Emma Stone has revealed that the name she uses professionally was nearly different, as she initially chose another stage name early in her career. The actress, known for winning two Oscars, shared this story during her appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on October 22 in New York City. This interview coincided with the promotion of her new film Bugonia, which is opening in theaters this weekend.
The Reason Behind Selecting a Stage Name
Born Emily Stone, Emma explained that actors often need unique professional names due to industry rules. She said,
“I actually adopted a stage name for six months,”
Emma said.
“Because the Screen Actors Guild, it’s like a business bureau, you can only have one person with that name. I was 16, and I decided I wanted to be ‘Riley,’ so I was ‘Riley Stone.’”
This necessity led her to pick ‘Riley’ at the start of her acting journey.
Why She Abandoned the Name ‘Riley’
Emma Stone recounted an awkward incident on the set of Malcolm in the Middle that prompted her to rethink her stage name. She recalled,
“I had a guest part on Malcolm in the Middle, and they kept going, ‘Riley,’ ‘Riley,’ and I had no idea who they were talking to. Truly. So I was like, ‘I cannot be Riley.’ It came out of nowhere. I was just like, ‘Cool name. I’ll just be Riley.’”
This confusion made her decide to abandon “Riley” as her professional name.
The Final Choice of the Name Emma
Following this experience, she settled on a name closer to her given name. Emma explained,
“So I then changed it to ‘Emma,’ because it’s close enough to ‘Emily.’”
This decision helped establish her now-famous identity in the entertainment industry.
Significance of This Name Change
The story behind Emma Stone’s stage name highlights the challenges actors face with professional identity in the entertainment business. By selecting a distinctive stage name, she was able to navigate industry rules and create a recognizable persona. As she continues to promote Bugonia, this glimpse into her earlier career choices adds depth to her public image and offers fans a unique perspective on her journey.
