Foreign idols take pseudonyms for a variety of reasons. Some for career advancement, others because of a banal dislike of the initials given at birth. Since this is a common practice in the world of showbiz, our list today would be endless. But we decided to take only the most striking examples and reveal the real names and surnames of celebrities whom millions love so dearly.
Real names of celebrities
Lady Gaga – Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta
The fact that the pop diva lives under a pseudonym is obvious. However, only a few know her full name. Agree, it would be problematic if the singer used it as a stage. It’s much easier to pronounce Lady Gaga’s bright and laconic words, which were inspired by Freddie Mercury’s song Radio Ga Ga. At one time, the star was his ardent fan.
Tina Turner – Anna Mae Bullock
The artist’s pseudonym was invented by her husband and producer Ike Turner. He convinced the star that her real name and surname sounded trivial and would not be able to hook listeners. As a result, the singer agreed. And I was right! Changing her initials benefited her career.
Olivia Wilde – Olivia Jane Coburn
Many of the actress’s relatives are writers working under pseudonyms. It was they who inspired young Olivia to change her last name back in her school years. Being a great admirer of the work of Oscar Wilde, she did not think long about the pseudonym and kindly borrowed the well-known surname from the playwright.
Elton John – Reginald Kenneth Dwight
Back in 1968, the future legend was asked to record a record, but with one condition. Music publisher Dick James told the musician that he would have to take a stage name. The singer’s complex name is to blame. Then Reginald borrowed his first name from jazz musician Elton Dean and his last name from blues singer Long John Baldry.
Winona Ryder – Winona Laura Horowitz
A dislike for her surname prompted Winona to take a stage name. This happened at the very beginning of her career, when she was only 13 years old. The choice fell on the surname Ryder, which belongs to the singer Mitch Ryder, whom, according to the star, her father loved to listen to.
Ornella Muti – Francesca Romana Rivelli
To prevent the future star from being confused with her namesake, Italian actress Luisa Rivelli, film director Damiano Damiani persuaded her to take a pseudonym. By the way, he composed it himself, taking the name from the heroine of the play “Iorio’s Daughter,” Ornella, and the surname from the heroine of the novel “Pleasure,” Elena Muti. The author of both works is his favorite writer and playwright Gabriele D’Annunzio.
Natalie Portman – Neta-Lee Hershlag
The beauty entered the world of cinema at a very young age – at 13 years old. Relatives did not believe in her success and were afraid that the girl would simply disgrace the name of her family. So that the worried relatives would not worry again, the future star took the surname of her maternal ancestors.
Nicolas Cage – Nicolas Kim Coppola
In order to avoid confusion with film director Francis Coppola, who is his uncle, Nicholas decided to come up with a stage name. It’s funny, but he was inspired not by real people, but by characters from Marvel comics. As a result, the actor’s choice fell on the superhero Luke Cage.
Do you like your first and last name? If you had to take a pseudonym , what would it be? We are waiting for your answers in the comments!
