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Sydney Morning Herald
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Marilyn Monroe did it, so did Chappell Roan – but what is the point of a stage name?
'A celebrity's name is fundamentally part of who they are. When movies use names like Margot Robbie or Quentin Tarantino, it instantly boosts its perceived value before we even see the trailer. Names carry associations. They've got specific prestige, tones, they set certain expectations.' Loading Much of this star power doesn't come from the name itself, but the persona behind it. However, some believe that to develop such a star persona, one must begin with the right label. For example, singer Alicia Keys changed her surname to represent her love of music. 'Names are an instrument utilised for identity management. They're a form of strategic branding or even intentional rebranding,' Burgess says.'It could allow for a creative rebirth, helping people enter a different area of specialisation and offering them more legitimacy.' Certain names can expose stars to new audiences, says RMIT music industry and pop culture lecturer Kat Nelligan. David Bowie (David Robert Jones) not only used a pseudonym, but also a string of other personas including Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane, all of which allowed different demographics to engage with him on various levels. 'Lady Gaga embodied a male alter ego, Jo Calderone, at the 2011 MTV Music Video Awards,' Nelligan says. 'That persona was a way for Gaga to not only express herself artistically, but to also reach queer audiences. It's a way to explore artistry, and to toy with different identities.' Pseudonyms can also operate as a boundary, she adds. Chappell Roan's name represents her more confident self, and also separates her public and private lives, something the singer has made clear is critical to her. 'In that way, pseudonyms could be tied to mental health and preserving the self,' Nelligan says. Is it just a Hollywood thing? No. Pseudonyms are common in other entertainment industries too, including Bollywood and K-Pop. 'It can be quite common for Bollywood actors trying to crack into a Western market. You start to see some of that colonial influence,' Burgess says. 'Stars may anglicize or simplify names to avoid marginalisation. Or perhaps they just want their name to be more memorable, to stand out on a more global level.' Meanwhile, in the K-Pop realm, Nelligan says adopting a stage name is often part of the transparently commercial process producers and studios go through to create pop stars. Examples include Suga from BTS, whose real name is Min Yoong, and Rosé from Blackpink (Park Chaeyoung). 'K-Pop is an industry built on this idea of a machine. It's curated and very strategic in how a K-Pop star is produced, so it makes sense that pseudonyms are used in that context.' Sean Redmond, associate dean of media, writing and publishing at RMIT, says many female authors used male pen-names during the 19th century due to misogynistic gender norms. 'George Elliot used a male pseudonym because of gender prejudice in publishing, and because she lived an 'unconventional life' – Mary Ann Evans lived with a man, but they weren't married,' Redmond says. Similarly, some male actors used pseudonyms to appear more masculine. 'John Wayne was born Marion Robert Morrison, a name deemed too feminine, or even too Italian, for American viewers. The director Raoul Walsh chose the name Wayne, inspired by revolutionary war hero Mad Anthony Wayne.' Some American-Jewish actors changed their names because of concerns around antisemitism, Redmond adds. For example, Edward G. Robinson's real name was Emanuel Goldenberg, while Kirk Douglas' real name was Issur Danielovitch. Others may even use a pseudonym to protect themselves from the law, such as Banksy, the street artist whose anonymity is a significant part of their appeal. Authentic or phoney? Loading Pseudonyms do not diminish a person's craft, Nelligan says – stage names are often forms of artistic expression. 'People are generally more concerned with whether an entertainer is staying true to their values. Let's say there's an artist who sings about climate change, but then they don't walk that talk. Audiences feel more duped by that … The pseudonym is neither here nor there in that sense. 'The view that a person's real self needs to be embedded in the music or literature is outdated … We still want to trace it to a person, but it doesn't matter if they use a pseudonym.' Although a lack of transparency around a public figure's name can generate engagement and intrigue, Nelligan says it can also leave fans with nowhere to channel that fascination. Burgess agrees, noting some pseudonyms could even appear deceptive. For instance, record producer Dr Luke, who was embroiled in a now-resolved legal battle against Kesha, went by the name Tyson Trax on Doja Cat's 2020 song Say So. 'You might see some negativity there because some people may not have supported the work if they had known he was involved. The name carries a lot of weight,' Burgess says. 'Consumers demand transparency and authenticity, but we also have to remember there are people behind these pseudonyms who obviously want some degree of privacy, and often it's not for sinister or deceptive reasons.'
