Rosie O’Donnell’s daughter is choosing a name of her own.
Over two months after the comedian’s adopted daughter Chelsea O’Donnell, 27, filed to legally change her last name to her birth mom’s maiden name, the Emmy winner shared her complex thoughts with a new poem.
“she wishes to change her last name/ to her birth moms maiden name/ doesn’t make sense to me/ I am not her,” Rosie wrote in an April 6 blog post. “its not about me/ i am here for her -/ she’s not here for me/ a wise woman once said.”
The A League of Their Own star—who adopted Chelsea in 1997 with then-partner Kelli Carpenter—also addressed Chelsea’s unique situation of having three moms, including her birth mom Deanna (née Neuens) Micoley.
“she has 3 moms actually/ me kelli and Deanna/ in no particular order,” Rosie continued. “every adoption story is complicated/ nuance and subtext/ a primal wound/ sometimes doesn’t heal.”
While addressing the pain Chelsea—who was arrested in December on multiple felony counts of drug possession and in October for drug offenses and child neglect—has experienced throughout the last few months, the former talk show host also praised her daughter’s progress.
“she is doing so well now/ in spite of the tabloid fodder/ she’s working on herself/ aren’t we all,” the 63-year-old shared. “and she has the right to do it/ without strangers judgement/ i wish i could delete my fame/ for her.”
Chelsea pled guilty in February to three felony counts, including resisting or obstructing an officer, felony bail jumping and possession of methamphetamine, according to court records obtained by People. Her misdemeanor drug charges were dismissed. On March 31, the 27-year-old was sentenced to six years probation, with conditions including absolute sobriety, no possession of alcohol or other controlled substances and no contact with any known drug users or sellers, per the docs.
Despite the fact that Chelsea has chosen her birth mother’s name, Rosie—who is also mom to kids Parker, 29, Blake, 25, Vivienne, 22, and Clay, 12—is supportive of her daughter’s decisions.
“im proud of her/ living her truth/ i respect her desires/ her struggles her success,” she wrote. “her right to define herself/ her world/ her family/ her life.”
She added, “we raise them/ we do r best/ we all fail/ in so many ways/ but rain or shine/ same name or not/ that’s my girl/ fierce and determined.”
Read on for more kids who decided to forego their famous last names.
Chelsea O’Donnell
Rosie O’Donnell and ex Kelli Carpenter‘s adopted daughter filed to change her last name to her birth mom Deanna (née Neuens) Micoley‘s maiden name in January 2025, according to court documents obtained by People.
Suri Cruise
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes‘ daughter went by Suri Noelle—her first name and her mom’s middle name—for her high school graduation ceremony in June 2024.
Malia Obama
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama‘sdaughter Malia Obama dropped her last name to go by just her first and middle monikers—Malia Ann—when credited on her 2023 film project The Heart.
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt
On her 18th birthday in May 2024, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt legally filed to change her name to just Shiloh Jolie after mom Angelina Jolie, dropping dad Brad Pitt‘s surname.
Olivia Jade
Designer Mossimo Giannulli and actress Lori Loughlin‘s daughter Olivia Jade Giannulli doesn’t use her last name as an influencer, going by Olivia Jade for her YouTube career.
Elle King
Rob Schneider‘s daughter was born Tanner Elle Schneider but decided to go by Elle King (her middle name combined with her mom London King‘s surname) for her singing career.
Samia Najimy Finnerty
Hocus Pocus star Kathy Najimy and The Hangover‘s Dan Finnerty share daughter Samia Najimy Finnerty, but she dropped their monikers to go by just Samia for her stage name as a singer.
Nicolas Cage
August Coppola—the brother of Francis Ford Coppola—welcomed son Nicolas Kim Coppola with dancer Joy Vogelsang. However, you know him by a different name: Nicolas Cage, inspired by superhero Luke Cage.
Willow Smith
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith‘s daughter dropped her last name to go by WILLOW as her music stage name.
