ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Bizarre reason Calvin Harris changed his name when he was 22-years-old
Home>Entertainment>Celebrity
Published 17:19 2 Mar 2024 GMT

Bizarre reason Calvin Harris changed his name when he was 22-years-old

Calvin Harris isn't actually called Calvin Harris.

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

When I met you in the Summer, your name was Calvin Harris.

As it turns out, the DJ has been using a stage name all this time and none of us knew.

And it seems chart-topping producer - who has worked with the likes of Dua Lipa, Rhianna and The Weeknd - had a very particular reason why he changed his name when he was 22.

Advert

The Scottish songwriter, now 40, says he made an early decision in his career to use a stage name.

He explained back in 2009 why he made the move.

He told the Shortlist: "My first single was more of a soul track, and I thought Calvin Harris sounded a bit more racially ambiguous.

"I thought people might not know if I was black or not. After that, I was stuck with it."

It turns out the DJ has been using a stage name all this time and none of us knew.
David Becker/Getty Images for Spotify

And as for his real name?

The DJ was born as Adam Wiles.

But while fans may only really recognise his stage name, he said his family and friends continued to call him Adam.

He added: "No one calls me Calvin. It's horrible and it's not my name. You might as well be calling me Mr Blobby.

"At the start of my career people were meeting me for the first time and I let it slide. It was sort of a nickname."

But if that wasn't shocking enough, there's more.

Some years back, people watching the Brit Awards were stunned to find out that Harris was, in fact, Scottish.

The hit-maker was at the awards to accept the British producer of the year gong, but people at home couldn't quite get their heads around the fact he was speaking with a Scottish accent.

Ya know, because he's Scottish.

The Scottish songwriter, now 40, says he made an early decision in his career to use a stage name.
BBC

One wrote: "What the f**k, Calvin Harris is Scottish? And such a broad accent. Shook."

Another posted: "Genuinely didn't know Calvin Harris was Scottish."

A third said: "I don't think I've heard Calvin Harris speak and it's really freaked me out."

Others were aware he was Scottish, but taken aback by quite how strong an accent he actually has, with a lot of folks realising they'd never heard him speak before.

One fan said: "Never heard him speak before - was a shock to hear just a strong Scottish accent even though I knew he is from Scotland. Well done on the award."

Featured Image Credit: Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty Images/Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images/1/ST

Topics: Celebrity, Music, UK News

Anish Vij
Anish Vij

Anish is a Journalist at LADbible Group and is a GG2 Young Journalist of the Year 2025. He has a Master's degree in Multimedia Journalism and a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management. Apart from that, his life revolves around the ‘Four F’s’ - family, friends, football and food. Email: [email protected]

X

@Anish_Vij

Recommended reads

Horrifying footage shows moment before US plane strikes pedestrian on runway sucking them into engineKHOU11Alan Brazil explains emotional TalkSPORT absence after 'life-saving' emergency operationAlan Harvey - SNS Group\SNS Group via Getty ImagesEuphoria's explicit 'macrophilia' kink scene involving Sydney Sweeney explainedHBOMichael Jackson's 'secret family' detail disturbing 'games' he allegedly made them play in new sexual abuse claims(60 Minutes)

Advert

Choose your content:

13 mins ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • HBO
    13 mins ago

    Euphoria's explicit 'macrophilia' kink scene involving Sydney Sweeney explained

    Sweeney has said the scene was 'the coolest thing she's ever done'

    Entertainment
  • Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
    2 hours ago

    Dua Lipa suing Samsung for £11 million

    She claims to have had no knowledge of it

    Entertainment
  • (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
    3 hours ago

    Maitland Ward slams Sydney Sweeney's controversial Euphoria storyline following 'full-on insane' episode

    Ward believes Cassie's Euphoria storyline perpetuates the idea that sex workers have 'no moral compass'

    Entertainment
  • HBO
    3 hours ago

    Sydney Sweeney goes topless again in 'full-on insane' Euphoria episode

    Cassie's OnlyFans career is growing at a rapid rate...

    Entertainment
  • Strange reason Calvin Harris changed his name when he was just 22 years old
  • How, when, and where to buy Calvin Harris Hampden Park tickets
  • Rapper Central Cee has converted to Islam and changed his name
  • Missing Brit boy found alive in France after six years explains what he did while captive