URGENT UPDATE: John Legend has successfully secured the rights to his stage name from porn producer Johnny Legend, preventing potential trademark disputes. This unexpected negotiation sheds light on the unique origins of the singer’s now-iconic name.
In a recent episode of Amazon’s Word+Music docuseries, the 46-year-old singer recalled how he was initially hesitant to adopt the stage name “Legend.” He reflected on his early days working on College Dropout tracks, saying, “Part of me is saying, ‘How you going to call yourself Legend? You don’t even have a record deal yet.’”
Legend’s journey to claim his name took an intriguing turn when he discovered that a 77-year-old porn producer, who also dabbled in rockabilly music, was already using the name “Johnny Legend.” The possibility of trademark infringement was a real concern. “We had to find Johnny Legend, negotiate with him, cut a mutually exclusive deal stating that he was Johnny Legend, and I was John Legend,” Legend stated.
This deal ensured that neither party would pursue legal action against the other, allowing Legend to forge his musical path without the shadow of trademark issues. “I’m happy to make clear that I kept my side of the agreement. I didn’t produce any porn, didn’t make any rockabilly music pretending to be Johnny Legend,” he added.
Legend signed his first record deal in 2004, marking the beginning of an extraordinary career. Since then, he has achieved remarkable success, earning accolades including an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award, joining an elite group of artists. “It’s kind of surreal. It’s something I never even thought about when I started my career,” he shared with Entertainment Tonight.
In addition to his professional triumphs, Legend’s personal life has flourished. He and model Chrissy Teigen, 40, have been married for over a decade and are proud parents of four children: daughters Luna, 9, and Esti, 2, and sons Miles, 7, and Wren, 2. “We’ve been through it all together,” Legend noted, emphasizing the importance of mutual support in their relationship.
As John Legend continues to build on his legacy, this recent revelation about his name adds an intriguing chapter to his story, highlighting the complexities and unexpected challenges artists face in the industry. Keep an eye on this space for more updates on Legend’s evolving career and personal life.
