7 #OOTDs for the Week: How to Style a Hat This Season

No matter what the season, a hat is always a good idea. While you’ve probably packed away your beanies, it’s time to bust out that crop of stylish summer toppers that have been hiding out in your closet — think: trilbies, sweet straw numbers and floppy styles. The added sun protection is definitely a plus, but what we really love is how they pull an outfit together (and cover up a bad hair day, of course). Here is a week’s worth of #OOTDs to show you how to style a hat this season.

1. @sloppyelegance: A straw hat is a summer fave, and the perfect companion for a lightweight floral dress or a cheeky denim onesie. We love the slightly structured feel of Chelsea’s straw style with the navy ribbon and wider brim adding a classy, feminine vibe to the tried-and-true chapeau. (via @sloppyelegance)

2. @littleblackboots: Make your favorite topper go the extra mile by switching things up with unexpected add-ons. This flower crown and fedora combo is straight-up genius. Pair it with a pretty boho dress, and you’ve got a seriously on-point ensemble. (via @littleblackboots)

3. @elodieinparis: A colorful hat can make the rest of your outfit pop, especially if it boasts a similar hue. Elodie’s printed pink pants are made even more eye-catching thanks to the addition of a neon fedora. Want to draw the eye upward? Choose a style that isn’t just bright, but big and bold too. (via @elodieinparis)

4. @natalie_dressed: With so many fab floppy styles and chic fedoras to choose from, the good old baseball cap often gets overlooked. Despite the lack of hype, nothing beats this American classic when you need a little extra shade. Wear it with unexpected pieces like a leather jacket or flirty summer dress for a touch of tomboy cool. (via @natalie_dressed)

5. @rantiinreview: A popular menswear style back in the ’60s, a trilby is a fitting finishing touch for Ranti’s borrowed-from-the-boys getup. (via @rantiinreview)

6. @carolinaengman: Who ever thought an old fisherman’s hat could look this good? Sometimes it’s just the element of surprise that makes an unlikely accessory work, and that’s just what Carolina’s chic, ladylike ensemble does for this hat. (via @carolinaengman)

7. @margoandme: Nothing says glam goddess quite like a wide-brimmed floppy hat. Whether your style is retro chic, Coachella babe or timeless and classic, pair them with stylish, oversized sunnies (which you can later whip off with dramatic effect — it’ll be great, promise) and stacked baubles to take your look to the next level. (via @margoandme)

What Insta style stars do you follow? Do you do an #ootd on the regular? Tell us in the comments below, and be sure to tag your pics with @britandco for a chance to be featured in next week’s post.

Some outfit combos are effortlessly chic, and others, well, look like your closet had a full-blown identity crisis. Now don’t get me wrong – I am all for playing with “unconventional” outfit pairings. Ignoring fashion faux pas and experimenting with varying textures, patterns, colors, and silhouettes can be very fun, but only as long as it works. These 6 “weird” outfit combos, however, do not.

Avoid throwing off your whole look by taking note of these 6 “weird” outfit combos that just look wrong.

1. Flare Jeans + Sneakers

Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch High Rise Vintage Flare Jeans

This is one outfit combo I wholeheartedly believe should be worn separately: flare jeans + sneakers.

New Balance

New Balance 530 Sneakers

Pairing flare jeans with sneakers (especially more technical or athletic styles) truly ruins the whole ‘fit. While flare jeans are definitely more retro, sneakers have a modern feel that easily clashes. Plus, you don’t want to add more bulkiness at your ankles and make your look, well, look sloppy.

Free People

We The Free Good Luck Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans

Instead, save your flare jeans to wear with heels or tall boots, and rock your fave walking sneaks with trendier jean styles like mom jeans or barrel jeans.

2. Socks + Sandals

Doublesoul

Doublesoul Bekah High Socks

If you know, you know. Socks and sandals can be super cool, but only really when you’re kickin’ it at the campsite. Otherwise, it can make your outfit look conflicting, because while sandals are meant to be breathable, socks add an unnecessary layer of bulk that fully defeats their purpose.

