachey (married October 14, 2000) |
| Children | Isabella Claire Lachey (born March 23, 2006); Hudson Nicholas Lachey (born May 15, 2010) |
| Education/Training | Dance training from childhood; practical choreography and performance experience |
| Notable Appearances | 98 Degrees tours (late 1990s–early 2000s); minor/brief screen appearances including projects filmed in Cincinnati circa 2015 |
| Social Presence | Prefers privacy; no verified, active personal accounts publicly known |
| Financial Note | Personal net worth not disclosed; estimates vary and remain unverified |
Early Life and Cincinnati Roots
Lea Carmen Dellecave was born on June 4, 1976, in Cincinnati—a city where riverfront grit and arts culture share the same stage. Dance arrived early, as if a metronome had been placed in her crib. Studio classes, recitals, and local theater gave her rhythm structure and a voice that didn’t need a microphone.
Around 1987, in fifth grade, she met a classmate named Andrew “Drew” Lachey. The friendship was easy: school plays, rehearsals, and the subtle electricity of two kids who loved to perform. By October 1992 they were dating, a teen romance that stretched across proms and part-time jobs, the kind of bond that survives the static of early adulthood because it’s wired into everyday life.
From Rehearsal Rooms to Arena Stages
When 98 Degrees began its ascent in the late 1990s, Lea stepped into a role that married her craft to the band’s moment—choreographer and onstage dancer. Through 1997–2000, she helped bolt together the group’s synchronized language: steps that sold choruses, transitions that made harmonies move. Stadium lights, bus call times, and endless sound checks carved out professionalism; love lived backstage while the work lived onstage.
Her choreography shaped the way a platinum-selling vocal group looked in motion. You could see her fingerprints in the tight formations and the confident, clean lines that bridged R&B-inflected pop with arena theatrics. For fans, the hooks were musical. For the show itself, the hooks were also visual—and Lea was part of the reason why.
Marriage and Family
On October 14, 2000, Lea and Drew married in Cincinnati, surrounded by family and longtime friends. That date became a hinge in their story: touring slowed, home took center stage, and careers adapted to a steadier tempo. Their daughter, Isabella, arrived on March 23, 2006, followed by their son, Hudson, on May 15, 2010.
The daily rhythm since has been equal parts carpool, rehearsal, and community events. While Drew’s public performances and appearances occasionally draw headlines, the metronome of their life ticks at home—schools, holidays, and hometown rituals that keep them grounded.
The Work Today: Arts Education and Community
In the 2010s, Lea redirected her discipline into teaching and mentorship. Alongside Drew, she co-runs a Cincinnati performing arts day camp, pouring tour-tested wisdom into the next generation. The curriculum blends dance, theater, and performance chops with the intangible lessons of professionalism: how to take notes, how to breathe through nerves, how to present yourself when the curtain rises.
Local families see the program as both training and sanctuary—a place where talent finds edges and softens them. Lea’s role is hands-on: shaping choreography, coaching stage presence, and reminding students that craft grows in daily repetitions, not just in applause.
On-Screen and Stage Appearances
Beyond touring, Lea has made brief and often local-minded screen appearances, including small parts or cameos in projects filmed in and around Cincinnati in 2015. The camera work was never about chasing celebrity; it was about proximity, opportunity, and continuing to create. Her name pops up as “herself” in a few music-adjacent projects as well, a nod to how personal and professional spheres often overlap for working artists.
2024–2025 Snapshot
Recent years reflect steady family life rather than splashy headlines. In May 2024, Drew publicly marked Hudson’s 14th birthday, a small window into a household that celebrates milestones with warmth and humor. Lea maintains a low profile, surfacing occasionally through family updates or 98 Degrees-related nostalgia. She isn’t courting the algorithm; she’s coaching a combo turn in a studio and getting dinner on the table.
Family Members
| Name | Relation | Born | Notables/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew “Drew” Lachey | Spouse | August 8, 1976 | Singer and performer with 98 Degrees; Lea’s childhood friend-turned-husband; frequent collaborator in community arts projects. |
| Isabella Claire Lachey | Daughter | March 23, 2006 | Grew up in rehearsals and recitals; engaged in arts through family programs and school productions. |
| Hudson Nicholas Lachey | Son | May 15, 2010 | Sports, school, and family events define his teen years; occasionally glimpsed in proud parental posts. |
| Gerri Dellecave | Mother | — | Maternal figure linked to Lea’s Cincinnati roots; limited public profile in keeping with family privacy. |
Note: Additional relatives beyond the immediate family are not widely documented, reflecting a preference for privacy.
Timeline of Key Moments
| Year/Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 4, 1976 | Born in Cincinnati, Ohio. |
| Circa 1987 | Meets future husband Drew in fifth grade. |
| October 1992 | Begins dating Drew; high school sweethearts. |
| 1997–2000 | Choreographer/onstage dancer during 98 Degrees’ major touring era. |
| October 14, 2000 | Marries Drew Lachey in Cincinnati. |
| March 23, 2006 | Daughter Isabella is born. |
| May 15, 2010 | Son Hudson is born. |
| 2010s | Co-launches and grows a Cincinnati performing arts day camp. |
| 2015 | Brief screen involvement in projects filmed around Cincinnati. |
| 2024–2025 | Family-focused updates; continued arts education work. |
Career and Financial Footprint
Lea’s professional arc is that of a working artist who knows both the exhilaration of a roaring crowd and the quiet focus of a studio mirror. Her signature contributions sit in choreography and performance coaching—fields where impact spreads person-to-person, show-to-show. As an educator, she’s helped hundreds of students learn how to stand, breathe, and perform with purpose.
Financially, her personal net worth is not publicly disclosed. What’s visible is the family’s commitment to long-term, Cincinnati-based work: teaching, occasional media appearances, and a life calibrated less to fame spikes and more to sustainable community involvement. It’s a model that trades headline moments for meaningful ones.
Style, Ethos, and Influence
Lea’s approach is measured and meticulous. On tour, that meant clean lines and musicality. In the classroom, it means repetition, patience, and a belief that discipline and joy can share the same measure. Students absorb more than combinations; they learn to navigate nerves and to carry themselves with professionalism.
Culturally, her influence radiates through the choreography that helped define a late-’90s pop era and through the local stages where young performers take their first bows. If Drew’s spotlight beams across arenas, Lea’s light glows in rehearsal rooms—steady, instructive, and essential.
FAQ
Who is Lea Dellecave?
She’s a Cincinnati-born dancer, choreographer, and performing arts educator, known for her work with 98 Degrees and her long-standing marriage to singer Drew Lachey.
How did Lea and Drew meet?
They met in fifth grade in Cincinnati and began dating in October 1992.
When did Lea and Drew get married?
They married on October 14, 2000, in their hometown of Cincinnati.
How many children do they have?
They have two children: Isabella (born March 23, 2006) and Hudson (born May 15, 2010).
What does Lea do professionally today?
She co-runs a Cincinnati performing arts day camp, teaching dance and performance to youth.
Did Lea choreograph for 98 Degrees?
Yes, she served as choreographer and onstage dancer during the group’s late-1990s touring era.
Has Lea appeared in films or TV?
She has had minor or brief appearances, including projects produced around Cincinnati circa 2015.
Is Lea active on social media?
She keeps a low public profile and does not maintain widely known, verified personal accounts.
Where does Lea live?
She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she also works in arts education.
How old is Lea in 2025?
She is 49 years old, having been born on June 4, 1976.
