Tessa Rao
Tessa Rao | |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 February 1998 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 2017–present |
Tessa Rao is a New Zealand actress. She is best known for playing Izzy Garcia in Power Rangers Dino Fury and Power Rangers Cosmic Fury[1] She is also known for playing Poppy Achari in the soap opera Shortland Street.[2]
Early life
Rao was born in Auckland.[3] She is a graduate of Trinity College London and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts .[4]
Career
Rao's biggest role of her career so far has been playing Izzy Garcia (The Green Ranger) in Power Rangers Dino Fury.[5] The character is known for being the first lesbian character in the Power Rangers franchise.[6] Rao was worried that she would have to cut her hair for the character.[7] She reprised her role in Power Rangers Cosmic Fury.[8] Rao was then cast in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street.[9]
Personal life
Rao has said that her mom is her hero for supporting her during the good times and the bad. She is a big fan of the sitcom Ted Lasso. Her perfect evening is going out for a nice dinner with a little bit of karaoke at the end. Her favourite food is Hash browns, specifically the ones from McDonalds[10]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Into the Rainbow | Koia | |
| 2018 | Behind the Cover | Ava | Short |
| 2019 | Moving Day | Dead Victim | Short |
| 2020 | Zozo | Megan | Short |
| 2025 | Project MKHEXE | Ashleigh |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Auckward Love | Eveline | Episode; Oh my god, we're back again |
| 2021-2022 | Power Rangers Dino Fury | Izzy Garcia | 41 episodes |
| 2023 | Power Rangers Cosmic Fury | Izzy Garcia | 10 episodes |
| 2024 | A Remarkable Place to Die | Georgia | Episode; Out of the Blue |
| 2025 | Shortland Street | Poppy Achari | 75 episodes |
References
- ^ "Tessa Rao: Portraying Izzy Garcia, The First Female Green and LGBTQ+ Power Ranger". bluescreenreveals. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Five things you need to know before Shortland Street returns". thespinoff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Tessa Rao". tessarao.com. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Portfolio". tessarao.com. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Power Rangers star responds to playing franchise's first LGBTQ+ Ranger". digitalspy. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Power Rangers star feels "honoured" to play series' first LGBTQ+ ranger". gaytimes. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Power Rangers' Tessa Rao Says Role's Queerness Is 'Powerful'". advocate. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "It Took Power Rangers 30 Years To Use This Color For The First Time, And Now I'm Afraid We'll Never See It Again". screenrant. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Shortland Street unveils new cast photo with a twist for 2025". nowtolove.com. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Q&A with the Green Power Ranger Tessa Rao". nowtolove. Retrieved 13 August 2025.