3. Denim + Denim

Anthropologie

Mother The Loop De Loop Denim Jacket

Hear me out: denim on denim can definitely be done in a very stylish way. I love rocking a Canadian tux every once in a while, but only when I know for sure that the washes of denim I’m wearing are matching!

Urban Outfitters

BDG Shelly Boxy Denim Chore Jacket

If the shades of denim you’re wearing don’t match or complement each other, your ‘fit can really lack balance, and people won't be able to tell whether you’re wearing it confidently or ironically.

4. Turtlenecks + Shorts

Quince

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Turtleneck Sweater

This “weird” outfit combo is weather confusion at its finest. While turtlenecks give off a cozy, cold-weather vibe, shorts scream summertime. This extreme contrast can make your look very bare-bones and generally odd.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Sloane Tailored Shorts

If you really want to wear these pieces together, opt for a lightweight turtleneck top to wear with tailored shorts for warmer weather – the less-bulky layers will make more sense together. Plus, you’ll be more polished.

5. Tights + Jorts

Target

A New Day Viney Floral Tights

This throwback look has not aged well – though we used to see a ton of people wearing tights or leggings underneath their jean shorts in the early 2010s, it just looks tacky nowadays.

Free People

We The Free Tippi Denim Shorts

The combo can often look outdated and overly layered, as if you couldn't commit to wearing just shorts or just tights. It’s just confusing – opt to wear one or the other!

6. Flip Flops + Cargo Pants

Target

Shade & Shore Palmer Square Toe Flip Flops

It’s giving Justice and Limited Too vibes… but those stores are in our past for a reason! Flip flops and cargo pants also boast a sense of confusion because while flip flops are inherently laidback and beachy, cargo pants are bulky and often made to be more functional (something flip flops are totally not).

Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Baggy Cargo Pull-On Pants

Since cargo pants take up more room on your silhouette, they can also highlight an obvious imbalance if you’re wearing low-profile flip flops.

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If you're a loyal fan of Yellowstone and its gripping mix of drama, family dynamics, and Western grit, then you're probably familiar with the genius behind the show: Taylor Sheridan.

As both a writer and director with a ranching background, he's perfected a unique style that blends heart-pounding action with complex characters.

But while Yellowstone has undoubtedly made its mark on television, Taylor's talents extend beyond the small screen. If you can't get enough of his storytelling, here are six Taylor Sheridan films you need to check out.

Scroll to see which Taylor Sheridan movies you should watch if you love YellowstoneASAP!

Lionsgate

1. Sicario (2015)

Sicario is one of Taylor Sheridand's standout works. This crime thriller features FBI agent Kate Macer, played by Emily Blunt, as she's selected for a top-secret task force to win the war on drugs. She goes to the United States-Mexico border to tackle the cartel, working alongside a team of shadowy operatives.

Much like Yellowstone, Sicario, directed by Denis Villeneuve, thrives on suspense, intense violence, and morally complex characters.

CBS Films

2. Hell or High Water (2016)

If you're looking for a Sheridan film that most closely mirrors the world of Yellowstone, this movie might be the answer.

Hell or High Water is a neo-Western that follows Toby, a father struggling to save his family's ranch from foreclosure, who teams up with his ex-convict brother to rob banks in a desperate attempt to keep their land.

It blends classic Western themes with modern drama and explores deep family bonds amidst the harsh realities of financial hardship.

Acacia Filmed Entertainment

3. Wind River (2017)

Taylor Sheridan both wrote and directed Wind River, which features Cory Lamber (Jeremy Renner), a wildlife officer, and FBI agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) as they investigate the murder of a young woman on a Native American reservation.

This film marked his directorial debut and showed off his skill in blending suspense with themes of prejudice, Native American struggles, and the violence of the American West.

Lionsgate

4. Sicario: Day Of The Soldado (2018)

In this follow-up to the original Sicario, agents Matt Graver and Alejandro Gillick return to the United States-Mexico border when the cartel starts smuggling terrorists into the U.S. The situation escalates when the agents kidnap the kingpin's daughter as leverage.

