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Pop Stars' Real Names: 53 Music Icons' REAL Identities Revealed
Did you know Calvin Harris is not the DJ's real name? Did you know Bruno Mars isn't really called Bruno Mars? Check out 53 stars who have changed their real names and the stories behind their decisions.
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1. What is Camila Cabello's real name?
So half the planet seems to struggle with the pronunciation of the former 5H singers name (it's Cah-meela Cab-ay-o, FYI)... but that could all have been avoided if she just went by her birth name of Karla - although we reckon there'd still be problems with Estrabao... Picture: Getty
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2. What is Halsey's real name?
Halsey was born Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, but is best known by her stage name of Halsey, derived from an anagram of 'Ashley' and a reference to Halsey Street Station on the New York Subway too. Picture: Instagram
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3. What is Blac Chyna's real name?
Blac Chyna's real name is Angela Renée White and she gave herself the moniker after meeting a client in the strip club where she worked who was nicknamed Black China. She asked if she could use the name, stylised it by dropping the 'k' and the rest is history! Picture: Instagram
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4. What Is Jacob Sartorius' Real Name?
Having made his name using Vine and Musical.ly, Jacob Sartorius has more recently been linked to a budding romance with Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown, but it turns out his actual name is Rolf Jacob Sartorius! Picture: Instagram
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5. What is Zayn Malik's real name?
Former One D heartthrob Zayn Malik changed the spelling of his real first name when he became an X Factor star - but the reasons for the change still haven't been made clear. Picture: Getty
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6. What is Anne-Marie's real name?
'Ciao Adios' and 'Alarm' singer Anne-Marie only dropped her surname for her stage name. Picture: Getty
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7. What is Sia's real name?
Not only has Sia hidden her face from her stage persona, she also dropped her surname of Furler. Picture: Getty
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8. What is Rag'N'Bone Man's real name?
Double BRIT Award winner Rag'N'Bone Man is actually called Rory Graham. He originally went by "Rag 'N' Bonez" when he was 15 as part of a drum and bass crew, which apparently was inspired by the 1970s sitcom Steptoe And Son. Picture: Getty
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9. What is Dua Lipa's real name?
Believe it or not, Dua Lipa is actually the 'Future Nostalgia' singer's real name. Picture: Getty
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10. What is Calvin Harris' real name?
Calvin Harris' real name is Adam Richard Wiles. He was born on 7th January 1984 in Dumfries, Scotland. He explained the change of name came from wanting to sound "racially ambiguous" as his early music was more soulful. Picture: PA
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11. What is Drake's real name?
Drake's real name is Aubrey Drake Graham. He was born on 24th October 1986 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Picture: PA
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12. What is Bruno Mars' real name?
Bruno Mars' real name is Peter Gene Hernandez. He was born on 8th October 1985 in Honolulu, Hawaii. At age two, he was nicknamed Bruno by his father because of his resemblance to the wrestler Bruno Sammartino. Picture: PA
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13. What is Martin Garrix's real name?
You didn't think Garrix was his real surname did you? The Dutch DJ has a much more traditional full name - Martijn Garritsen. Picture: PA
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14. What is Tinie Tempah's real name?
Tinie Tempah's real name is Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu. He was born on 7th November 1988 in Plumstead, London. It was down to a thesaurus that Tinie came up with his stage name after he was looking for an alternative to "angry". Tinie Irate just doesn't have the same ring really does it? Picture: PA
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15. What is Avicii's real name?
Avicii's real name is Tim Bergling. He was born on 8th September 1989 in Stockholm, Sweden. After deciding on the DJ name Avici a friend told him it was a level of Buddhist Hell. He was forced to add the extra 'i' as someone already had the name taken on MySpace. Picture: PA
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16. What is Katy Perry's real name?
Katy Perry's real name is Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson. She was born on 25th October 1984 in Santa Barbara, California. She changed her name to Perry because she thought Hudson would sound too similar to the actress Kate Hudson and Perry is her mother's maiden name. Picture: PA
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17. What is Rihanna's real name?
Rihanna's real name is Robyn Fenty. She was born on 26th February 1988 in Saint Michael Parish, Barbados. Picture: PA
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18. What is Pitbull's real name?
Pitbull's real name is Armando Perez. He was born on 15th January 1981 in Miami, Florida. His name is based on the dog breed because "they bite to lock. The dog is too stupid to lose." Picture: PA
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19. What is Jason Derulo's real name?
You might be used to screaming his name as "Jason Derulooooo", but his surname ACTUALLY look a little more French than you're used to. His birth name is Jason Joel Desrouleaux. Picture: PA
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20. What is Usher's real name?
Usher Terry Raymond IV was born on 14th October, 1978 in Dallas, Texas. Picture: PA
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21. What is David Guetta's real name?
Our favourite French DJ has a sneaky first name you might not know about! His full name is actually Pierre David Guetta. Picture: PA
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22. What is Lady Gaga's real name?
Lady Gaga's real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. She was born on 28th March 1986. Her friends gave her the pen name Gaga - a lyric from the Queen song 'Radio Gaga' - one of her strong influences. Picture: PA
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23. What is Tori Kelly's real name?
Tori was born Victoria Loren Kelly. Picture: PA
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24. What is Nicki Minaj's real name?
Nicki Minaj's real name is Onika Tanya Maraj. She was born on 8th December 1982 in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago. She initially adopted the pseudonym "Nicki Maraj" before eventually settling on Minaj. Picture: PA
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25. What is Demi Lovato's real name?
