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Daily Mirror
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Iconic comedian set for UK return after 10 years and teases 'truths'
An iconic movie star and comedian from the United States is coming back to the United Kingdom to entertain fans for the first time in almost a decade A huge stateside star is set to return to the UK for the first time in almost a decade. The intimate experience will see a UK audience able to grill the comedian-turned-actress for the first time in nearly 10 years - and they've been told to expect "stories, laughs and truths". Iconic Sister Act actress Whoopi Goldberg, 69, heads back to the UK in September. A release for her two-date tour says: "Audiences are invited to experience an intimate evening with the multi-award-winning actress, author, and producer as she reflects on her extraordinary career and trailblazing journey, delivered with her trademark wit, warmth and razor-sharp candour." It also revealed fans will get a chance to act the star questions in a Q&A segment, calling the experience "a rare and unmissable opportunity to witness a living legend up close". Speaking ahead of the events in London and Cardiff, the host of stateside lunchtime chat show The View said: "I've always loved performing for UK audiences. "I can't wait to take the stage at these two incredible venues and share some stories, some laughs, and maybe even a little truth." As well as her roles on screen, Whoopi is also a bestselling author, producer, successful entrepreneur and noted humanitarian. In recent months, Whoopi's comments on The View have led to a number of controversial moments. And at this year's Oscars, the star was jokingly told to "behave" by her daughter. Whoopi gave Oscar aides a fierce side-eye on the red carpet when told to "move over further to the right". In response her daughter Alex Martin quipped, "I'm bad," prompting Goldberg to humorously retort, "I'm a good girl", according to lip reader NJ Hickling. The playful banter continued with Alex warning, "Hey behave, you're on camera," leading to laughter between the two. And last year some of her followers were only just realising her name is actually her stage name. After decades in the industry, some fans were stunned to realise Whoopi's real name is Caryn Elanie Johnson. In her memoir, Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me, the Oscar winner shared the truth behind her unusual stage name after she had received countless questions about it throughout her long career. She wrote: "Once I started getting parts in plays, I wanted a name that sounded more interesting. Caryn Johnson wasn't it. Some people at the Rep called me Whoopi because I would sometimes let loose with a fart. I added 'Cush-ione' to it, with a French pronunciation. "Then, I got a review written by journalist Welton Jones. It was a good one, so I sent it to my mother. Later, when we talked on the phone, she said, 'What is this Whoopi Cushione?' Her mum suggested changing Cushione to Goldberg to create a 'more substantial name' so she'd be taken more seriously by the industry."


Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Fans in disbelief over Hollywood actor Vin Diesel's real name
Fans have been stunned to learn that Fast & Furious legend Vin Diesel isn't actually called Vin Diesel, with the story of his stage name dating back to his pre-fame years as a New York bouncer Known for his tough guy persona, the very name Vin Diesel conjures up images of an action hero ready for any scenario, whether that be racing cars at top speeds or fighting in intergalactic battles. Many have therefore been stunned to learn that Vin Diesel isn't actually called Vin Diesel at all, having deliberately picked a stage name that would better reflect his super buff public image. Away from the bright lights of the movie studio, however, the 57-year-old Fast & Furious legend goes by a very different moniker. In a 2005 appearance of The Ellen Show, a clip of which has since gone viral, host Ellen DeGeneres pressed Vin on the moniker 'Vin Diesel', which she asserted couldn't "possibly" be the name on his birth certificate. To the amazement of viewers, California-born Vin confessed: "You know what, it's not." He then went on to reveal: "My real name is Mark Vincent." Going on to detail the origins of his famous stage name, Vin explained that it dates back to his time working as a New York City nightclub bouncer. He shared: "I was a bouncer for nine years, and the name stuck. We all had fictitious names just in case we got in trouble or anything." While Vin is of course a shortened version of Vincent, 'Diesel' is a reference to the star's love of working out. Vin continued: "Vin from Vincent. [...]When you're probably built up a little, you say, 'that guy is diesel'." Fans have naturally been baffled by this revelation, with one aghast person tweeting: "Vin Diesel has a real name?" In a humorous nod to Vin's most famous character, another commented: "I think we all know that his REAL name is Dominic Torreto." Of course, Vin is far from the only Hollywood star who has opted to go for a completely different name. Whoopi Goldberg of Sister Act fame was, in fact, born Caryn Elaine Johnson, but wanted something that would stand out a little bit more in the world of showbiz. As Whoopi explained in her 2024 memoir, Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me, the name she is best known for was partially inspired by her tendency for flatulence. She admitted: "Some people at the Rep called me Whoopi because I would sometimes let loose with a fart." Meanwhile, acclaimed Golden Globe winner Jamie Foxx is actually called Eric Marlon Bishop. During a 2024 appearance on Angie Martinez's radio show, the Django Unchained actor divulged how his pick dates back to his early days as a stand-up starting out in LA. He recalled: "I went on as Eric Bishop [and] killed. Standing ovation. I come back the next weekend. You sign your name. I don't get on. Next week, I don't get on again. Come to find out, the comics are running the list. So I could never get on." After trying out another venue, Jamie found he had more success using "unisex names" due to male comics vastly outweighing the number of female comics. The name Jamie Foxx git him booked, and he's stuck with it ever since. Legally Blonde icon Reese Witherspoon is another A-lister who has opted for a different name. Born Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon, Reese ultimately decided on a name that felt more 'Hollywood', as previously reported by Women's Health.