This sequel definitely didn't receive the same love as its predecessor, but Sicario: Day Of The Soldado is still a strong Saturday night movie pick for people who love storylines and character types like those in Yellowstone.

New Line Cinema

5. Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)

Those Who Wish Me Dead follows Connor, a boy who's on the run from two hitmen during a wildfire. He teams up with a female smokejumper, trying to contain the flames as the killers pursue them.

This action-packed thriller has some of the same rural charm that fans love about Yellowstone, but presents a totally different narrative. It's tense, rated R, and stars Finn Little, Angelina Jolie, and Jake Weber, just to name a few.

Paramount+

6. Finestkind (2023)

Last but not least, Finestkind is based on two brothers from opposite sides of the tracks who reunite during adulthood in Boston. As they grapple with personal struggles, they turn to an organized crime syndicate for help and end up in a risky situation.

Given its urban setting and different character types, this movie might not seem anything like Yellowstone. Nonetheless, it shares key themes of family and moral conflict. Oh, and did we mention Jenna Ortega's (Wednesday, You) in it?!

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Each time I think there's no more room in my closet, I always make an exception for H&M's new arrivals. I think I should send a "cease and desist" letter to their corporate offices because I've already added 10+ pieces from their spring drop to my cart. It's like I can't get enough of their elevated denim and leopard pieces. Oh, and don't get me started on the cute cardigans they have! See? I can't stop myself!

Scroll to see the adorable H&M spring finds that have me ready to pack up my winter clothes!

H&M

Textured Knit Cardigan

I love cute or quirky cardigansfor two reasons: they're low-maintenance and add pops of color to an otherwise basic outfit. This striped piece is on my radar because it can be worn with the plainest white t-shirt and a pair of slightly oversized cargos for the cutest transitional outfit.

H&M

Cardigan With Defined Waist

What do you wear when you're having a "quiet luxury" day? This cream cardigan!

It has a defined waist that'll help it fit beautifully over a pair of wide-leg or skinny jeans, but that's not all! You can add a button-up shirt underneath it if you want to add a preppy element to your outfit.

H&M

Embroidered Blouse With Peter Pan Collar

Peter Pan's collar has nothing on H&M's embroidered blouse. It almost feels like it should belong in the Victorian age, but that's not a bad thing! Create a modern silhouette by wearing a pair of low-rise jeans and loafers.

H&M

Patterned Linen Shirt

The only reason I'm drawn to this linen shirt has everything to do with the blue floral pattern. It'll make you and I look like we're honoring our grandmother's expensive dining plates. Who knows, maybe your nana will want to have her own shirt so the two of you can match.

H&M

Textured Jersey Vest

Guess what's not outdated? Cute jersey vests that add a touch of elegance to whatever you're wearing. You could be wearing the most distressed pair of jeans you own, but wearing this textured piece over them along with a pair of mesh flats will make it seem like you're familiar with The White Lotus lifestyle.

H&M

Gathered Off-The-Shoulder Top

No, it won't be weird if you wear H&M's red striped cardigan with this off-the-shoulder top! The more color, the merrier IMO! Then again, you don't have to wear anything with this because the bardot affect will show off your beautiful shoulders or the cute tattoo you just got on your collarbone.

H&M

Feather Soft Oversized Denim Shirt

I'm a firm believer that everyone needs at least one oversized denim shirt in their closet. They're an essential piece that can add a casual flair to your look because you can wear it over a thinner top or you can proudly wear a denim-on-denim OOTD!

H&M

Leopard V-Neck Blouse

Yes, I'm still drawn to leopard print even though winter's almost over. Depending on your preference, I think it can be worn as a neutral or statement piece. Since I'm heavy on wearing denim during spring and summer, I can personally see myself wearing this blouse with longline Bermuda shorts and cute mules.

H&M

Printed Sweatshirt

Everyone also needs a cute printed sweatshirt they reach for when their first errand of the day involves a doctor's or dentist's appointment. Being cozy doesn't have to be reserved for winter so don't be afraid to embrace that energy during other seasons!

