Watt was born to Ben and Cindy Ohai and raised in Draper, Utah. Her sister, Megan, is a former youth national team member who played soccer at USC where she won the 2007 NCAA championship. Her father named her after Kealia Beach on the island of Kauai. Watt, who graduated from Alta High School in June 2010, was a four-year varsity soccer player at the school. She led the team to four straight state soccer championships from 2006–2009. She was a two-time Gatorade state player of the year, three-time first-team high school All-America, three-time All-State selection, three-time 5A soccer MVP, and the 2010 NSCAA National High SchoolPlayer of the year. In June 2010, she earned Parade All-American honors. As a youth, Watt also played club soccer for the Utah Avalanche. With the team, she won four state titles.
A four-year starter with the Tar Heels from 2010 to 2013, Watt was a member of the 2012championship-winning team. She was named the tournament's most outstanding offensive player after scoring the game-winning goal during overtime in the semi-final and the first goal of the final in the second minute of the match. Following her freshman year playing for the Tar Heels, Watt was named to the First-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference and ACC All-Freshman Team. She led the team in scoring with 14 goals and started 22 of the team's 24 games. During her sophomore year, she started in all 20 games in which she played. She scored six goals, including a team high of 3 game-winning goals and served six assists. In her third year with the Tar Heels, Ohai led the team in points and goals.
Club
Houston Dash, 2014–2019
Watt was selected as the second overall pick in the 2014 NWSL College Draft by the Houston Dash as the expansion team's very first college draft pick. Of her draft selection, Dash head coach Randy Waldrum said, "I couldn't have asked for things to fall into place so well. It was an amazing day for the Dash. Starting with the selection of Kealia Ohai, we got one of the nation’s best forwards. She has great pace, is extremely athletic, and can really stretch defenses with her speed." She became the club's captain midway through the 2016 season, which coincided with a scoring streak which saw her net 11 goals in 10 games. Watt was named NWSL Player of the Week for weeks 15 and 17. She finished the season tied with Lynn Williams for the golden boot, Williams was given the award as she had more assists. Watt was named to the 2016 NWSL Best XI. In 2017, Watt scored two goals in 10 games before tearing her ACL on June 24 in a game against the Orlando Pride. This injury would force her to miss the remainder of the 2017 season. Watt returned to the field on April 22, 2018 against the Orlando Pride. In 2018 she appeared in 19 games and scored 5 goals.
Chicago Red Stars, 2020–
On January 6, 2020, it was announced that Watt was to be traded to the Chicago Red Stars in exchange for defenderKatie Naughton and the 18th overall selection in the 2020 NWSL College Draft.
International
A member of the U.S. youth national programs from the age of 13, Watt has played with the under-15, under-17, under-18, under-20, and the under-23 teams. As a member of the 2012 US U-20 Women's National Team, she won the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and scored the game-winning goal in the 44th minute of the final to lead the U.S. to victory over Germany. Watt made her international debut for the senior team on October 23, 2016 against Switzerland in a friendly match in Minneapolis. She scored 48 seconds after entering the match as a substitute in the 81st minute, setting a record for the fastest goal in a US women's national team debut. She received a call-up in July 2018 to the team's training camp for the 2018 Tournament of Nations, her first call-up since injuring her knee in 2017, but did not make the final roster for the tournament.
Personal life
Watt is legally blind in her right eye. Her brother-in-law is former NFLHouston Texans player Brian Cushing. In October 2016, Watt confirmed that she was in a relationship with NFL Houston Texans player J. J. Watt. They became engaged in May 2019. They were married on February 15, 2020 in the Bahamas. Watt subsequently began using her married name in 2020.
