Joseph Llanes/FOX(NEW YORK) — Many celebrity wives are talking about naming politics — the decision around changing one’s last name after marriage — especially after Zoe Saldana revealed that her husband took the unconventional approach and changed his name after they wed.
Vanessa Lachey, who wed Nick Lachey back in 2011, says she didn’t hesitate to change her name after marrying the former 98 Degrees singer.
“To me, I’m old school and old fashioned and not only that, I love the unity that it brings for us and I love what it means to me and Nick,” she tells ABC Radio of changing her name. “I didn’t do this for anybody else more so than I did it for my husband, and me, and for my family. And we are the Lachey family. That’s who we are.”
“And that’s my choice!” she continues. “You know, some people say you’re losing yourself, or some people don’t believe in that, and that’s amazing for them, and if that works for them then power to you.”
The actress says Nick was shocked when he learned she’d change her maiden name, Minnillo, to Lachey. “First of all the look on his face when I told him I was taking his name was just adorable and priceless,” she recalls. “He never forced me. He said, ‘It’s up to you.’ Then I said, ‘Oh my gosh! It’s not even a question. I’m doing it.’ He was like, ‘Yeah, that’s my girl! Yeah, she’s mine.’ It was very sweet.”
Vanessa is not only married to the Big Morning Buzz host, she’s also a mother to five-month-old Brooklyn and two-year-old Camden. Vanessa says it’s her role as a mom that has changed her life the most.
“My best life began when I became a mother. I loved becoming his wife and that was definitely an amazing journey for us — we dated for five years before we got married and I believe that we’ve created an amazing physical and emotional foundation for our family — but once we became parents and I personally became a mother, my life has never been better,” she explains.
Vanessa tells ABC Radio that their family is still adjusting to their expansion. Even Camden has become increasingly independent now that he’s a big brother.
“Everything he wants to do, he’s like, ‘Camden do it! Camden do it himself!'” she says, playfully mimicking her son. “He wants to walk the stairs himself. I’m like, ‘OK! Hold the railing!’ He wants to hold the Popsicle himself. [He says] ‘I can hold it myself!’ I’m like, ‘You know what? OK! You can do it yourself.’ So I let him pick: ‘Which color do you want? Which flavor do you want?'”
It’s a good thing her son loves Popsicles as Vanessa has partnered with the brand to release their first-ever comic book series, powered by Marvel. Starting June 21, nine digital comics will be released onPopsicle.com, and limited edition hard copy comics will be available at select Marvel stores starting in July.
