Him, Her, and Them: Artists and Their Alter Egos

Britney Spears, AKA Mona Lisa

Everyone knows Britney Spears, but not too many know about her alter ego Mona Lisa’s brief use. Back in 2004, she released the song Mona Lisa to debut her new identity. She would use the name during her tour that year when she felt like being “bad” and more radical on stage.

Britney Spears performing with a snake on stage

Photo by Kevin Mazur / WireImage / Getty Images

Spears has spoken before about her need to adopt an on-stage persona as a way of combating her shyness. “Performing is a boost to my confidence,” she once said. “I think it’s an escape, because honestly with how shy I really am, I don’t think it’s healthy.” She called it an “alter-ego type thing” in which “something clicks,” and she turns into a different person. “I think it’s kind of a gift to be able to do that.”