News Zoë Kravitz Wanted to Make It Big Without Her Famous Last Name "I thought about not using it." By Christopher Luu Christopher Luu Instagram Twitter Christopher Luu joined InStyle in 2018 and has worked in digital and print media for over a decade. Prior to being the Senior News Editor at InStyle, he held positions at Refinery29 and lifestyle publications in both Southern California and Washington, D.C., focusing on fashion, retail, and pop culture. He earned a B.A. degree in English Literature at Chapman University and maintains an encyclopedic knowledge of Fashion Week runway shows and viral internet pet videos. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on May 5, 2020 Pin Share Tweet Email Back before Zoë Kravitz was getting top billing on HBO limited series, starring in X-Men flicks, and being the face of a global beauty brand (that'd by YSL Beauté, by the way), she tried to get attention as Zoë Isabella, her first and middle names, ditching the Kravitz name and trying to escape the looming shadow of her famous family. Kravitz explained it all during an appearance on Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast, but said that as hard as she tried, things just didn't work out. "I thought about not using it," Kravitz said. "I kind of tried to do it, but it just like didn't stick. People kept on forgetting. No one was responding to this idea I had. I would tell my agent and it just wasn't happening." Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Why Zoë Kravitz Apologized to Her Husband at the NYC High Fidelity Premiere Kravitz even brought up the idea to her dad, Lenny. She told Shepard that he wasn't really on board with the idea and that, of course, it made him sad. So, not only did the industry not respond to her efforts as Zoë Isabella, her family didn't like it. So, she ditched the whole idea. Now, she explained, she's proud of her family and her last name. "I also think I mentioned it to my dad at one point and I think I could feel that it made him a little sad. So, yeah, I just kind of stuck with it," Kravitz continued. "I did used to be really insecure about people just associating me with my family and now I love it — I'm so proud of them and it's cool." Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit