Elaine Starchuk: Tommy Lee's First Wife Turned Ceo & Animal Activist
Former adult magazine model Elaine Starchuk, who is also known as musician Tommy Lee's first wife, has confidently carved out a successful career outside the limelight.
Elaine Starchuk lives independently and far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, a place she was once familiar with through her past marriage to Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee.
Despite their unpleasant history, she fondly reminisces about their memories together on social media. Additionally, she has shared her recent achievements, including her passion for activism and her business.
Tommy Lee speaks during the press conference for The Stadium Tour with Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, and Poison bands at SiriusXM Studios on December 4, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Elaine Starchuk Is A Cancer Survivor & Entrepreneur
Starchuk, who hails from Canada, is a remarkable woman with notable achievements. She now lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she thrives as a businesswoman. She is also a cancer survivor, once diagnosed with the illness several years ago.
She underwent surgery, but she opted to heal naturally. She joined an all-women prayer team dedicated to providing prayers and support for the terminally ill. She also studied Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine as part of her healing journey.
Having conquered her health setback, she continues to pursue her other passions, such as managing her own business. She is the founder of the Enlightened Lashes Academy and the CEO of this high-end lash business in Canada.
With her impressive list of accomplishments, it's worth noting that she is a former beauty pageant winner and a former model for Penthouse, having graced the magazine's pages seven times.
Elaine Starchuk Deeply Loves Animals
Starchuk is a passionate animal activist. She has been using her Facebook to encourage others to adopt rescue pets. She also dispels worries about connecting with shelter animals. Her post read:
"Many people worry about connecting with a rescued dog or cat…but shelter animals have so much love to give—and they won't ever stop giving it to you once you let them into your heart!"
She has also emphasized that this practice not only saves lives but also creates space for other animals in need. She said these animals offer boundless love and can be a source of comfort and stress relief once given the opportunity.
When she celebrated her birthday in April 2023, she opened a fundraiser. She asked for donations for Jurassic Bark Rescue, a group committed to helping senior dogs and animals with special needs.
Starchuk mentioned that she has been caring for animals since she was three years old, and she used to have her own "hobby farms." While she is passionate about animals, her true love is for cats.
Her deep connection with these felines began in childhood, and as an only child, she formed a special bond with her first cat, Sasha. She later had two cats—Kingsley and Princess—who accompanied her over a decade before their recent deaths.
She Had A Rocky Relationship With Her Rockstar Husband
Starchuk states in her Instagram bio that she is the first wife of Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee. She was featured in his memoir "Tommyland," which covered his life and past marriages, including those to Heather Locklear and Pamela Anderson.
According to Lee's memoir, they got "married very briefly" after Starchuk—formerly known as Candace Starrek in Penthouse—dated the artist in 1984. Their relationship was marked by volatility, ultimately resulting in annulment in just 30 days.
Although they are no longer together, Starchuk often relive their memories online. She posted about their trip to Catalina Island with her family when they were teenagers. She also shared a photo from the 1980s inside their condominium in Fuller Avenue, Hollywood.
She also shared a photo of her and Lee taken in 2012, along with a lengthy reaction about the musician's 2019 biopic "The Dirt." In it, Starchuk expressed disappointment, citing inaccuracies in portraying events from their past.
She also corrected several false scenes and took issue with the film's depiction of violence against women. Despite the concerns, she appreciated the actor who portrayed Lee and the memories the film evoked.
In the film, rapper Colson Baker, famously known as Machine Gun Kelly, portrayed Starchuks' ex-husband. Actors Douglas Booth, Daniel Webber, and Iwan Rheon played the band members Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil, and Mick Mars, respectively.