Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan Is Helen Hunt's Daughter & a Talented Musician

Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan is Helen Hunt's firstborn and only daughter with Matthew Carnahan. While not interested in acting, Helen Hunt's daughter is carving her path as an incredible singer and songwriter.

Helen Hunt cemented her name in Hollywood as a talented, award-winning actress with several on-screen credits. However, she is a loving mother to her only daughter at home.

Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan is Helen Hunt's talented daughter who receives support from her mother. Born on May 13, 2004, in Beverly Hills, Helen Hunt's daughter made headlines as soon as she was born.

A town in Maui, Hawaii, inspired her name, while Makena's middle name was derived from Helen's father, director Gordon Hunt. Helen shares her daughter with her then-companion, producer Matthew Carnahan.

In 2016, after 16 years together, Makena's parents called it quits. They experienced problems as a couple for several months but stayed together for their daughter. Makena was 13 then, while her parents were in their 50s. Before Matthew, Helen was married to Hank Azaria.

"Friends were shocked. Helen and Matthew always appeared to be super in love. Their married friends would joke that they were jealous of their relationship," a source revealed.

Helen Hunt's Daughter Is Making Waves as an Artist at 19

Makena is 19 years old and already making milestones. She graduated high school in June 2022, shortly after her 18th birthday, and is focused on honing her talent. For her 18th birthday, her mother celebrated her on Instagram, describing Makena as an "honest and true and funny and creative" person.

Like many her age, Makena is an active Instagram user and shares many moments relaxing or exploring with her friends, including days by the sea during vacations and camping at night.

Helen Hunt's Daughter Is a Singer and Songwriter

Makena showed little interest in acting and did not watch television shows while growing up. In 2013, Helen revealed her daughter had not seen any of her on-screen projects. However, Makena loved musicals. Although Makena did not follow in her mother's footsteps as an actress, she has a creative job as a musician.

She is a singer and songwriter in a band called Thea, where she collaborates with Rhea Garten, a musician who writes songs with her. In 2022, the duo released their "July" EP, which featured several great songs. Some of these made it to radio stations, including "Tell Me," which played on 89.9 KCRW and Sirius XMU, and "Blue," on KCRW's Eclectic 24.

Their latest single was released in 2023, "When You Ask," which is available on Apple Music. Makena often posts photos about her work as a musician on Instagram, including their triumphant show at the Bardot, where she and her partner sang a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon."

Makena Lei's Songs Received Recognition from Kelly Clarkson

In April 2023, Kelly Clarkson praised Makena for penning beautiful lyrics. The renowned singer showed enthusiasm and appreciation for Thea's song "Blue," while Helen was on her show. She said:

"I love this lyric. It's from 'Blue,' and it's called, 'Just another thing you say, it's only a little bit true.' Who's been in that relationship? Like it's so interesting."

Helen is very proud of Lei's success and talked about her daughter's career during an interview on "The Kelly Clarkson Show." The "Pay It Forward" actress said:

"The two of them write the songs together. I just hear them downstairs like laughing, or they're writing some sad lyrics, and then I hear, 'That's cool!'"

Helen Hunt also supported her daughter's album release, "July," through a promotion on Instagram. Besides Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan, Helen was a stepmother to Emmett Carnahan from her relationship with his father.