In Hollywood, it’s a time-honoured tradition for stars to undergo a makeover once they hit the big time – and for some celebrities, this even extends to their name!
From Gigi Hadid to Rihanna, what’s in a celebrity name isn’t always as straightforward as you might think. Whether it’s a stage name or a fancier version of their birth name, here are the stars who mixed up their monikers.
Keep scrolling to see the real names of celebrities.
Twitter went into meltdown as it was revealed Jamie Foxx’s real name is in fact, Eric Marlon Bishop. But the actor and singer had a very good reason for making the change: “I used to do stand-up in a club in LA and I went up and I had a great set and when I had a great set I couldn’t get back up for six weeks because comedians ran the list,” he told David Letterman in 2014.“So I go to another place … and I noticed that like 1000 guys show up and only three girls, but the three girls would always get a spot. So I went to the list and wrote down a unisex name … Jamie Foxx. And I’m the first guy called. He’d go, ‘Jamie Foxx, is she here?’ I said, ‘No brother, that’s me’.”
Gigi Hadid’s real name is Jelena Noura Hadid.
Pop diva Rihanna’s real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.
Rihanna’s BFF Katy Perry’s real name is Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson.
Emma Stone’s real name is Emily Jean Stone – but the Oscar-winning actress has spoken out previously about having to change her name due to someone already using it in the actor’s guild.
Rapper Drake’s real name is Aubrey Drake Graham.
Elle Fanning’s real name is Mary Elle Fanning.
Meanwhile, her sister Dakota’s real name is Hannah Dakota Fanning.
Mila Kunis’ real name is Milena Markovna Mila Kunis.
Blake Lively’s real name is Blake Ellender Brown.
Lorde’s real name is Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor
Miley Cyrus was born Destiny Hope Cyrus, but the star legally changed it when she was 15 years old. ‘Miley’ originated from a nickname her father Billy Ray gave her when she was a child, after noting his daughter smiled all the time.
Nicki Minaj’s real name is Onika Tanya Maraj.
Calvin Harris’ real name is Adam Richard Wiles.
Iggy Azalea’s real name is Amethyst Amelia Kelly.
Lady Gaga’s real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.
Rose Byrne’s real name is Mary Rose Byrne.
Lea Michele’s real name is Lea Michele Sarfati.
Brad Pitt’s real name is William Bradley Pitt.
Rooney Mara’s real name is Patricia Rooney Mara.
Ashton Kutcher’s real name is Christopher Ashton Kutcher.
John Legend’s real name is John Roger Stephens.
Olivia Wilde’s real name is Olivia Jane Cockburn.
Snoop Dogg’s real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.
Reese Witherspoon’s real name is Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon.
Jay Z’s real name is Shawn Corey Carter.
Celebrities surprising birth names
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