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Did you know that Thandie Newton’s real name isn’t Thandie Newton?

The actress’s original name is actually Thandiwe (Melanie Thandiwe Newton to be exact) but after a typo accidentally listed her as Thandie in her very first film credit, she decided to keep it as a stage name. After all, she wouldn’t be the first, and she certainly won’t be the last!

However, she is now reclaiming the original spelling of her name, as that’s the name that was given to her by her parents… and she couldn’t be happier with the decision to do so!

“That’s my name. It’s always been my name. I’m taking back what’s mine,” the 48-year-old Westworld star told Vogue as part of her May cover interview.

At the time of the interview, Thandiwe told Vogue that her original name – given to her by her mother who is from Zimbabwe – was a Shona word, but after publication, took to social media to clarify that the name is actually Zulu…

“Sincerest apologies from me, for error in @BritishVogue. My name ‘Thandiwe’ is Zulu, my Mother’s tribe is Shona,” she wrote on Twitter.

“That’s what happens when you’re separated from your identity for so long, that you forget who you are #ZimbabweanLivesMatter.”

Reclaiming her original name is just one of the steps she is taking to gain more control of her life. Thandiwe also told the fashion mag that she didn’t feel like she was being true to herself in some of her previous acting roles, but that’s all about to change…

“Wherever I position myself now, I don’t want to be part of the problem, I want to be part of the solution,” she added.

“I’m not going to speak your story or say your words if I don’t feel they could’ve come from me.”

We’re glad to see that Thandiwe is taking more control over her professional life – and we absolutely love her original name!