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One thing that you may not know is that many in the entertainment industry go by names other than the one they were born with.
Called ‘stage names,’ they
can come about for many reasons. Sometimes, a celebrity has a difficult
name to pronounce so they simplify it for the public. Other times, a
celebrity may jazz up a more common name to better match their star
quality.
can come about for many reasons. Sometimes, a celebrity has a difficult
name to pronounce so they simplify it for the public. Other times, a
celebrity may jazz up a more common name to better match their star
quality.
A lot of the time, it’s
obvious when a star has adopted an alias. Here are some of the most surprising celebrities who go by stage
names.
obvious when a star has adopted an alias. Here are some of the most surprising celebrities who go by stage
names.
2. Hulk Hogan. Like most professional wrestlers, his ring name is far different from his real name.
Instead, Hulk Hogan’s ring name is meant to embody his wrestling personality as a great All-American action hero.
His real name however, is Terry Gene Bollea. Hogan enjoyed a 30-year career as one of the most popular wrestlers in WWE history.
3. Katy Perry. Thanks to hit songs like ‘I
Kissed a Girl’ and ‘Teenage Dream.’ Katy Perry is one of the biggest pop
stars in the world right now.
Kissed a Girl’ and ‘Teenage Dream.’ Katy Perry is one of the biggest pop
stars in the world right now.
However, she was almost known as something much different. Katy Perry’s real name is actually Katherine Hudson.
However, considering
there’s already an actress named Kate Hudson, Katy thought that her name
would cause confusion and decided to change it.
there’s already an actress named Kate Hudson, Katy thought that her name
would cause confusion and decided to change it.
4. Bruno Mars. While you may know the, ‘Uptown Funk’ crooner as Bruno Mars, his real name is Peter Gene Hernandez.
Mars says that his first
name, Bruno came from a childhood nickname due to his resemblance to
larger-than-life wrestler Bruno Sammartino.
name, Bruno came from a childhood nickname due to his resemblance to
larger-than-life wrestler Bruno Sammartino.
‘I was this chunky
little baby so my dad used to call me that as a nickname,’ he said in an
interview with Parade Magazine. He added that Mars is because girls say
he’s out of this world!
little baby so my dad used to call me that as a nickname,’ he said in an
interview with Parade Magazine. He added that Mars is because girls say
he’s out of this world!
5. Shania Twain. While many
may know the Canadian country singer from songs like ‘Man, I Feel I Feel Like A Woman,’ and ‘That Don’t Impress Me Much.’
may know the Canadian country singer from songs like ‘Man, I Feel I Feel Like A Woman,’ and ‘That Don’t Impress Me Much.’
However, her real name is actually Eilleen Regina Edwards. When her mother remarried, she look her father’s last name Twain.
However, when she began
her music career, her label wasn’t all that impressed with her real
name so she changed it to Shania, an Ojibwe word for, ‘I’m on my way.’
her music career, her label wasn’t all that impressed with her real
name so she changed it to Shania, an Ojibwe word for, ‘I’m on my way.’
6. Rihanna. There are few singers in the world
that can go by just one name and make it work. However, Rihanna isn’t
actually her real name.
that can go by just one name and make it work. However, Rihanna isn’t
actually her real name.
The handle is actually her
middle name. Rihanna’s real full name is Robyn Fenty but the Barbadian
chanteuse would likely have been a star regardless of her name.
middle name. Rihanna’s real full name is Robyn Fenty but the Barbadian
chanteuse would likely have been a star regardless of her name.
Rihanna rose to fame
with the hit song, ‘Pon de Replay’ before becoming a household name
after the chart topping success of her song, ‘Umbrella.’
with the hit song, ‘Pon de Replay’ before becoming a household name
after the chart topping success of her song, ‘Umbrella.’
7. Olivia Wilde. Sometimes actors change their
names to make them more eye catching. However, other times, they alter
them for professional reasons.
names to make them more eye catching. However, other times, they alter
them for professional reasons.
Wilde changed her name from her born name of Olivia Jane Cockburn to make it more accessible for the media.
She got the name
‘Wilde’ from Irish playwright and novelist, Oscar Wilde who is known for
writing such works as The Picture of Dorian Gray.
‘Wilde’ from Irish playwright and novelist, Oscar Wilde who is known for
writing such works as The Picture of Dorian Gray.
8. Nicki Minaj. While going by an alternate
alias is pretty common in the hip hop game, it’s still surprising to
find out that Nicki Minaj isn’t her real name.
alias is pretty common in the hip hop game, it’s still surprising to
find out that Nicki Minaj isn’t her real name.
In actuality, the ‘Anaconda’ singer changed her name from Onika Tanya Maraj. Her original name is actually pretty cool.
9. Portia De Rossi. You probably know De Rossi
from her work on shows like Arrested Development and Ally McBeal
however, did you know Portia De Rossi isn’t her real name?
from her work on shows like Arrested Development and Ally McBeal
however, did you know Portia De Rossi isn’t her real name?
In fact, her real name is actually far tamer than you’d probably imagine. The Australian-native was born Amanda Lee Rogers.
While she’s perhaps
best known as Lindsay Bluth Funke from Arrested Development, she can be
currently seen playing Elizabeth North on Scandal.
best known as Lindsay Bluth Funke from Arrested Development, she can be
currently seen playing Elizabeth North on Scandal.
10. Lil Wayne. It probably doesn’t surprise you to hear that rapper Lil Wayne goes by a stage name as most rappers do.
The ‘Lollipop’ rapper’s
born name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. Wayne is known for hits like ‘Got
Money,’ ‘How to Love’ and ‘A Milli.’
born name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. Wayne is known for hits like ‘Got
Money,’ ‘How to Love’ and ‘A Milli.’
Wayne is one of the
best selling artists of all time, selling more than 100 million records
worldwide. He’s won four Grammys and ten BET Awards.
best selling artists of all time, selling more than 100 million records
worldwide. He’s won four Grammys and ten BET Awards.
