From the moment their parents signed their birth certificates, Reese Witherspoon, John Legend, Bruno Mars, and Rihanna seemed destined to make it big in Hollywood. However, some of the most well-known household names were not born with the golden ticket to celebrity. Instead, they forged their own paths, frequently using a stage name to gain access.
Marilyn Monroe- Born: Norma Jeane Mortenson
Norma Jeane was Marilyn Monroe’s nickname as a child. But do you know how she got to be known as Marilyn? Because a 20th Century Fox Studios executive feared there would be too many interpretations of her first husband’s surname, the actress dropped it. The studio exec gave her the name “Marilyn” because she reminded him of 1920s Broadway superstar Marilyn Miller. Norma Jeane volunteered the last name “Monroe,” which is a name from her mother’s side of the family.
The Weeknd- Born: Abel Makkonen Tesfaye
It should go without saying that The Weeknd’s first and last names are not “The” and “Weeknd,” respectively. Abel Makkonen Tesfaye was the singer’s given name. He said that he picked his stage name after moving out of his parent’s house when he was a teenager. “I dropped out of high school when I was about 17 and encouraged Lamar to do the same, lol,” he continued, referring to a member of his group. “We took our beds from our parents, loaded them in our friends’ rickety van, and drove away one weekend, never to return.” HOB [House of Balloons] was going to be the title.
Irina Shayk- Born: Irina Shaykhlislamov
Irina Shayk’s legal name is Shaykhlislamov, according to the Observer, who discovered it on the deed of her Manhattan residence.
Lady Gaga- Born: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta
Germanotta’s now-famous stage name was inspired by the Queen song “Radio Ga Ga” from 1984, and she adopted it before becoming an international pop star. Gaga will continue to use her stage identity in all of her acting roles.
Rihanna- Born: Robyn Rihanna Fenty
The “Wild Thoughts” singer has always gone by her middle name, Rihanna, in the music industry. But, according to Rolling Stone, her friends and family still refer to her as Robyn, especially when they want her attention. “I get a little tired of hearing Rihanna, Rihanna, Rihanna,” she admitted to the tabloid. “I pay attention when I hear Robyn.”
Cardi B- Born: Belcalis Almanzar
Despite the fact that we know her as Cardi B, loyal fans are aware that she was given a much longer name at birth: Belcalis Almanzar. Cardi B is an abbreviation for Bacardi, the rum. Hennessy is the name of my younger sister. “Jimmy Fallon was informed by Cardi B. So everyone started calling me Bacardi, and I started calling myself Bacardi,” she explained, adding that her name was subsequently shortened to Cardi B.
Natalie Portman- Born: Neta-Lee Hershlag
Natalie Portman was given a traditional Hebrew name when she was born in Israel, but when her family immigrated to the United States in 1984, the Hershlag surname was changed to Portman, the actress’s maternal grandmother’s maiden name and Neta-Lee became Natalie.
Miley Cyrus: Born: Destiny Hope Cyrus
Miley Cyrus got her stage moniker from a childhood nickname. Destiny Hope’s family reportedly nicknamed her Smiley as a toddler because she was always smiling, which evolved into Miley. The “Malibu” singer then legally changed her name in 2008.
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