Following the news that Carmen Electra has filed to legally change her name, fans have taken to social media with a similar reaction.
As previously reported, Carmen, 51, who rose to stardom with iconic performances, particularly in Baywatch, has maintained her stage name throughout her career.
Born Tara Leigh Patrick, she is now seeking to make Carmen Electra her official and legal identity, according to legal documents obtained by TMZ.
Dated December 29, 2023, just days before the New Year, the filing suggests Carmen is poised for a fresh start in 2024.
The court's response to Carmen's request remains unconfirmed at this point. However, given the typically swift and uncomplicated nature of such procedures, she may soon be officially recognized as Carmen.
The name change has taken some people by surprise, as it would appear not many people knew that Carmen Electra wasn't her official name before now.
People have taken to social media to voice their thoughts, with one person saying: "I'm more shocked she'd not already changed her legal name to Carmen Electra and is only doing it now."
A second said: "I thought she did that a long time ago," while a third said: "Wow…I thought [that was] already legally her name."
The origin of Carmen's famous moniker can be traced back to her association with Prince's Paisley Park Records in the early '90s.
Recounting the story on The Yo Show in 2014, she revealed: "I auditioned for an all-girl group that he was putting together, and he ended up signing me to his label Paisley Park. After I danced for him, he said, 'You look like Electra. That should be your name.'"
Initially hesitant about the superhero-esque name, Carmen eventually embraced it, stating: "I thought it sounded kinda like a superhero type of name, which actually it is. So I was hesitant, but it just sorta grew on me, and that's it. I'm Electra now," as reported by Yahoo Entertainment.
Despite two marriages, Carmen has never taken the last name of either husband. Her first marriage was to NBA star Dennis Rodman in 1998, ending in divorce in 1999, followed by her marriage to musician Dave Navarro from 2003 to 2007.
Carmen's illustrious career boasts a Playboy magazine cover, a self-titled debut studio album in 1993, and various television and movie roles. Notably, she made waves as the lifeguard Lani McKenzie in Baywatch in 1997, solidifying her status as a sex symbol.