Whoopi Goldberg shares the story behind her famous stage name
8 may 2024 в 19:38
Whitney Goldberg is ready to tell how she got her stage name. In her new memoir titled «Bits and Pieces: My Mom, My Brother, and Me», - The View co-host recalled the moment when she didn’t want to be called by her birth name, Karen Johnson.
«When I started getting roles in plays, I wanted a name that sounded more interesting», - Whitney wrote in her book through Us Weekly. «Karen Johnson didn’t fit».
Working on various stage shows, Whitney said that some people started calling her «Whitney» because «sometimes I passed gas. I added 'Cushone' to it — with a French pronunciation».
When her first review was published, Whitney faced questions from her mother, Emma Harris, about the name change. «When we talked on the phone, she said, 'Who is this Whitney Cushone?'» Whitney recalled. «Well, it’s kind of my nickname. It’s like a fart cushion with a little French accent».
«I explained the whole gas story to her», - Whitney continued in her book. «'Well, if you’re going to change your name and want to be taken seriously, you need a more solid name,' my mother advised me. I said, 'Oh, really, great star namer? What do you think it should sound like?' She said, 'Well, you could take one of the names from the family tree. How about Goldberg? It sounds good.' And that became my name».
«Since then, 'only my family and a few people who knew me in early life still call me Karen.'»
In January 2024, Whitney first announced her new book project dedicated to her late mother and late brother Clyde K. Johnson. «This book is dedicated to my mother and my brother and our time together as a little, funny family», - she told People at the time. «It is dedicated to everyone who has found themselves on a scary path, not choosing it or facing loss».
Whitney’s mother died in 2010 after a stroke. She was 78 years old. Five years later, the actress mourned the death of her brother, who suffered a brain aneurysm at the age of 65.
«This book is dedicated to everyone who is just trying to figure out the little things», - Whitney added, «and also to things where you have to be more than you thought you could be, and it is dedicated to love».
The book «Bits and Pieces: My Mom, My Brother, and Me» is already available
«When I started getting roles in plays, I wanted a name that sounded more interesting», - Whitney wrote in her book through Us Weekly. «Karen Johnson didn’t fit».
Working on various stage shows, Whitney said that some people started calling her «Whitney» because «sometimes I passed gas. I added 'Cushone' to it — with a French pronunciation».
When her first review was published, Whitney faced questions from her mother, Emma Harris, about the name change. «When we talked on the phone, she said, 'Who is this Whitney Cushone?'» Whitney recalled. «Well, it’s kind of my nickname. It’s like a fart cushion with a little French accent».
«I explained the whole gas story to her», - Whitney continued in her book. «'Well, if you’re going to change your name and want to be taken seriously, you need a more solid name,' my mother advised me. I said, 'Oh, really, great star namer? What do you think it should sound like?' She said, 'Well, you could take one of the names from the family tree. How about Goldberg? It sounds good.' And that became my name».
«Since then, 'only my family and a few people who knew me in early life still call me Karen.'»
In January 2024, Whitney first announced her new book project dedicated to her late mother and late brother Clyde K. Johnson. «This book is dedicated to my mother and my brother and our time together as a little, funny family», - she told People at the time. «It is dedicated to everyone who has found themselves on a scary path, not choosing it or facing loss».
Whitney’s mother died in 2010 after a stroke. She was 78 years old. Five years later, the actress mourned the death of her brother, who suffered a brain aneurysm at the age of 65.
«This book is dedicated to everyone who is just trying to figure out the little things», - Whitney added, «and also to things where you have to be more than you thought you could be, and it is dedicated to love».
The book «Bits and Pieces: My Mom, My Brother, and Me» is already available
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
