These Michigan Celebrities Beat Miley to One-Name Fame
I've always been fascinated by celebrities who have become so famous that they only need a single name. Despite carrying her famous dad's last name, Miley Cyrus (daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus) recently announced she's now just Miley, no surname needed. She's not the first, and definitely not the last performer to make this move. In fact, a few stars from Michigan have been going by one name for decades.
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Of course, going by one name only works once your fame has reached a certain level. Imagine if Cher, the famous ex-wife of Detroit-born Sonny Bono, went by her birth name, Cheryl Sarkisian? It doesn't roll off the tongue as easily as just Cher. So, with that in mind, here's a look at Michigan-born or Michigan-raised celebrities who have no need for a last name.
Michigan’s One-Name Celebrity Club
Leading the charge with a single name for a Michigan resident, she was born in Bay City and raised in Pontiac and Rochester Hills, and later attended the University of Michigan before moving to New York. If none of that rings a bell, this will: Madonna Louise Ciccone.
That's right, Madonna, perhaps one of the most famous single-name celebrities has deep roots in the Mitten State.
Eminem Became Detroit’s One-Name Rap Icon
Marshall Mathers was born in Missouri, but he spent his formative years in Warren and Detroit. His career and reputation were built grinding in Detroit's battle-rap scene. When he was 14, he started using the name M&M, which later evolved into the phonetically spelled, one-name artist we know as Eminem.
Lizzo Was Born in Detroit
The truth doesn't hurt for this next entry. Lizzo was born Melissa Viviane Jefferson in Detroit before moving to Houston at age 10, so Michigan gets credit for producing another one-name star. Frankly, that's a single name that feels Good as Hell and gives Michigan even more bragging rights.
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So, Miley, welcome to a club where Michigan already had three seats filled, and last names become excess baggage. Just keep the name in the alphabet; symbols are reserved for natives of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Gallery Credit: Scott Clow