The Age
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Marilyn Monroe did it, so did Chappell Roan – but what is the point of a stage name?
'A celebrity's name is fundamentally part of who they are. When movies use names like Margot Robbie or Quentin Tarantino, it instantly boosts its perceived value before we even see the trailer. Names carry associations. They've got specific prestige, tones, they set certain expectations.' Loading Much of this star power doesn't come from the name itself, but the persona behind it. However, some believe that to develop such a star persona, one must begin with the right label. For example, singer Alicia Keys changed her surname to represent her love of music. 'Names are an instrument utilised for identity management. They're a form of strategic branding or even intentional rebranding,' Burgess says.'It could allow for a creative rebirth, helping people enter a different area of specialisation and offering them more legitimacy.' Certain names can expose stars to new audiences, says RMIT music industry and pop culture lecturer Kat Nelligan. David Bowie (David Robert Jones) not only used a pseudonym, but also a string of other personas including Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane, all of which allowed different demographics to engage with him on various levels. 'Lady Gaga embodied a male alter ego, Jo Calderone, at the 2011 MTV Music Video Awards,' Nelligan says. 'That persona was a way for Gaga to not only express herself artistically, but to also reach queer audiences. It's a way to explore artistry, and to toy with different identities.' Pseudonyms can also operate as a boundary, she adds. Chappell Roan's name represents her more confident self, and also separates her public and private lives, something the singer has made clear is critical to her. 'In that way, pseudonyms could be tied to mental health and preserving the self,' Nelligan says. Is it just a Hollywood thing? No. Pseudonyms are common in other entertainment industries too, including Bollywood and K-Pop. 'It can be quite common for Bollywood actors trying to crack into a Western market. You start to see some of that colonial influence,' Burgess says. 'Stars may anglicize or simplify names to avoid marginalisation. Or perhaps they just want their name to be more memorable, to stand out on a more global level.' Meanwhile, in the K-Pop realm, Nelligan says adopting a stage name is often part of the transparently commercial process producers and studios go through to create pop stars. Examples include Suga from BTS, whose real name is Min Yoong, and Rosé from Blackpink (Park Chaeyoung). 'K-Pop is an industry built on this idea of a machine. It's curated and very strategic in how a K-Pop star is produced, so it makes sense that pseudonyms are used in that context.' Sean Redmond, associate dean of media, writing and publishing at RMIT, says many female authors used male pen-names during the 19th century due to misogynistic gender norms. 'George Elliot used a male pseudonym because of gender prejudice in publishing, and because she lived an 'unconventional life' – Mary Ann Evans lived with a man, but they weren't married,' Redmond says. Similarly, some male actors used pseudonyms to appear more masculine. 'John Wayne was born Marion Robert Morrison, a name deemed too feminine, or even too Italian, for American viewers. The director Raoul Walsh chose the name Wayne, inspired by revolutionary war hero Mad Anthony Wayne.' Some American-Jewish actors changed their names because of concerns around antisemitism, Redmond adds. For example, Edward G. Robinson's real name was Emanuel Goldenberg, while Kirk Douglas' real name was Issur Danielovitch. Others may even use a pseudonym to protect themselves from the law, such as Banksy, the street artist whose anonymity is a significant part of their appeal. Authentic or phoney? Loading Pseudonyms do not diminish a person's craft, Nelligan says – stage names are often forms of artistic expression. 'People are generally more concerned with whether an entertainer is staying true to their values. Let's say there's an artist who sings about climate change, but then they don't walk that talk. Audiences feel more duped by that … The pseudonym is neither here nor there in that sense. 'The view that a person's real self needs to be embedded in the music or literature is outdated … We still want to trace it to a person, but it doesn't matter if they use a pseudonym.' Although a lack of transparency around a public figure's name can generate engagement and intrigue, Nelligan says it can also leave fans with nowhere to channel that fascination. Burgess agrees, noting some pseudonyms could even appear deceptive. For instance, record producer Dr Luke, who was embroiled in a now-resolved legal battle against Kesha, went by the name Tyson Trax on Doja Cat's 2020 song Say So. 'You might see some negativity there because some people may not have supported the work if they had known he was involved. The name carries a lot of weight,' Burgess says. 'Consumers demand transparency and authenticity, but we also have to remember there are people behind these pseudonyms who obviously want some degree of privacy, and often it's not for sinister or deceptive reasons.'
