They say nothing can come between a girl and her doll, and Brie Larson is living proof of that statement. The Academy Award-winning actress grew so tired of people mispronouncing her original French surname that she eventually adopted a new easier one.
But fans would be shocked to learn the inspiration behind her stage last name, her favorite American Girl doll. Several actors in Hollywood have opted for a memorable and easier-to-pronounce stage name, but none could have a cuter connection than the Elektra actress’s name.
Got a favorite doll? Adopt her surname
Brie Larson was weary of people mispronouncing her authentic French surname, the then-child star grew so frustrated that she adopted an entirely different one. Born as Brianne Sidonie Desaulniers, the actress became known with a much easier-to-pronounce stage name.
In an older interview with Jimmy Fallon, the Room actress spoke about what warranted the change. Referring to her original surname she stated it was difficult for others to pronounce, and for her to witness them butchering it (via Today.com).
My last name is French and very hard to say. I was sick of it, and as a result I’m, like, ‘I’m changing my name!
She once shared a throwback photo on social media that showcased her adorable childhood self holding an American Girl doll. This doll was called Kirsten Larson, which the Captain Marvel star claimed inspired her stage name.
Her last name is Larson…I’m changing it to Larson, so Kirsten can be in our family.
In another interview with Glamour, the Short Term 12 actress mentioned that no one in her family ever called her Brianne, except when she was in trouble. Larson also mentioned that she got her stage surname from her great-grandmother’s family name.
Others in Hollywood who followed the same example
The Marvels actress is not the only star in Tinseltown to change her name before achieving fame, others did it too. Dove Cameron had an emotional reason for changing her name from Chloe Celeste Hoffman and it had to do with the loss of a beloved family member.
The Descendants actress revealed in an interview with StyleWatch that her father never called her Chloe, instead he preferred using her nickname Dove. After he passed away when the actress was still young, she legally changed her name to honor his memories (via PEOPLE).
John Roger Stephens may not be a well-known name but he is a familiar face in the music industry known as John Legend. The All of Me singer confessed the nickname grew on him when his friends repeatedly called him so, prompting him to accept it as his stage name (via Today.com).
The iconic old-school rom-com heroine, Meg Ryan has also been guilty of modifying her given name. Born as Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra, she soon realized her name was a mouthful and instead opted for her grandmother’s maiden name ‘Ryan’ on joining the Screen Actors Guild (via Entertainment Weekly).
The list of celebrities who tweaked their birth names or opted for entirely different stage names is endless, but Larson’s inspiration is perhaps the most adorable. The Primetime Emmy Award-winner may have picked her name from a memorable doll, but she made it even more famous via her hard work.
