Michael Keaton, Gigi Hadid and More Stars' Real Names Revealed

Originally appeared on E! Online

Do you actually know the name of your favorite celeb?

Though it may not always be obvious, some of the biggest celebs are going by a name other than their own. From Michael Keaton to Gigi Hadid, a surprising number of artists adopt stage names—and it’s not just because they want to channel Hannah Montana and have the best of both worlds.

In the case of Michael Keaton—whose real name is Michael Douglas—the Beetlejuice star ditched his original moniker to comply with the Screen Actor’s Guild’s rule that no two members can have the same name. And because the Wall Street actor Michael Douglas and talk show host Mike Douglas had those bases covered, he opted for a different moniker.

As it turns out, Emma Stone—known by friends and family as Emily Stone—had a similar experience. But both actors have revealed that after many years of building a brand with their stage names, they’re ditching them for the real deal. And while this may take some getting used to, these talented actors are bringing a new level of authenticity to their work.

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But stage names aren’t always something that are adopted out of necessity. Stars like Gigi Hadid—Jelena Noura Hadid—and Tina FeyElizabeth Stamatina Fey—simply chose their childhood nicknames. Other artists including Chappell RoanKayleigh Rose Amstutz—and Lana Del ReyElizabeth Woolridge Grant—can lean into different personas when they take to the stage.

In fact, when asked about the origins of her stage name, Chappell Roan revealed that her onstage alter ego started as a “drag project” that helped her set boundaries with fans and separate herself from the industry.

Chappell Roan
Christopher Victorio/Shutterstock

“It’s easier to separate the two because I’m already so involved in my project, in my work,” the “Casual” singer explained to AP News in October 2023, “and I feel like the drag of it all kind of lets you have a break when I take my makeup off, when I am off the stage.”

And these are only a few of the stars that have taken on different personas in Hollywood. Keep reading to find out how you should call these stars by their name.

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson

<p>Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson</p>


Belcalis Almanzar

Belcalis Almanzar

Cardi B took on the name Bacardi after family and friends started calling her sister Hennessy. Later on she shortened the name to something that suited her quite a bit more.


Rachel Meghan Markle

Rachel Meghan Markle

Before she became the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle was briefly known as Rachel.


Eilleen Regina Edwards

Eilleen Regina Edwards


Kayleigh Rose Amstutz

<p>Kayleigh Rose Amstutz</p>

The “Good Luck, Babe!” singer’s onstage persona—Chappell Roan—has always been a “drag project,” allowing her to set boundaries and separate her personal life from the industry.


Jelena Noura Hadid

Jelena Noura Hadid

Oddly enough, Gigi Hadid got her stage name in school when the teacher would confuse her and a girl named Helena. Since her mom called her "gigi" as a term of endearment at home, she told the teacher to just call her Gigi and it simply stuck.


Mark Vincent

Mark Vincent

If you're looking for an explosive action-star name, how about Vin Diesel instead?


Destiny Hope Cyrus

Destiny Hope Cyrus

Miley Cyrus' bright smile is what inspired her childhood nickname, Smiley. Eventually the name was shortened to Miley and it stuck.


Peter Gene Hernandez

Peter Gene Hernandez

Apparently the singer looked more like a Bruno than a Peter, so one day his dad started calling him Bruno. Ever since, he has been known as Bruno Mars.


Stefani Germanotta

Stefani Germanotta

Before the meat dresses and chart-topping music, Lady Gaga was just an everyday girl from New York.


Daniel Sudeikis

Daniel Sudeikis


Emily Stone

Emily Stone

Emma Stone ended adopting this stage name after finding out that the Screen Actors Guild already had a member registered under her birthname.


Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon

Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon

Turns out Reese isn't even Reese Witherspoon's middle name. The actress chose the moniker in honor of her mother, whose maiden name is Reese.


Elizabeth Woolridge Grant

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant

Every artist has an alter ego, and Lana Del Rey just happens to be the persona of choice for the singer.


Christopher Edwin Breaux

Christopher Edwin Breaux

In 2014, Frank Ocean legally changed his name because, why not?


Elizabeth Stamatina Fey

Elizabeth Stamatina Fey

A little known fact about 30 Rock's Tina Fey is that she is actually named Elizabeth. The comedian made a not so subtle tribute to her birth name by naming her character Liz Lemon.


Calvin Broadus

Calvin Broadus

This pioneer of West Coast rap would later go on to be known as Snoop Dogg.


Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor

Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor

Turns out the "Royals" singer is really into learning about the aristocracy, hence the reason why she chose the name Lorde, but with a feminine 'e.'


Enrique Morales

Enrique Morales

Before he started shaking his bonbon for the masses, music superstar Ricky Martin went by this everyday name.


Amethyst Kelly

Amethyst Kelly

It's hard to believe that Iggy Azalea was born Amethyst Kelly!


Adam Richard Wiles

Adam Richard Wiles


Jennifer Anastassakis

Jennifer Anastassakis

Before she became a household name, this was what erstwhile Friend Jennifer Aniston answered to.


Alicia Augello Cook

Alicia Augello Cook

Alicia Keys didn't always have such a musical name.


Thomas Mapother IV

Thomas Mapother IV

Before he became arguably the biggest movie star in the world, Tom Cruise went by this name.