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Los Angeles - As we all know, it takes way more than just the ability to act or sing to make it in Hollywood.
You have to be the total package or possess the 'it' factor that will have fans talking about you.
So, it’s no surprise that many of the celebs that we have learned to love over the years are not really who we think they are.
Check out these 11 celebs that changed or altered their names to match their Hollywood persona:
Sir Elton John
The legendary singer is known as Reginald Kenneth Dwight to his parents.
Meg Ryan
The actress had to somehow make her name a little shorter, we doubt fans would remember who she is if she had stuck with her real name, Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra.
Tina Fey
The funny lady was born as Elizabeth Stamatina Fey.
George Michael
George chose to stick with a name that everyone would be able to pronounce, instead of his ID name, Georgios Panayiotou.
Carmen Electra
Our favourite bombshell did not alter her name to make it sound more pleasing, nope, the busty blond changed her name from Tara Patrick.
Dido
There was no white flag in sight when the singer chose to change her name from Florian Cloud de Bounevialle Armstrong.
Bruno Mars
The singer talked to the moon and it told him to get rid of his real name, Peter Gene Hernandez.
Helen Mirren
No espionage was involved when the dame acquired her new identity. The actress was born Ilyena Lydia Vasilievna Mironov.
Shania Twain
Twain wanted a career in Hollywood and from that moment, changing her name from Eileen Regina Edwards, was best.
Alicia Keys
We guess her name was not hitting all the right notes when she was still known as Alicia Augello Cook.
Courtney Love
The rocker was not feeling the name her parents blessed her with, namely Love Michelle Harrison.
(Photos: Getty Images)
