These Celebrities Don’t Go By Their Real Names
In the entertainment industry, every aspect needs to be marketable. Some celebrities have really catchy names, while others have had to get their creative juices flowing to come up with…
Jamie Foxx attends the world premiere of Netflix’s “Day Shift” at Regal LA Live on August 10, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Olivia Wilde attends the Michael Kors Collection Spring/Summer 2024 Runway Show at Domino Park on September 11, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York. Michael Keaton from Hulu’s ‘Dopesick’ attends Deadline Contenders Television at Paramount Studios on April 09, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images/Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Michael Kors/Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Deadline HollywoodIn the entertainment industry, every aspect needs to be marketable. Some celebrities have really catchy names, while others have had to get their creative juices flowing to come up with a unique name to be known for the rest of their lives. Meanwhile, there are some cases where there are other successful people in media who have the same name, and someone's got to change their name to follow SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) rules. This guild that represents actors stipulates that no two members can have identical working names. An actor whose name has already been taken must choose a new name. SAG-AFTRA allows any new member to keep their legal name as their stage name, even if another member has the same stage name already, as long as they sign a waiver.
Why Use a Stage Name?
Furthermore, a middle name may be adopted in preference to changing a name to avoid confusion. In some cases, attaching a generational suffix is sufficient for guild rules. A person hoping to become successful as an entertainer who has a name identical to a name already familiar to the public (in any field of endeavor) may change their name to avoid having their name evoke the other person with the same name. When it comes to musicians spanning all genres, artists have come up with some pretty unique stage names. Some artists, like Sean Combs, use several aliases (P. Diddy, Puff Daddy, Diddy, Puffy). Other reasons a performer will take a stage name is because their real name is considered unattractive, dull, hard to pronounce or spell, or even to retain anonymity. The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, started releasing his music anonymously on YouTube in 2009.
See which celebrities don't go by their real name in the entertainment industry.
Fergie
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 30: Fergie attends the 36th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards at Cipriani South Street on November 30, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Gene Simmons
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ABALOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: Gene Simmons of Kiss performs onstage at Staples Center on March 04, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ABA)
Michelle Yeoh
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesCANNES, FRANCE - MAY 21: Michelle Yeoh attends the 2023 "Kering Women in Motion Award" during the 76th annual Cannes film festival on May 21, 2023 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Tim McGraw
Dia Dipasupil/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: Tim McGraw performs on ABC's "Good Morning America" at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park on August 25, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Snoop Dogg
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 11: Snoop Dogg performs onstage during Hip Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium on August 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Lady Gaga
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesHOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Lady Gaga attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Paul Stanley
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesHOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Paul Stanley attends the Los Angeles premiere of "Studio 666" at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 16, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Future
Andreas Rentz/Getty ImagesMILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 22: Rapper Future walks the runway of the Boss Fashion Show during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 on September 22, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
Emma Stone
Cindy Ord/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 12: Emma Stone attends the screening of "When You Finish Saving The World" at Crosby Street Hotel on January 12, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
Bruno Mars
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BETLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 26: Bruno Mars attends the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Elle King
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Elle King attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Frank Ocean
Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 06: Frank Ocean attends The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Elton John
Leon Neal/Getty ImagesGLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. Sir Elton John performs on stage during Day 5 of Glastonbury Festival 2023 on June 25, 2023 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Shania Twain
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for CMTAUSTIN, TEXAS - APRIL 02: Shania Twain attends the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for CMT)
Doja Cat
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria's SecretNEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Doja Cat attends as Victoria's Secret Celebrates The Tour '23 at The Manhattan Center on September 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret)
Courtney Love
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty ImagesLONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 05: Courtney Love attends the "Moonage Daydream" London Premiere at BFI IMAX Waterloo on September 05, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
Lil Nas X
