13 Celebrities Who Changed Their Real Names Before Becoming Famous

Sometimes we are given names that are either too hard to pronounce or too long to keep in their entirety. And if you are someone with a normal 9-5 job, that is completely fine. But, if you are someone in the entertainment industry who wants your name to be known by everyone, this may not be the best thing. That’s why many people choose to either shorten their full names or completely change them.

1. Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus legally changed her name back in 2008 from Destiny Hope Cyrus to Miley Cyrus. The name Miley is a rendition of her childhood nickname “Smiley” in honor of her paternal grandfather.

2. Victoria Beckham

Prior to becoming known as the fashion diva, Victoria Beckham, back in the early days of the iconic group we love, Victoria Adams was the name used for her records. However, when the Spice Girls became rising stars, she changed her name to Posh Spice. Years later, she become the famous Victoria Beckham we know today.

3. Vin Diesel

At the age of 17, Mark Sinclair was a rather big guy. He even used to work as a bouncer at a nightclub called The Tunnel. Around that time he took the name Vin Diesel and started to shave his head regularly.

4. Rachel Weisz

Early in her career, she changed her name to Rachel Vyce, but when people told her that it was too difficult to pronounce, she changed it to Kenya Campbell. She decided to keep it that way for a while, but she soon realized that it sounded unpleasant. The actress then decided to stay with Rachel Weisz and made a lot of iconic movies.

5. Natalie Portman

It was in 1994 when a very young Neta-Lee Hershlag auditioned for Leon and landed her first role in a major production. While filming, the actress changed her name to “Natalie” and took her mother’s maiden last name. Apparently, she wanted to maintain her privacy because some scenes in the movie were polemical.

6. Alicia Keys

Her real name is Alicia Augello-Cook, but she changed it and decided to have her own different stage name with a special meaning behind it. She explained, “It’s like the piano keys, and it can also open a lot of doors,” and she ended up with the name Alicia Keys and broke multiple records in her career.

7. Jamie Foxx

Eric Marlon Bishop, now known as Jamie Foxx, tried out a couple of different names when he first started doing open mic nights. When he’d sign up to the open mic lists, he used the names Tracy Brown and Stacy Green but eventually landed on Jamie Foxx.

8. Iggy Azalea

Her birth name is Amethyst Amelia Kelly, and she ended up with Iggy Azalea because she has a dog named “Iggy,” and it became her nickname. She came up with the surname Azalea, as she explained, “Because that is a street name that my mom and family live on, and it sounds very feminine, and I thought it would balance out Iggy being so masculine.”

9. Lana Del Rey

The singer’s real name is Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, but she’s now known as Lana Del Rey. When she began singing, she went by the name, “Lizzy Grant,” and also performed as “Sparkle Rope Jump Queen” until she landed on Lana Del Rey.

10. Tom Hardy

Before becoming Tom Hardy, his birth name was Edward Thomas Hardy, and he only used his first name before deciding to go by his middle name instead. Even though the Internet was aware of his true identity, it was not widely publicized.

11. Blake Lively

After Blake became an actress she decided to take the surname of her mother, Elaine Lively as her stage name.

12. Aaron Paul

His full name is Aaron Paul Sturtevant, but when he went to auditions, no one could pronounce his surname, “Sturtevant,” so he had to change it so that everyone could say it, and then he shortened it when he entered Hollywood.

13. Lorde

Lorde changed her original name at the age of 12 when she was signed to a development contract with the Universal Music Group after an agent of theirs saw footage of her singing at a middle school talent show. Her real name is Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor. The royalty hidden in the name Lord encouraged her in changing her original name, but she also added an “e” because she felt that Lord would be too masculine for a girl.

Preview photo credit Laurent VU/SIPA/Sipa Press Russia/East News, mileycyrus / Instagram

I Got Married at 80 and My Granddaughter Kicked Me Out – Watch How I Turned the Tables!

When my granddaughter kicked me out after I got married at 80, I knew I had to do something about it. With my new husband, Harold, we came up with a bold plan to show her she couldn’t treat me like that. What followed was a confrontation that changed our family forever.

I never thought I’d be sharing this story, but here we are. My name is Margaret, and I turned 80 last spring. I lived in a cozy room in my granddaughter Ashley’s house. It was small, but I had made it my own, with pictures and keepsakes from my past.

“Good morning, Grandma,” Ashley said one bright Saturday, bursting into my room without knocking. She never bothered with that.

“Morning, dear,” I replied, folding my quilt. “What’s the rush?”