H&M

Lace-Trimmed Ribbed T-Shirt

I don't have a fancy sound byte for this t-shirt aside from stating the obvious — it's pink and it's needed if neutral colors dominated your winter wardrobe. My goal is to embrace the cutesy and demure vibes of dressing even though life seems like it's on fire.

H&M

Wide-Leg Linen-Blend Pants

Linen-blend pants are the key to look put together without feeling like you're going to be held hostage by material that makes you sweat during spring. Nothing will derail your mood quicker than wearing a cute outfit that makes you uncomfortable.

H&M

Baggy High Jeans

If you're rebelling against the idea skinny jeans are trendy again, let's be friends! On a serious note, these baggy jeans look like they have the perfect fit for anyone's frame so they're in my cart.

H&M

High-Waist Knee-Length Denim Shorts

Did you know you can make denim shorts look stylish as opposed to your former middle school "skater" days? Picture yourself wearing these with a matching denim shirt and a pair of cute heels. No one will be able to resist your "it girl" factor when they see you out and about.

H&M

Denim Bermuda Shorts

Spice things up with these dark leopard print shorts for a spring look that'll get anyone's attention. Half of the stares you get will be from people who are wondering where you bought them from while the other probing eyes will want to know more about you.

That's the power of patterned shorts that aren't interested in being "mini."

H&M

Button-Front Dress

I haven't thought about where I'd wear this yet, but I know that I'd gladly button it up. Between the color and gold hardware, I can't get enough of the contrast on this gorgeous dress.

H&M

One-Shoulder Bodycon Dress

I think H&M just released the perfect solo datedress. Though I'd gladly wear this to dinner with my fiancé, you can wear it if you plan to stop by a bar you know your crush likes to visit. They won't be able to take their eyes off you once they see you in it.

H&M

Pintuck-Detail Dress With Flared Skirt

I automatically thought about summer when I first say this dress, but that doesn't mean it's inappropriate for spring! It has a little cut-out action in the back which makes it great for one of those subtle flirting moments.

H&M

Flounced Chiffon Dress

The '70s is having a moment again because this cute Woodstock-esque dress looks like something a flower child would gladly wear. Seriously, it's a great option if you plan to attend a couple of festivals soon!

H&M

Embellished Mules

Who wants embellished mules to dress up their worn sweatsuits and distressed jeans? I do because they're a great statement piece when you're keeping the rest of the your life as

H&M

Mesh Mary Jane Flats

These Mary Janes are sitting in my cart as I type this because they're one of the highlights of H&M's spring arrivals! I mean, who doesn't want a pair of mesh flats that feel comfortable on your feet?

H&M

Fuzzy Leather Flats

Not a fan of mesh or braided flats? Go for a fuzzier leather option! These scream "I'm the rich auntie" and I personally love that for us!

P.S. Wear these with an oversized denim shirt and H&M's denim Bermuda shorts!

H&M

Snake Print Ballet Flats

Remember when ballet flats used to have the ruched option to make it easier to put them on? I know you're tired of the back of shoes rubbing against the back of foot, so I recommend adding these to your cart ASAP!

H&M

Sneakers

You don't have to spend over $50 to have a cute pair of sneakers that go with almost everything you own. All you need is this pair from H&M and you'll have the answer to your casual outfits' prayers.

H&M

Small Crossbody Bag

Small crossbody bags may not hold your entire life, but you'll be able to fit the important things that matter in this one. From your cellphone to your debit card, you'll have everything you need in something that works with the rest of H&M's spring arrivals!

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Bridgerton season 4 might not be coming until 2026, but thanks to a special first look, we have just enough to tide us over (although, is there really ever enough to tide us over? I need full episodes STAT!!). In honor of her new movie Picture This (on Prime Video now), Simone Ashley talked about returning for Bridgerton season 4 — and teased a special reunion I can't wait for.

Here's what Simone Ashley said about Picture This and Bridgerton season 4 in Brit + Co's exclusive interview.

Simone Ashley says 'Bridgerton' season 4 "feels like home."

