You’ve probably seen the name everywhere if you follow the industry. She’s won the biggest awards, graced the covers, and basically became the "it girl" almost overnight. But when fans start digging into the person behind the screen, things get a little hazy. There is a lot of conflicting info floating around on the internet.
So, let's get the big question out of the way immediately. Gianna Dior's real name at birth was Emily Katherine Correro.
However, there’s a massive "but" here. Unlike many performers who just use a stage name for work and keep their legal ID the same, she actually went the distance. She officially, legally changed her name. If you look at her passport or her driver's license today, it doesn't say Emily anymore. It says Gianna Dior.
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The Story Behind the Name Change
Why change it legally? Most people in the entertainment world like the separation. They want to be "Jane Doe" at the grocery store and "Starlet X" on set. Gianna took the opposite route. In a 2021 tweet that cleared up a ton of rumors, she explicitly stated that she had legally changed her name to her professional one.
She's an Italian-American, and "Gianna" fits that heritage perfectly. It’s a move that shows a level of commitment to her brand that you don't see often. She basically merged her personal and professional identities into one single entity.
Born on May 12, 1997, she didn't grow up in the bright lights of Los Angeles or Miami. She’s actually a small-town girl at heart. While she was born in California, she spent most of her formative years in a tiny town near Auburn, Alabama. That Southern upbringing is something she mentions often. It’s part of that "girl next door" charm that made her so popular so quickly.
From Auburn Psychology Student to Industry Icon
Before the cameras, she was living a pretty standard life. She attended Auburn University. Can you imagine? She was actually studying psychology. Honestly, that background probably helped her navigate the mental hurdles of the industry better than most.
College isn't cheap. To pay for her tuition, she was working two jobs and grinding it out like any other student. Then came the "sliding doors" moment: a random DM.
- An industry scout reached out.
- She flew to Miami for a tryout.
- She realized she actually loved the work.
- She moved to LA a month later.
It sounds like a movie script, but that’s literally how it happened. She entered the scene in 2018, and within two years, she was the AVN Best New Starlet. By 2022, she was the Female Performer of the Year. That is a meteoric rise by any standard.
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The Identity Confusion: Emily Willis vs. Gianna Dior
One reason people get confused about her real name is because of a weird legal situation involving another star, Emily Willis. Because Gianna's birth name was Emily, and she was involved in a legal dispute (or mentioned in legal documents) alongside Willis, some casual fans got the names swapped in their heads.
To be clear: Emily Willis is a completely different person. Gianna is Emily Katherine Correro (formerly). They are both legends in the space, but they aren't the same person, and their legal names aren't interchangeable.
Why the "Dior" Name Sticks
The name Dior carries a certain weight. It’s associated with luxury, fashion, and high-end aesthetics. It was a smart branding choice. When she moved into directing and producing her own content, having a name that sounded like a brand helped her transition from "performer" to "creator."
She isn't just a face on a screen. She’s a business. She has since moved into more mainstream endeavors—writing, directing, and even looking toward Hollywood roles. The "Dior" name serves as a bridge between the adult world and the mainstream fashion/film world she's eyeing.
Fun Facts You Might Not Know
- Heritage: She is a mix of Italian and Native American descent.
- Military Kids: Both of her parents were in the military, which explains her disciplined work ethic.
- Animals: She is a massive animal lover and often shares clips of her pets.
- Height: She stands at 5'5", which is pretty average, but her presence on camera makes her look much taller.
The Takeaway for Fans and Researchers
If you're looking for her "real" identity, you've found it. But respect the fact that she chose to leave "Emily" behind. When someone goes through the legal process of changing their name, it’s a statement of who they want to be.
What to do next:
If you're following her career, look beyond the screen. Check out her interviews on podcasts where she talks about the psychology of her work. It’s far more interesting than just the name on her birth certificate. Also, keep an eye on her mainstream credits; she’s actively trying to distance herself from the "performer" label and move into "creative director" territory.
Stay updated on her official social channels—specifically her Twitter/X—as that’s where she usually clears up rumors about her life. Don't believe every "wiki" site you see; many still list her birth name as her "current" name, which is technically incorrect since the legal change.