These Celebrities Don't Actually Use Their Real Names

John Legend

The "All Of Me" singer was born John Roger Stephens, but "Legend" is cited as a nickname that friends started calling him. "Legend' is something that I never would have chosen for myself originally. It grew to the point where more people in my circle would know me by that name than by my real name," he said. 

Katy Perry

Katy Perry claims her stage name came from an adolescent crisis. I created this wonderful character called Katy Perry that I very much am, and can step into all the time, but I created that character out of protection,” the singer said. She was born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, a name that she never liked. 

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The More You Know

  • Kanye West used to work at the Gap.
  • A far cry from her upper-class role on Gossip Girl, Leighton Meester was born in prison; her mother was serving time for smuggling drugs.
  • Before going solo, Britney Spears was in an all-female group called Innosense.
  • Lady Gaga taught herself to play the piano at only four years old!
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Post originally appeared on Upbeat News.