The 15 quiz questions
Question 1 : What is Lady Gaga's real name?
Possible answers:
- Angela Martinez
- Christina Romano
- Maria Benedetti
- Stefani Germanotta
Explanation: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, born in 1986 in New York, chose the stage name "Lady Gaga" inspired by Queen's song "Radio Ga Ga".
Question 2 : What name was Rihanna born with?
Possible answers:
- Rachel Johnson
- Rebecca Thompson
- Robyn Fenty
- Roberta Williams
Explanation: Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born in Barbados in 1988. "Rihanna" is actually her middle name, which became her worldwide stage name.
Question 3 : What is Elton John's real name?
Possible answers:
- Richard Davies
- Reginald Dwight
- Eric Jameson
- Edward Johnson
Explanation: Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in 1947, he legally changed his name to Elton Hercules John in 1972, combining first names of members from his former band.
Question 4 : What is Vin Diesel's real name?
Possible answers:
- Vincent Marino
- Victor Davidson
- Mark Sinclair
- Vince Douglas
Explanation: Mark Sinclair Vincent, born in 1967, created his stage name by combining "Vin" (short for Vincent) and "Diesel" (a nickname given by his friends for his energy).
Question 5 : What is Marilyn Monroe's birth name?
Possible answers:
- Norma Jeane Baker
- Martha Mitchell
- Margaret Miller
- Nancy Morrison
Explanation: Norma Jeane Mortenson (later Baker) was born in 1926. She adopted the name "Marilyn Monroe" in 1946, combining an actress's first name and her mother's maiden name.
Question 6 : What is rapper Eminem's real name?
Possible answers:
- Michael Moore
- Marshall Mathers
- Marcus Mitchell
- Matthew Martin
Explanation: Marshall Bruce Mathers III was born in 1972. His stage name "Eminem" comes from his initials M&M (Marshall Mathers), pronounced in English.
Question 7 : What is the real name of U2 singer Bono?
Possible answers:
- Philip Holmes
- Paul Hewson
- Peter Harrison
- Patrick Hughes
Explanation: Paul David Hewson, born in 1960 in Dublin, has had the nickname "Bono" since his teenage years, derived from "Bono Vox" (approximate Latin for "good voice").
Question 8 : What is Whoopi Goldberg's real name?
Possible answers:
- Whitney Green
- Carolyn Gibson
- Caryn Johnson
- Charlotte Grant
Explanation: Caryn Elaine Johnson, born in 1955, adopted "Whoopi" (from the whoopee cushion) because she had frequent flatulence, and "Goldberg" to appear more "Jewish" in Hollywood.
Question 9 : What name was French singer Johnny Hallyday born with?
Possible answers:
- Jacques Dupont
- Jean-Philippe Smet
- Jean-Pierre Martin
- Joseph Duval
Explanation: Jean-Philippe Smet, born in 1943 in Paris, adopted the stage name "Johnny Hallyday" in tribute to his cousin Lee Halliday who raised him.
Question 10 : What is Freddie Mercury's real name, the Queen singer?
Possible answers:
- Frederick Morgan
- Francis Miller
- Farrokh Bulsara
- Fernando Basso
Explanation: Farrokh Bulsara, born in 1946 in Zanzibar to an Indian Parsi family, changed his name to Freddie Mercury when he formed Queen in 1970.
Question 11 : What is rapper Jay-Z's real name?
Possible answers:
- Shawn Carter
- Jerome Williams
- James Cooper
- Samuel Jackson
Explanation: Shawn Corey Carter, born in 1969 in Brooklyn, created "Jay-Z" in reference to the J/Z subway line in New York and his mentor Jaz-O.
Question 12 : What is Natalie Portman's real name?
Possible answers:
- Neta-Lee Hershlag
- Nadia Perez
- Nicole Palmer
- Nancy Peterson
Explanation: Neta-Lee Hershlag, born in 1981 in Jerusalem, adopted her grandmother's name "Portman" to protect her privacy when she started acting as a child.
Question 13 : What name was Bruno Mars born with?
Possible answers:
- Pablo Martinez
- Benjamin Monroe
- Brandon Mitchell
- Peter Hernandez
Explanation: Peter Gene Hernandez, born in 1985 in Hawaii, adopted the nickname "Bruno" given by his father and "Mars" for his "out of this world" charisma.
Question 14 : What is Katy Perry's real name?
Possible answers:
- Katheryn Hudson
- Kristina Palmer
- Kelly Patterson
- Karen Phillips
Explanation: Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, born in 1984, chose "Perry" (her mother's maiden name) to avoid confusion with actress Kate Hudson.
Question 15 : What is actor Michael Caine's real name?
Possible answers:
- Mitchell Crawford
- Martin Collins
- Malcolm Campbell
- Maurice Micklewhite
Explanation: Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, born in 1933, chose "Michael Caine" after seeing a poster for the film "The Caine Mutiny" in a phone booth.