Leon Neal/Getty ImagesGLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Lil Nas X performs on stage during Day 5 of Glastonbury Festival 2023 on June 25, 2023 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Stevie Wonder
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Stevie Wonder performs onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Ice Spice
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 25: Ice Spice attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Miley Cyrus
Arturo Holmes/Getty ImagesWEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 09: Miley Cyrus attends the Versace FW23 Show at Pacific Design Center on March 09, 2023 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Michael Keaton
Emma McIntyre/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 14: Michael Keaton attends the special screening and Q&A event for Hulu's "Dopesick" at El Capitan Theatre on June 14, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Cat Stevens
Gareth Cattermole/Getty ImagesLONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Yusuf/Cat Stevens performs on stage during Music For The Marsden 2020 at The O2 Arena on March 03, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Megan Thee Stallion
Emma McIntyre/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 09: Megan Thee Stallion performs onstage during the 2023 LA Pride in the Park Festival at Los Angeles Historical Park on June 09, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Jamie Foxx
Joe Maher/Getty ImagesLONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Jamie Foxx attends the "Creed III" European Premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square on February 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Maher/Getty Images)
Jason Sudeikis
Gareth Cattermole/Getty ImagesLONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Jason Sudeikis during the photocall for "Ted Lasso" Season 3 at Battersea Power Station on April 28, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Jelly Roll
Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 26: Jelly Roll is seen on the Red Carpet before the 2023 NHL Awards at Bridgestone Arena on June 26, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Cardi B
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesBEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Cardi B attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Vin Diesel
Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Tribeca FestivalNEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 16: Vin Diesel attends the "For Khadija" Premiere during the 2023 Tribeca Festival at Beacon Theatre on June 16, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
P!nk
Andreas Rentz/Getty ImagesBERLIN, GERMANY - JUNE 28: P!NK performs on stage during the P!NK Summer Carnival 2023 Tour at Olympiastadion on June 28, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
Billy Idol
David Livingston/Getty ImagesHOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 06: Billy Idol is honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 06, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
Olivia Wilde
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Michael KorsBROOKLYN, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Olivia Wilde attends the Michael Kors Collection Spring/Summer 2024 Runway Show at Domino Park on September 11, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Michael Kors)
Ava Max
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 25: Ava Max, attends the Human Rights Campaign 2023 Los Angeles Dinner at JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE on March 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Lizzo
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl LagerfeldNEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 01: Lizzo attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld)
Halsey
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesBEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Halsey attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Winona Ryder
Roy Rochlin/Getty ImagesBROOKLYN, NEW YORK - MAY 14: Winona Ryder attends Netflix's "Stranger Things" season 4 premiere at Netflix Brooklyn on May 14, 2022 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
Pat Benatar
Michael Tullberg/Getty ImagesBEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 02: Musician Pat Benatar attends the opening night for the world premiere production of "Invincible: The Musical" at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on December 02, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
Queen Latifah
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Vanity FairBEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Queen Latifah attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Vanity Fair)
Charlie Sheen
Rich Polk/Getty Images for California StrongMALIBU, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 13: Charlie Sheen attends a charity softball game to benefit "California Strong" at Pepperdine University on January 13, 2019 in Malibu, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for California Strong)
Karol G
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesPASADENA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 19: Karol G performs during her "Mañana Será Bonito Tour" at the Rose Bowl Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Alice Cooper
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: Alice Cooper attends the Pre-GRAMMY Gala & GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Julie Greenwald and Craig Kallman on February 04, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Katy Perry
Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesWINDSOR, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Katy Perry performs on stage during the Coronation Concert on May 07, 2023 in Windsor, England. The Windsor Castle Concert is part of the celebrations of the Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other Commonwealth realms that took place at Westminster Abbey yesterday. Performers include Take That, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Paloma Faith, Olly Murs, Andrea Bocelli and Sir Bryn Terfel, Alexis Ffrench, Lang Lang & Nicole Scherzinger, Bette Midler, Tiwa Savage, Steve Winwood, Pete Tong and The Coronation Choir. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