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sean Diddy Combs trial: Britney Spears' connection revealed before disastrous MTV performance
The trial of American hip-hop mogul Sean Diddy Combs , who is accused of running a sprawling sex trafficking operation, is underway in New York. He was arrested in September last year and faces charges including racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. In a startling revelation, fans have now unearthed pictures of Britney Spears partying with the music mogul the night before the worst performance of her career, reports The Daily Mail. Britney Spears partied all night with Sean 'Diddy' Combs before her disastrous performance at the 2007 MTV Music Video Awards. The pictures of the "Toxic" songstress show her smiling alongside the Bad Boys Records founder at Jet nightclub in Las Vegas on September 7, 2007. Combs' trial began on May 12 after he was initially arrested in September 2024. He has denied all of the allegations against him and pleaded not guilty to all criminal charges. ALSO READ: Poll reveals this group is now the loneliest in the US- inside the shocking 'epidemic'. Here's why Sean Diddy and Britney Spears link? The pop star's name was mentioned during the ongoing trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs, 55, who has pleaded not guilty to allegations of sex trafficking and racketeering that, if convicted, could keep him locked up the rest of his life. Diddy's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura , 38, testified that he invited Spears, now 43, to her 21st birthday celebration at Pure nightclub on September 7, 2007. Diddy and Spears also attended an afterparty thrown by rapper 50 Cent at the since-renamed The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino later in the evening, that extended into the early morning hours of September 8, 2007. Fans are now coming to the terms that less than 24 hours later, Spears took to the stage to perform Gimme More at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards on September 9, 2007. Live Events The photos of the 'Womanizer' hitmaker, now 43, partying with Combs, now 55, were unearthed after Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura name-dropped Spears during Combs' ongoing sex-trafficking 'Me & U' singer, now 38, testified that her relationship with Combs 'sort of' began in September 2007 while celebrating her 21st birthday in Las Vegas. ALSO READ: 'They can't add 2+2': Trump's controversial claims on Harvard students regarding remedial math In her 2023 memoir, 'The Woman in Me,' Spears wrote that 'nothing was going right' before she performed. 'There was a problem with my costume and with my hair extensions,' she wrote. 'I hadn't slept the night before. I was dizzy.' "Sean was there, and he brought Dallas Austin and Britney Spears. Those are the two that really stand out in my memory," Ventura testified in court on May 15. ALSO READ: Tom Cruise net worth: How much money does the 'Mission: Impossible' star currently have? Britney Spears made headlines on September 9, 2007, with her performance of 'Gimme More' at the MTV Video Music Awards. Billed as a highly anticipated comeback, the appearance was met with widespread criticism due to her unsteady choreography and visibly poor lip-syncing. Backstage, Spears also had an unexpected encounter with her ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake, whom she had dated from 1999 to 2002. 'It had been a while since I'd seen him,' she later recalled. 'I couldn't believe I was going to have to go out onstage feeling the way I felt.' At the time, the 'Circus' singer was under intense public scrutiny, following a turbulent period that included her divorce from Kevin Federline and the infamous moment she shaved her head just months prior. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
When Diddy met Britney: Resurfaced pics show the pair partying before Spears' shocking MTV VMAs 2007 performance
