Celebrities are interesting creatures. Because of their status and fame, we care about the things they do.
We are interested in what they have to say, what they choose to wear, and whether or not they have an Instagram account. And now, with awards season coming up, BlockbustHER films being released weekly, and fall television premieres on the horizon, it seems like there are even more celebrities to keep up with.
So, isn't now as good a time as ever to finally nail the pronunciation of your favorite Hollywood stars' names?
Just imagine: You're out with friends, and someone brings up the relationship status of Drake and Rihanna. "Do you think Rihanna and Drake are really dating?" she asks. Confidently, you slowly turn and look her straight in the eye and respond, "It's actually REE-ANNE-UH." Won't that be wonderful?
These names are hard. Help me help you.
Idina Menzel
Don't pull a John Travolta. Just don't.
It's Eh-DEEN-ah Men-Zell.
Hear it here.
Photographer John Salangsang/BFA/REX/Shutterstock.
Amanda Seyfried
This Mean Girl is probably sick and tired of everyone saying her name wrong. "See" is not the right way.
It's Ah-MAN-duh SIGH-fred.
Hear it here.
Photographer: MediaPunch/REX/Shutterstock.
DJ Khaled
You'd think we would know how to say his name correctly since he says it in literally every single one of his songs.
It's Dee-Jay Kah-LID.
Hear it here.
Photographer Larry Marano/REX/Shutterstock
Saoirse Ronan
This one is a doozy.
It's SEER-sha Ro-nahn.
Hear it here.
Photographer: Carolyn Contino/REX/Shutterstock.
Mindy Kaling
Kaling's real last name is actually a lot more difficult: Chokalingam. She changed it when she started doing stand-up because the emcees could never pronounce it.
It's Min-Dee KAY-Ling.
Hear it here.
Photographer MediaPunch/REX/Shutterstock.
Clea DuVall
It's tempting to call this Veep actress Clee-ah, but that wouldn't be correct.
It's Clay-Uh Do-Vall.
Hear it here.
Photographer Jim Smeal/BEI/REX/Shutterstock.
Rihanna
Do not say the H. Just don't.
It's Ree-ANNE-Uh.
Hear it here.
Photographer Jim Smeal/REX/Shutterstock.
Lupita Nyong'o
This Oscar winner has a name that would make the masters of phonetics give a second glance.
It's Loo-PEE-Tah Nyh-ON-Go.
Hear it here.
Photographer: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.
Jai Courtney
This Australian actor has a simple, yet very confusing name.
It's Ji Court-Knee.
Hear it here.
Photographer Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock.
Famke Janssen
Okay, fam. This is a hard one.
Fam-kuh Yan-ssen? Nope.
Fom-kuh Jan-ssen? Yas.
Hear it here.
Photographer Dave Allocca/StarPix/REX/Shutterstock.
Anna Faris
You totally didn't know you were saying this House Bunny 's name wrong.
It's AH-na Far-Us. Not Ann-ah. Who knew?
Hear it here.
Photographer Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.
Julianne Hough
Don't say Hugh. It's all Huff.
It's Joo-lee-ann HUFF.
Hear it here.
Photographer Kristina Bumphrey/Starpix/REX/Shutterstock.
Mila Kunis
I hope Ashton Kutcher has nailed this pronunciation.
It's Mee-luh Koo-niss.
Hear it here.
Photographer Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.
Chiwetel Ejiofor
The 12 Years a Slave actor beautiful yet tricky name.
It's CHEW-eh-tell EDGE-ee-oh-for.
Hear it here.
Photographer David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock.
Zooey Deschanel
Zoo-ee? Nope. Desh-anel? Nah.
It's Zoh-ee Day-shanel.
Hear it here.
Photographer Stephen Lovekin/Variety/REX/Shutterstock.
Alicia Vikander
Jimmy Kimmel can't pronounce it either.
It's Ah-Lee-See-Yah VIC-and-er.
Hear it here.
Photographer REX/Shutterstock.
Charlize Theron
This one goes against the grain.
It's Char-leez THAIR-own.
Hear it here.
Photographer John Salangsang/BFA/REX/Shutterstock.
Cillian Murphy
It's a self-fulfilling prophecy: Name your kid Cillian, and he'll be the best bad guy.
It's KILL-ian MER-phy.
Hear it here.
Photographer Gregory Pace/REX/Shutterstock
Julianna Margulies
We owe it to The Good Wife to say her name correctly.
It's Joo-Lee-Ahna Mar-goo-leez.
Hear it here.
Photographer Gregory Pace/REX/Shutterstock
Joaquin Phoenix
Pro tip: Pretend the letter J doesn't exist.
It's WAH-keen Fee-nicks.
Hear it here.
Photographer Jim Smeal/BEI/REX/Shutterstock.
Eva Mendes
You remember the story of Adam and Eve? That has nothing to do with her name.
It's Eh-va Men-Dez.
Hear it here.
Photographer MediaPunch/REX/Shutterstock.
Mia Wasikowska
Mia is simple. But that last name? We're gonna need to talk about it.
It's Mee-yuh Vash-ih-kov-ska.
Hear it here.
Photographer Masatoshi Okauchi/REX/Shutterstock.
Maksim Chmerkiovsky
His name is more complicated than his routines on Dancing With the Stars.
It's Mahk-SEEM Ch-mair-KOV-skee.
Hear it here.
Photographer Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.
Rachel Weisz
It is wise to know how to say Weisz. But that's just my advice.
It's Ray-Chel VICE.
Hear it here.
Photographer Dave Allocca/StarPix/REX/Shutterstock.
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