Before she became a household name in music, film, and television, Christina Milian was navigating an industry that struggled to place her.
Early on, she entered show business using her birth name, Christina Flores. What followed was a pattern that quickly became impossible to ignore: opportunities stalled before auditions even began.
Speaking recently on the Richer Lives by SoFi podcast, Milian explained that her last name often shaped casting decisions before her talent had a chance to speak for itself.
As an Afro-Cuban performer, she found herself caught between narrow expectations. Roles written for Latina characters didn’t align with how casting directors perceived her appearance, while roles intended for Black women often ended abruptly once her surname came up.
“They didn’t even give me a chance to go into the auditions,” Milian said, describing how doors closed before meetings were ever scheduled.
The turning point came after advice from someone in her circle who had made a similar adjustment. Milian and her family began exploring stage-name options and ultimately landed on Milian—her mother’s maiden name.
The result was immediate and striking. With the same headshots and résumé, she resubmitted her materials to the very same casting offices. “Same picture, same headshot, changed the last name,” she recalled. “We sent it to the same casting directors… and it changed everything.”
According to Milian, work followed almost instantly. She began booking television roles, a shift she credits directly to that single decision. “That pivot actually changed the trajectory of my whole career,” she said.
Her early credits reflect that transition. In 1996, she appeared on Sister, Sister under the name Christina Flores, while the following year she appeared on Smart Guy under the name Christina Milian.
From there, her career steadily expanded across music, film, and television, including her more recent role on Dexter: Original Sin.
While she acknowledges the success that followed, Milian has been candid about the mixed emotions behind the choice. She said the decision wasn’t one she’s proud of, but one she felt was necessary at the time.
Looking at today’s industry, she believes the landscape has improved, with more room for performers whose identities don’t fit outdated boxes.
Now based in France with her husband, Matt Pokora, and their children, Milian reflected that if she were starting out now, changing her name likely wouldn’t be required.