Resurfaced photos of Britney Spears show her smiling as she posed alongside Sean 'Diddy' Combs in Las Vegas on September 7, 2007. The 'Toxic' songstress partied with Diddy all night before her disastrous performance at the 2007 MTV Music Video Awards, Page Six reported. Spears joined Diddy, Paris Hilton and 50 Cent at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for another party later that night, hosted by the 'In da Club' rapper. While the party reportedly continued into the early morning of September 8, it is unclear when exactly Spears returned home. Spears and Diddy's photos resurfaced after Diddy's former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, named-dropped the 'Womanizer' hitmaker during Diddy's sex-trafficking and racketeering trial. Ventura revealed that her relationship with Diddy 'sort of' began in September 2007 while celebrating her 21st birthday in Las Vegas. 'Sean was there, and he brought Dallas Austin, Britney Spears. I think those were the two people that stand out to me,' Ventura said in court on May 15. On September 9, 2007, Spears performed her song 'Gimme More' on the stage at the MTV VMAs. While the performance was expected to be her comeback, Spears was blasted for her unimpressive choreography and bad lip-syncing. In Spears' memoir, The Woman in Me, she wrote that 'nothing was going right' before her performance. 'There was a problem with my costume and with my hair extensions,' she wrote. 'I hadn't slept the night before. I was dizzy.' Spears revealed that she had also bumped into her ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake backstage. The two dated from 1999 to 2002. 'It had been a while since I'd seen him,' she wrote. 'I couldn't believe I was going to have to go out onstage feeling the way I felt.' At the time, Spears was also facing widespread criticism after divorcing Kevin Federline. Months before the performance, she had infamously shaved her head.
Sky News AU
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Britney Spears partied all night with Sean ‘Diddy' Combs before disastrous MTV VMAs 2007 performance
Britney Spears partied all night with Sean 'Diddy' Combs before her disastrous performance at the 2007 MTV Music Video Awards. Resurfaced photos of the 'Toxic' songstress show her smiling alongside the Bad Boys Records founder at Jet nightclub in Las Vegas on Sept. 7, 2007. Later that night, Spears joined Combs, Paris Hilton and 50 Cent at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for another party hosted by the 'In da Club' rapper. The bash continued into the early morning of Sept. 8, 2007, though it's unclear what time Spears went home. The photos of the 'Womanizer' hitmaker, now 43, partying with Combs, now 55, were unearthed after Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura name-dropped Spears during Combs' ongoing sex-trafficking trial. (The 'I'll Be Missing You' rapper has denied the charges against him.) The 'Me & U' singer, now 38, testified that her relationship with Combs 'sort of' began in September 2007 while celebrating her 21st birthday in Las Vegas. 'Sean was there, and he brought Dallas Austin, Britney Spears. I think those were the two people that stand out to me,' Ventura said in court on May 15. Spears infamously took the stage at the MTV VMAs on Sept. 9, 2007, to perform her song 'Gimme More.' The performance was expected to be her comeback, but the pop icon faced faced widespread criticism for her lackluster choreography and poor lip-syncing. In her 2023 memoir, 'The Woman in Me,' Spears wrote that 'nothing was going right' before she performed. 'There was a problem with my costume and with my hair extensions,' she wrote. 'I hadn't slept the night before. I was dizzy.' Spears had also bumped into her ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake — whom she dated from 1999 to 2002 — backstage. 'It had been a while since I'd seen him,' she wrote. 'I couldn't believe I was going to have to go out onstage feeling the way I felt.' At the time, the 'Circus' singer was also facing intense public scrutiny after divorcing Kevin Federline and infamously shaving her head months earlier. Originally published as Britney Spears partied all night with Sean 'Diddy' Combs before disastrous MTV VMAs 2007 performance