We already had confirmation that Simone Ashley would return to Bridgerton season 4 as Kate Sharma, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to ask if she could tease what's in store for viewers. "I can't tease anything, but I can say I was filming a couple of weeks ago, with the girls," she tells Brit + Co. "I'm super excited to be back on the show. I'm so grateful for everything that that show has given me, and whenever I go back it, it just feels like home."

Okay, Simone might have said she couldn't tease anything but if you ask me "filming with the girls" is a tease in and of itself! I'm hoping we see Kate, Eloise, and Penelope get some serious girl time after all the drama during season 3. Kate was able to give Eloise some beautiful advice, and since season 4 focuses on Benedict's love story, I have my fingers crossed it'll be more or less smooth sailing for our favorite ladies.


Simone Ashley's character in Picture This, a portrait photographer named Pia, reminds me a lot of Kate. She's passionate, driven, and an eldest daughter who's constantly being told time is running out. When I ask Simone what she's excited about for the future, she admits she feels a mixture of anticipation and nerves.

"Yeah, I'm excited. And I'm gonna phrase it this way because I think excited is such a positive word and it's an amazing thing, but I think excited-scared is also a positive word," she says. "I'm excited-scared because so much mystery and change and possibilities that could happen in the future, right, that we don't know about."

However, she says that growing up and accepting the curve balls life throws at you is "like taking that jump for change."

"It's excited-scared, and then it's like when you jump into water and then you realize the water temperature's fine."

I couldn't agree more, Simone.

See Simone Ashley in Picture This, streaming on Prime Video now, and stay tuned for the latest Kate Sharma & Bridgerton season 4 updates! While you're waiting, go ahead and Meet The Bridgerton Season 4 Cast.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

It’s pretty common for celebrities to go by a stage name or a different moniker entirely when they’re trying to break into showbiz. Take musicians for example. Before the world knew her as Rihanna, everyone in her life simply knew as Robyn Rihanna Fenty. And the same goes for actors as well. Did you know that The Office alum Mindy Kaling was born Vera Mindy Chokalingam?(Yeah, I was today years old when I learned that.) Even certain members of the British royal family have chosen not to go by their first name, given their high profile status. What if I told you Kate Middleton’s full name is Catherine Elizabeth Middleton? I know right, shocker!

Keep reading to learn more about the 22 celebrities who don’t actually go by their real name — and the reason why.

1. Emma Stone

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Real Name: Emily Jean Stone

Back when Easy A alum Emma Stone was trying to break into the industry as an actress, she chose to go by a different name because there was already a person with the same moniker in the SAG.

So, in a 2017 interview with W Magazine, the Poor Things star shared that she wanted to go by Emily J. Stone, but decided against it. “So to ask a 16-year-old to pick a new name is really an interesting process, because I was like, ‘I’m going to be Riley’... And so my name was Riley Stone for about six months,” she told the publication at the time. “I changed it to Emma because you know it’s closer to Emily, but most people call me ‘M,’ that know me well.” Honestly, I think you could've pulled off the J, Emma.

2. Lady Gaga

Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Real Name: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta

Turns out, the Bad Romance singer wasn’t gaga for her real name when she decided to break into Hollywood. Before entering the music industry, Germanotta chose her stage name “Lady Gaga” after she was apparently inspired by the 1984 Queen single “Radio Gaga.” Huh, who would’ve thought?

3. The Weeknd

Wagner Meier/Getty Images for Live Nation

Real Name: Abel Makkonen Tesfaye

Years before the world knew him as “The Weeknd,” Tesfaye chose his professional name when he left home at a young age. During a Reddit Ask Me Anything segment, the singer revealed, "I left home when I was about 17 dropped out of high school and convinced [my friend] Lamar to do the same.”

He continued, “We grabbed our mattresses from our parents threw it in our friends sh—ty van and left one weekend and never came back home. It was gonna be the title of HOB [House of Balloons]. I hated my name at the time though so I tried it as a stage name. It sounded cool. I took out the “e” because there was already a Canadian band named the weekend (copyright issues).”