Demi just shortened her birth name of Demetria for her professional moniker of Demi Lovato. Picture: PA
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26. What is Jay Z's real name?
Jay-Z's real name is Shawn Corey Carter. He was born on 4th December 1969 in Brooklyn, New York. When he was younger he was known as "Jazzy". He later changed his rap moniker to Jay-Z to salute his mentor rapper and producer, Jaz-O, and the subway lines of his hometown of Brooklyn. Picture: PA
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27. What is Will.i.am's real name?
Will.i.am's real name is William Adams. He was born on 15th March 1975. Picture: PA
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28. What is Kygo's real name?
The Norwegian producer responsible for 'Firestone' as actually called Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll. Picture: PA
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29. What is Eminem's real name?
Eminem's real name is Marshall Mathers II. He was born on 17th October 1972 in St. Joseph, Missouri. The name derives from the initials of his real name. Picture: PA
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30. What is Flo Rida's real name?
Flo Rida's real name is Tramar Dillard. He was born on 16th September 1979 in Carol City, Florida and got his name by breaking down the name of his home state. Picture: PA
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31. What is Rita Ora's real name?
Rita Sahatçiu Ora might be taking over the UK music scene, but she was actually born in Yugoslavia. Picture: PA
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32. What is Miley Cyrus' real name?
Yes, she legally changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus her birth name was actually Destiny Hope Cyrus. Picture: PA
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33. What is Jamie Foxx's real name?
He's made music with Kanye West, justin Timberlake and Drake, but most people don't realise that Jamie Foxx's real name is actually Eric Marlon Bishop! We wonder which name is written on his Oscar? Picture: Getty
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34. What is Cheryl's real name?
The Girls Aloud singer was born on 30th June 1983 as Cheryl Ann Tweedy. The star's name changed to Cheryl Cole after her marriage to footballer Ashley, and then again to Cheryl Fernandez-Versini after her marriage to French restauranteur Jean-Bernard in 2014, before going by just 'Cheryl' after their split. Picture: PA
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35. What is OMI's real name?
The 'Cheerleader' superstar was born Omar Samuel Pasley in Jamaica. Picture: PA
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36. What is Jessie J's real name?
Jessie J's real name is Jessica Cornish. She was born on 27th March 1988 in Chadwell Heath, London. She's previously told interviewers that the 'J' stood for jazzhands" - a reference to her BRIT school days. Picture: PA
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37. What is Macklemore's real name?
Macklemore's real name is Ben Haggerty. He was born on 19th June 1986 in Seattle, Washington. He got his stage name after friends started calling him Professor Macklemore due to the type of attire he would wear. He later dropped the professor and the rest was history. Picture: PA
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38. What is Kesha's real name?
Yep, Kesha is the stars real name but we reckon it makes a pretty great stage name too! Picture: PA
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39. What is Pink's real name?
Pink's real name is Alecia Beth Moore. She was born on 8th September 1979 in Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Sources indicate the singer's name derived from the film Reservoir Dogs in reference to the character Mr. Pink. Picture: PA
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40. What is Tyga's real name?
Californian rapper Tyga is actually called Micheal Ray Stevenson. Picture: PA
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41. What is Professor Green's real name?
Picture: PA
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42. What is Cardi B's real name?
You thought Cardi B was an exotic thing to call yourself? Wait until you hear her REAL name of Belcalis Almanzar. Sigh. And now our names sound lame in comparison! Picture: Getty
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43. What is Labrinth's real name?
Labrinth's real name is Timothy McKenzie. he was born on 4th January 1989 in Hackney, London. He got his name from flicking through the dictionary. Picture: PA
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44. What is Fetty Wap's real name?
Fetty shares a name with his grandfather, Willie Maxwell. Picture: PA
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45. What is Stormzy's real name?
Master of British grime, Stormzy, actually goes by the name of Michael Omari in his spare time Picture: Getty
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46. What is DJ Fresh's real name?
DJ Fresh's real name is Daniel Stein. He was born on 11th April 1977 in Worthing, West Sussex. Picture: PA
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47. What is Duke Dumont's real name?
Duke Dumont's real name is Adam Dyment. He was born on 27th August 1982 in Harrow, England. Picture: PA
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48. What is Fuse ODG's real name?
You might be used to shouting "it's Fuuuuuse!", but the 'TINA' rapper's real name is actually Nana Richard Abiona. Picture: PA
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49. What is Pia Mia's real name?
Pia Mia's real name it ACTAULLY Pia Mia! She just dropped her surname, 'Perez', from her stage name. Picture: PA
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50. What is LunchMoney Lewis' real name?
The 'Bills' star's real name is Gamal Lewis, and he's from Miami, Florida. Picture: PA
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51. What is Example's real name?
Example's real name is Elliot John Gleave. He was born on 20th June 1982. His stage name comes from his initials E.G. Picture: PA
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52. What is B.o.B's real name?
B.o.B's real name is Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. He was born on 15th November 1988 in Decatur, Georgia. His stage name is a play on his real name and also a reference to the Outkast song 'B.O.B.(Bombs Over Baghdad)'. Picture: PA
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53. What is Ne-Yo's real name?
Ne-Yo's real name is Shaffer Chimere Smith. The stage name was coined by producer Big D Evans because he claimed the singer sees music like movie character Neo sees The Matrix. Picture: PA