“We’re heading to the park with the kids. Need anything?”

“No, I’m fine. Go enjoy yourself.”

She left quickly, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I couldn’t complain too much — after all, I had sold my house to pay for her college. Her parents had died in a car crash when she was just 15.

Midjourney

I took Ashley in and did my best to give her a good life. Now she lived here with her husband, Brian, and their two kids. Their home was big, lively, and often noisy.

A few months ago, life took an unexpected turn at the community center. I met Harold, who was charming and always had a camera around his neck. We started chatting, and before I knew it, I looked forward to seeing him. It felt like a second chance at love.

Midjourney

One afternoon, while Ashley was at work, I decided to share my news. I found her in the kitchen later that evening, flipping through a recipe book.

“Ashley, I have something to tell you,” I said.

She looked up, “What’s up, Grandma?”

“I’ve met someone. His name is Harold, and… well, he proposed.”

Ashley stared at me, her eyebrows raising in surprise. “Proposed? You mean marriage?”

“Yes,” I replied, trying to contain my smile. “Isn’t it wonderful?”

Midjourney

Her reaction wasn’t what I expected. “Grandma, you’re 80. You’re too old for a wedding dress and all that. And Harold can’t move in here.”

I was shocked. “Why not? We have plenty of space.”

“This is our home. We need our privacy,” she replied firmly.

I tried to reason with her, but she wouldn’t listen. The next morning, she packed my belongings and set them by the door.

“Ashley, what are you doing?” I asked, feeling tears start to form.

“You need to go, Grandma. Find somewhere else to live. Maybe Harold can take you in.”

Midjourney

I couldn’t believe it. After everything I had done for her — raising her, selling my house — she was kicking me out. I felt so betrayed as I looked at the boxes of my life packed up like unwanted clutter.

With few options left, I called Harold. When I told him what happened, he was furious.

“She did what?” he exclaimed. “Margaret, get your things together. I’m coming to get you right now. You’re coming to stay with me.”

I hesitated. “I don’t want to be a burden.”

“You’re not a burden,” he reassured me. “You’re my future wife, and we’re in this together.”

Midjourney

With no other choice, I packed up my belongings and Harold helped me load them into his car. As we drove away, I glanced back at Ashley’s house, feeling a deep sense of sadness.

Harold’s place was a new start. He welcomed me warmly, and I began to feel at home again. We spent our time dreaming about our future together, but the pain from Ashley’s betrayal was hard to shake.

One evening, as we were talking, Harold’s eyes hardened with determination. “We’ll teach her a lesson,” he said firmly. “She needs to understand respect.”

Midjourney

I wasn’t sure how we would make it happen, but I had faith in Harold. He always had a knack for turning ideas into reality.

“Alright,” I said, feeling a surge of confidence. “Let’s show her what we’re capable of.”

And so, we started to plan.

***

Harold and I spent many evenings working on our strategy. Since Harold was a well-known photographer, he came up with a plan to reach Ashley through something she loved. She was passionate about photography and never missed the annual local photographer’s gathering.

Midjourney

“Margaret,” Harold said one evening, “I’ve got a ticket for the gathering. I’ll send it to Ashley anonymously. She won’t be able to resist.”

I felt a thrill of excitement. “Let’s do it.”

Before the big event, Harold and I had a small, intimate wedding.

Harold was determined to capture the day, taking beautiful photographs of our special moments. The photos reflected the joy and love we shared, showing the happiness in my eyes and the warmth between us.

Midjourney

The day of the photography event arrived, and, just as we hoped, Ashley showed up. She had no idea that we were behind the anonymous invitation. Harold and I waited backstage, our nerves tingling with anticipation. We were set on making a statement.

When the host called Harold to the stage to present his award-winning photographs, the room filled with excitement. As Harold walked out, there was a buzz of admiration. Then, to everyone’s surprise, the big screen lit up with portraits of me in my wedding dress.

Midjourney

Gasps filled the room as the audience took in the stunning images of me in my wedding dress. The photos captured not just the beauty of the moment but also the deep emotions we felt.

Harold took the stage and began, “I found love at 79, proving that age is just a number. Margaret, my beautiful wife, has a youthful spirit and a heart full of love.”

I watched as Ashley, sitting in the front row, turned red with embarrassment. Harold handed me the microphone, and I took a deep breath, my heart racing.

Midjourney

“Good evening,” I began, my voice steady. “I want to share a story about sacrifice and love. When my granddaughter Ashley’s parents passed away, I sold my house to help pay for her education and took her in, raising her as my own. But recently, she seemed to forget what love and respect truly mean.”

