Los Angeles, California – Many Hollywood stars choose to adopt a new identity and go by a stage name when they enter the entertainment industry. However, some celebrities take it a step further by legally changing their names. One recent example is actress and singer Carmen Electra, who filed a petition in the Los Angeles County Superior Court to change her name. While some stars opt for the legal route, others simply assume a new name without any official documentation. Let’s take a look at some popular celebrities who have gotten creative with their alternate identities.
Born with the name Peter Gene Hernandez, singer Bruno Mars decided to go by the name Bruno Mars for his career. In an interview, he explained that his nickname “Bruno” came from Bruno Sammartino, a famous wrestler, and “Mars” was added for its celestial connotations. Similarly, Carmen Electra, whose birth name is Tara Leigh Patrick, was given her stage name by the legendary artist Prince when she auditioned for an all-girl group.
Faith Hill, known for her incredible singing talent, kept her ex-husband’s surname professionally even after their divorce. Her birth name is Audrey Faith Perry, but she legally changed her last name to McGraw when she married Tim McGraw. Similarly, Jamie Foxx, originally named Eric Marlon Bishop, adopted a gender-neutral stage name to break into the comedy scene.
Katy Perry, born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, decided to change her name after her early attempts at a music career under her birth name were unsuccessful. She chose Perry as her last name because it was the maiden name of her mother. Another famous singer, Miley Cyrus, is actually named Destiny Ray Cyrus. She adopted the nickname “Miley” from her childhood nickname “Smiley” and legally changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus to honor her grandfather.
Actress Natalie Portman, born Neta-Lee Hershlag, used her paternal grandmother’s maiden name, “Portman,” as her surname when she started acting. She made this change to protect her privacy and separate her artistic identity from her personal life. Similarly, actress Rita Wilson’s original surname, Ibrahimoff, was changed to Wilson when she was a child, and she chose the name Rita as a derivation of her birth name.
These Hollywood stars prove that a name change can be a strategic move in the entertainment industry. Whether it’s legally changing their name or adopting a new stage name, these celebrities have successfully created unique identities that have become synonymous with their talent and success.