Here’s a look behind the scenes at some of the biggest celebrities, including their real names, backgrounds, and how they rose to fame!
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Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta)
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, professionally known as Lady Gaga, was born on 28 March 1986 in New York City. She is a singer, songwriter and actress who is known for her versatility and grand personality. Lady Gaga gained mainstream recognition through her debut album, The Fame (2008), which featured pop hits such as “Just Dance” and “Poker Face”. Her subsequent albums Born This Way (2011) and Joanne (2016) further established her pop iconography. Aside from music, Lady Gaga has also proven to be an excellent actress, receiving a Golden Globe for American Horror Story: Hotel and critical acclaim for her performance in A Star Is Born (2018), which received an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Elton John (Reginald Kenneth Dwight)
Elton John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947, in Pinner, England) is an English singer, pianist and composer. Elton John, with his lavish stage persona and astonishing talent, has had a career spanning more than 50 years. His commercial success came with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) and the songs Your Song, Rocket Man and Tiny Dancer. A vocal proponent of LGBT rights and HIV/AIDS care, Elton created the Elton John AIDS Foundation. He has won multiple awards, including two Academy Awards, six Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
Miley Cyrus (Destiny Hope Cyrus)
Miley Cyrus (born 23 November 1992) is a singer, songwriter, and actress from Franklin, Tennessee. She made her name playing the lead character in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana (2006–2011), which featured a teenager with an undercover double life as a pop star. As Miley’s style shifted to the grown-up spectrum, new songs such as “Wrecking Ball” and “Party in the U.S.A.” Her albums Bangerz (2013) and Plastic Hearts (2020) are evidence of her progression as a performer, ranging from pop to rock. She has also appeared in movies such as The Last Song (2010) and is an outspoken advocate on social issues such as animal rights and gay rights.
Freddie Mercury (Farrokh Bulsara)
Freddie Mercury, the founding member of the rock band Queen, was born Farrokh Bulsara on 5 September 1946 in Zanzibar. Mercury was also a dynamic performer with a four-octave voice and he wrote several of Queen’s greatest songs such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Someone to Love and We Are the Champions. Freddie pioneered the juxtaposition of drama and rock music. Mercury survived a private HIV/AIDS diagnosis, but his legacy continues, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 for his contributions to music. He died on 24 November 1991, but his legacy remains.
Nicki Minaj (Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty)
Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, known professionally as Nicki Minaj was born December 8, 1982, in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago and grew up in Queens, New York. She became a mainstream sensation with mixtapes such as Playtime Is Over (2007) and her debut album Pink Friday (2010). Minaj, who’s famous for her quick rap delivery, energetic personality and versatility, has released songs such as “Super Bass,” “Anaconda,” and “Starships”. She has also dabbled in acting, appearing in films such as The Other Woman (2014). Minaj is one of the most edgy female rappers of all time who defied the norm and redefined the genre.
Jamie Foxx (Eric Marlon Bishop)
Jamie Foxx is an actor, comedian, singer, and producer. He was born Eric Marlon Bishop on 13 December 1967 in Terrell, Texas. He began as a comedian in the popular television series In Living Color (1991–1994), then moved into film acting, including in Ray (2004), for which he received an Academy Award for Best Actor. His record collection is equally impressive, with records such as Unpredictable (2005) becoming critical and commercial hits. Foxx still does a stellar job on entertainment circuits, appearing in films such as Django Unchained (2012) and Soul (2020) and hosting game shows such as Beat Shazam.
Natalie Portman (Neta-Lee Hershlag)
Natalie Portman, real name Neta-Lee Hershlag(Born on June 9, 1981, in Jerusalem, Israel) is an actress and filmmaker. She made her acting debut as a child in Léon: The Professional (1994), before appearing in major films such as Star Wars. For Black Swan (2010), Portman won an Oscar for Best Actress for playing a struggling ballerina. She has directed films, such as A Tale of Love and Darkness (2015), and is a Harvard psychology graduate. An outspoken defender of women’s rights and environmentalism, Portman continues to be a powerful Hollywood personality.
Emma Stone (Emily Jean Stone)
Emily Jean Stone, also known as Emma Stone was born on November 6, 1988, in Scottsdale, Arizona. With a trademark comedic edge, Stone became known for films such as Superbad (2007), Easy A (2010) and The Help (2011). She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for the musical La La Land (2016). She is also a versatile actress, having appeared in Birdman (2014) and the Spider-Man films. On the outside, Stone is an advocate for mental health awareness and women’s rights.
The Weeknd (Abel Makkonen Tesfaye)
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd was born February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Canada. His mixtape House of Balloons (2011) transformed modern R&B. The Weeknd is known for his dark, ambient vocals and chart-topping records such as Beauty Behind the Madness (2015) and After Hours (2020). Songs such as “Blinding Lights” and “Starboy” have made him a global superstar. In addition to his musical works, he has worked on charities and soundtracks to films and won several Grammys.
Bruno Mars (Peter Gene Hernandez)
Peter Gene Hernandez, better known as Bruno Mars, was born on 8 October 1985 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Marron is known for his retro aesthetic and explosive stage presence. He mashes up pop, R&B, funk and reggae. His best-selling songs include “Just the Way You Are” and “Grenade,” from his debut Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010). His subsequent albums, including 24K Magic (2016), showcased his musical chops, earning him multiple Grammy Awards. Mars is known for his explosive stage presence and work with such acts as Anderson.Paak as part of Silk Sonic.
Whoopi Goldberg (Caryn Elaine Johnson)
Whoopi Goldberg, real name is Caryn Elaine Johnson (born on 13 November 1955 in New York City) is an actress, comedian and television host. She gained recognition with her Oscar-winning turn in The Color Purple (1985) and sparked off another wave with movies such as Ghost (1990), for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Goldberg is one of the few performers to earn an EGOT (an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). A regular host of The View, she also champions human rights and social justice, using her platform to speak on vital topics.
This list just scratches the surface of stars who’ve crafted their identities for a unique, unforgettable presence!