The room was silent, everyone focused on me. I turned to Ashley, who was sitting in the front row. “Ashley,” I said, “I still love you despite the pain you’ve caused. But I needed you to understand the importance of respect.”

Tears welled up in Ashley’s eyes as she looked down, clearly overwhelmed by the weight of her actions.

Midjourney

Harold spoke up once more, “Margaret and I shared our story to remind everyone that love and respect transcend age. Family should always be about support and understanding.”

The audience erupted into applause, showing their admiration for our message. After the event, Ashley walked up to us, tears streaming down her face.

“Grandma, Harold,” she said, her voice trembling, “I am so sorry. I was wrong and disrespectful. Can you ever forgive me?”

Harold and I exchanged a look, then I wrapped Ashley in a warm hug. “Of course, dear. We love you. We just needed you to understand.”

Midjourney

She invited us to a family dinner, promising to support my happiness and never take me for granted again. We accepted, hopeful for a fresh start.

That evening, we joined Ashley and her family. The atmosphere was warm, with sincere efforts to mend our relationship. Laughter and conversation flowed easily, and for the first time in a long while, I felt truly at peace.

During dinner, Ashley looked at me with sincere eyes. “Grandma, I didn’t realize how much I hurt you. I was selfish and ungrateful.”

Midjourney

“It’s okay, Ashley,” I said, gently placing my hand on hers. “What matters is that we move forward together.”

Brian, Ashley’s husband, who had been quiet throughout, finally spoke up: “We’re happy you’re content, Margaret. And Harold, you seem like a great guy. We’re lucky to have you both in our lives.”

Harold smiled warmly. “Thank you, Brian. We’re glad to be here.”

The children, sensing the shift in the mood, eagerly showed us their latest drawings and school projects. It was heartwarming to see the family reconnect. The room was filled with a genuine sense of togetherness, and I felt a renewed sense of belonging.

Midjourney

As the evening went on, Harold shared more about our adventures and how we met. Ashley listened closely, her eyes occasionally moist with tears. It was clear she felt truly sorry and wanted to make things right.

After dinner, we settled in the living room with cups of tea. Ashley turned to me again, her voice earnest. “Grandma, I want you to move back in with us. We have plenty of room, and I promise things will be different.”

I glanced at Harold, who nodded in agreement. “We appreciate the offer, Ashley, but Harold and I have our own home now. We’ll visit often, though.”

Midjourney

Ashley gave a bittersweet smile, showing she understood. “I get it. I just want you to be happy.”

“I am happy,” I told her. “And so are you. That’s what matters.”

As we left that night, the moonlight softly illuminating our path, I thought about the importance of self-love and standing up for oneself. Sometimes, life’s greatest joys come when we least expect them.

Looking around the table, I felt a deep gratitude for the second chance at happiness and for the family that, despite everything, remained close to my heart.

Midjourney

Harold and I drove home in quiet reflection, each of us processing the day’s events. When we arrived, he took my hand gently and said, “We did it, Margaret. We really did.”

I smiled, feeling a mix of accomplishment and relief. “Yes, we did. And this is just the beginning.”

Harold kissed my hand, and together, we walked into our home, ready for whatever came next. Our love and determination had delivered a powerful lesson to Ashley, and it had brought us all closer. This was a new chapter, brimming with hope and endless possibilities.

Midjourney

That sounds like a story with a lot of emotional depth and growth! If you enjoyed the previous tale, this one about a grandson’s change of heart and his quest for forgiveness should be quite compelling. Here’s a glimpse of what might unfold in that story:

**Title:** “Grandson Called Grandma ‘The Worst’ for Not Giving Gifts—Years Later, He Begged for Forgiveness”

**Summary:**
Once, a young grandson harshly labeled his grandmother “the worst” because she couldn’t afford to buy him presents. Her heart was broken, but she understood that his youthful perspective didn’t grasp the full picture. Over the years, as he grew older and faced his own challenges, he came to realize the depth of his mistake. Now, he seeks forgiveness and hopes to mend the rift caused by his earlier selfishness.

**Key Themes:**
– **Understanding and Growth:** The journey from being a self-centered child to a more empathetic adult.
– **Family and Forgiveness:** The importance of reconciling and valuing loved ones.
– **Life Lessons:** Learning the true meaning of generosity and love beyond material gifts.

If this piques your interest, diving into the full story could offer a touching look at personal redemption and the strength of familial bonds.

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