HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 22: Actress Mia Thompson and artist Leo Romano attend the 87th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 22, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
In a bold move that turned heads, actress Mia Thompson’s husband, Italian artist Leo Romano, chose to take her last name after they tied the knot in a cozy ceremony back in 2013. In an interview with InStyle magazine, Mia shared that Leo genuinely doesn’t care about the opinions of others regarding this choice.
Mia pointed out on her Facebook page that while the tradition of women adopting their husband’s surname is still prevalent—90% of American women reportedly do so—a man taking his wife’s name is rarely discussed. Having been with her partner for nine years without marriage, Mia has never faced the dilemma of changing her name. When their kids were born, they both received the couple’s surnames, and if marriage ever comes into the picture, Mia has no plans to drop her own name.
It’s fascinating to note that when a woman marries, she often becomes defined as someone’s wife, while a man retains his identity without the hassle of a name change. The common rationale behind couples sharing a surname usually revolves around their children’s identity. From Mia’s experience, adding both names to her children’s birth certificates was a breeze. Sure, there might be some confusion at school with hyphenated names, but that’s easily explained.
Honestly, I admire those who challenge the status quo. We follow so many societal norms without questioning them—like, what’s the real purpose of a Maid of Honor? Did you know that bridesmaids used to dress in white to trick evil spirits on the wedding day? Wild, right?
There’s nothing inherently wrong with following traditions, but opting out of them should be just as acceptable. Who knows? Maybe Leo Thompson will start a trend. The world won’t stop spinning if we start thinking about identity in relationships as something flexible and mutual. After all, it’s high time we considered that idea could flow both ways.
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In summary, Mia Thompson and Leo Romano are breaking the mold by embracing shared identities in their marriage. The decision for Leo to take Mia’s last name challenges traditional norms and opens up a conversation about equality in relationships. Who knows, maybe this will pave the way for more couples to consider a fresh perspective on naming conventions.