4. Gigi Hadid

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Real Name: Jelena Hadid

In case you didn’t know, the proud mom went by “Gigi” early on in her childhood. (FYI: Gigi was also her mom’s childhood nickname too.) But in a 2015 interview with Vogue, Hadid shared that everyone started calling her “Gigi” once she started grad school.

“In first or second grade, there was a girl named Helena and it got confusing with the teacher who had to call out our names, and so the teacher asked my mom, ‘If I needed to call Jelena a nickname, what would it be?’ And my mom was like, ‘I call her Gigi sometimes,’ and the name stuck,” the supermodel explained at the time.

5. Millie Bobby Brown

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Real Name: Millie Bonnie Brown (Bongiovi ;))

Millie Bobby Brown revealed in a The Electric State interview that her name is actually Millie Bonnie Brown, and that she created the stage name for "sh—ts and giggles."

"It's not Bobby," she says. "It's Millie Bonnie Brown...I've never told anyone that."

6. Brad Pitt

Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images

Real Name: William Bradley Pitt

Apparently, Brad Pitt is another celebrity who likes going by his middle name. But, according to Page Six, the longtime actor actually prefers introducing himself by his first name when he’s flirting with women.

7. Marilyn Monroe

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Real Name: Norma Jeane Mortenson

We're throwing it back with this celebrity name! Fun fact: Mortenson took the name Dougherty after her first marriage. But how did she come up with the name we're all so familiar with? Per Time, the beloved actress chose to say goodbye to her last name after a 20th Century Fox studio executive thought that there would be too many mispronunciations with her last name. So, she decided to drop her last name in exchange for her mom’s maiden name: Monroe. In addition, the exec gave her the name “Marilyn” because she reminded him of a 1920s Broadway star named Marilyn Miller.

8. Natalie Portman

Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

Real Name: Neta-Lee Hershlag

Originally, Portman was given a traditional Hebrew name before immigrating to the United States in 1984, where her family changed their surname to Portman. Then, the actress’s first name, Neta-Lee (which was her maternal grandmother’s maiden name) later became Natalie.

9. ​Cardi B

Catherine Powell/Getty Images for MTV

Real Name: Belcalis Almanzar

Though everyone knows her as Cardi B, her diehard fans can attest to the fact she was given a different name at birth. Born Belcalis Almanzar, her stage name is actually short for Bacardi (you know, like the rum). While appearing on an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the rapper shared the origin of her pseudonym.

“My sister's name is Hennessy,” the rapper told Fallon. “So everyone used to call me Bacardi, and I started calling myself Bacardi, which eventually was shortened to Cardi B.”

10. Chloe Bennet

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Real Name: Chloe Wong

While promoting her new show Interior Chinatown, Chloe Bennet sat down with Brit + Co and shared why she felt the need to go by a different name than what she was given at birth, which is Chloe Wong. “Early on in my career, my mixed race seemed to be so much more of a thing than I ever understood it as growing up,” the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D alum explained. “I come from a very diverse household and my dad is Chinese. I think I felt more Chinese than what the world perceived me as and that was a weird concept for me.”

The 32-year-old actress went on to share how she changed her surname to Bennet (aka her father’s name) on her resume and she started booking more roles. “I am still not Chloe Bennet. I am Chloe Wong,” she says in the interview.

11. Kit Harington

Amy Sussman/Getty Images for AFI

Real Name: Christopher Catesby Harington

Many of us are taught how to pronounce our given name from a very young age. But for Kit Harington, the Game of Thrones star wasn’t told his first name until he was 11 years old. In a 2014 interview with Glamour, the British actor explained how his parents refrained from telling his real name because “they could see that I wanted to be Kit, but Christopher was a bit of a tradition.”

He continued, "My brother’s name is Jack, but his real name is John. Kit is traditionally an offshoot of Christopher, it’s just not used that often. My middle name is Catesby.”

12. ​Jamie Foxx

Joe Maher/Getty Images

Real Name: Eric Marlon Bishop

Did you know Eric Marlon Bishop chose his stage name “Jamie Foxx” when he first started doing stand up? Back in 2015, Foxx sat down with David Letterman and explained how he tried aiming for a “unisex name” when it came time for him to choose a professional alias.

