Emma Stone Reveals Early 'Riley' Stage Name Adopted Briefly

Emma Stone, born Emily Stone, revealed that she initially adopted the stage name "Riley Stone" for about six months early in her career due to Screen Actors Guild rules that prevent duplicate names. At 16, she chose Riley because she liked the name, but quickly found it confusing on set, notably during a guest role on "Malcolm in the Middle," where she struggled to recognize when people were calling her. Consequently, she changed her stage name to Emma, which is close to her real name, Emily. Stone has expressed a desire to be called by her real name, especially by fans and colleagues once they get to know her. This story highlights the common practice among actors of adopting stage names for professional reasons, with other celebrities like Gigi Hadid and Joaquin Phoenix also using pseudonyms. Emma Stone has since firmly established herself as a top actress in Hollywood under her chosen stage name.