The significance of one’s name in the limelight is a unique facet of celebrity culture. It represents an identity, an embodiment of the persona that most stars strive to maintain. Notably, these names are commonly stage names, separate from their real names. irrespective of how renowned or popular these aliases become, they might not always be an authentic depiction of the artist’s personal essence.
Several celebrities at varying stages of their stardom have considered rebranding themselves by their birth names. Their reasoning could be anything from wanting to acknowledge their humble roots, upholding familial honor, or wishing to be recognized by the name they are addressed by in their private lives. Effectively, they desire to retire their stage identities, which have run their course.
One example is the Canadian singer, The Weeknd, who is globally recognized by his pseudonym. He is now considering a transition towards his birth name, Abel Tesfaye. This shift seeks to conclude the epoch of his life influenced extensively by his stage title.
Abel has contemplated this step for years and has expressed his inclination towards realigning with his original name—Abel Tesfaye. The advent of his latest record has spurred him to cement this significant decision formally.
Another case is of Michael Keaton or Michael Douglas in the real world. When he entered the industry, another actor was already operating under his legal name. His intention is to be recognized by a harmonization of both his identities, henceforth referred to as Michael Keaton Douglas.
Pop sensation Ariana Grande, recognized by a condensed variant of her full name throughout her career, has decided to revert back to her birth name, Ariana Grande-Butera. This decision occurred during her recent theatrical stint.
Emma Stone, in her youthful days, adopted a stage name when she discovered her birth name, Emily Stone, was already enlisted. Her first choice was Riley, but that soon changed to Emma, a moniker closer to her real name. Lately, she has confessed her longing to revert to Emily, which has been her birth name.
Blac Chyna, who began her journey as a stripper, introduced herself under that particular stage name. Of late, she has expressed the desire to restore her birth name, Angela White.
Beloved actress Anne Hathaway, who spent her Hollywood career performing under her legal name, has expressed a change of heart. She admits she would rather be known as Annie.
Then there’s Thandie Newton, who’s name stemmed from a spelling error. This mistake occurred during the movie credits when her original name ‘Thandiwe’ was mistakenly spelt as ‘Thandie’. For the better part of her life, she complied with this incorrect name before finally announcing her desire to reclaim her original one.
Audiences recall rapper Shad Moss by his childhood stage name, Lil Bow Wow. As he matured, he simplified it to Bow Wow. Nevertheless, he decided to revive his real name, as he felt his stage name didn’t encapsulate his current identity.
And finally, we take the case of rapper Lil Xan. His pseudonym originated from the medication Xanax, to which he used to be addicted. Once sober, it seemed fit to abandon the name that no longer reflected who he was. Before his rehabilitation stint, he stated his intent to relinquish it and took to his original name, Diego.