“I noticed that like 1,000 guys showed up and only three girls, but the three girls would always get a spot,” the singer and actor revealed when recounting the time he signed up for a slot in the standup lineup. “So I went to the list and wrote down a unisex name…Jamie Foxx.” And it looks like the name just stuck.

13. ​Lana Del Ray

Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Real Name: Elizabeth Woolridge Grant

Until the age of 25, Lizzy (aka Elizabeth) Grant reinvented herself and took on a new name when she tried breaking into the music biz—and that’s how Lana Del Rey came to be. According to The Guardian, she not only changed her name, but her entire persona and image. #Iconic

​14. Bruno Mars

Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for Keep Memory Alive

Real Name: Peter Gene Hernandez

Before he caught a grenade for us, the Finesse singer was called Bruno by his family because, when he was a baby, he resembled the professional wrestler Bruno Sammartino. But when it came to his last name, the Hawaiian-born musician thought it would be best to drop it and adopt the Mars surname. “Your last name’s Hernandez, maybe you should do this Latin music, this Spanish music...Enrique's so hot right now,” he jokes in a 2013 interview with GQ.

​15. Demi Moore

Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for Paramount+

Real Name: Demetria Guynes

Long before she starred in The Substance, the longtime actress (born Demetria Guynes) tied the knot with rock star Freddy Moore at the age of 17 and took his last name. Though the marriage ended after four-and-a-half years, she’s been known as Demi Moore ever since.

16. ​John Legend

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Real Name: John Roger Stephens

Tonight’s the night that…you’re going to learn how John Legend got his stage name! In a 2008 interview with MTV News (via People), the EGOT winner shared the story behind how he came up with his professional name. “John Legend is a nickname that some friends started calling me, and it kind of grew into my stage name,” he said at the time. “‘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.”

17. Miley Cyrus

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Real Name: Destiny Hope Cyrus

Don’t worry, Destiny Hope Cyrus can buy herself flowers! As it turns out, the Grammy-award winner’s stage name dates back to her childhood, when her family would call her “Smiley,” which ultimately turned into “Miley.” And the rest is history.

18. Halsey

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Real Name: Ashley Frangipane

Turns out, Halsey’s stage name is not anagram of her first name, Ashley. Back in 2015, the singer sat down with VEVO and revealed that she was inspired by Halsey Street in Brooklyn, where she would spend weekends making music with her friend.

19. Meg Ryan

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Real Name: Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra

Apparently "Meg Ryan Fall" isn't a totally accurate moniker because Meg's real name is Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra! Meg is a common nickname for Margaret, but she got Ryan from her maternal grandmother's maiden name.

20. Nina Dobrev

Francois Durand/Getty Images

Real Name: Nikolina Kamenova Dobreva

Originally born Nikolina in Bulgaria, our favorite Vampire Diaries star (and recent fiancée!) adopted "Nina" for her stage name because she reportedly figured it would be easier for fans to remember.

21. Reese Witherspoon

Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Real Name: Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon

Speaking of Jeane's, did you know Reese Witherspoon's name is actually Laura Jeanne? Yup, according to Vogue, the Legally Blonde star took on her mom’s maiden name early on in her career and the moniker Reese Witherspoon was born. It's also why she only calls Big Little Lies costar Laura Dern "Dern."

22. ​Lucy Hale

Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival

Real Name: Karen Lucille Hale

Lucy Hale has a secret…her full name is Karen Lucille Hale. As it turns out, the Pretty Little Liarsalum decided to ditch her first name and go by the nickname of her middle name: Lucy.

23. Meghan Markle

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Real Name: Rachel Meghan Markle

Before she became the Duchess of Sussex, Markle simply went by her first name: Rachel. But now, she goes by her middle name professionally. Markle is rarely addressed by her first name in public. However, an exception was made in 2018 when The Sun reported that the late Queen Elizabeth II blessed Markle’s marriage with now husband Prince Harry and addressed the duchess by her full name.

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This post has been updated.