The Aussie WAGs clinging to their ex-husbands’ fame by refusing to drop their names… after Phoebe Burgess is urged to return to her maiden name

Jana Hocking recently advised Phoebe Burgess to drop ex-husband Sam Burgess’ last name.

“Let me put it bluntly: it’s time to give up the ghost of husbands’ pasts,” Hocking wrote in her Ny Breaking Australia Mail+ column.

“Yes, I’m talking about your Instagram account @mrsphoebeburgess,” she added, before suggesting that by keeping the name, Phoebe seems “a bit stuck in the past, when it’s clear that your ex-husband already left a long time ago.’

Sam Burgess recently married his new wife Lucy in a lavish Roman wedding.

Sam and his ex-wife Phoebe married in 2015, separated in late 2018 and resumed their relationship in early 2019.

They separated for good on October 2 that year and later divorced – with Phoebe keeping her husband’s name despite the bitter parting.

But the newly remarried NRL star’s ex-wife isn’t the only WAG to ditch her maiden name long after the divorce.

Many Australian WAGs, who have built careers as influencers and businesswomen thanks to these surnames, have done the same.

Nadia Bartel

The founder of fashion brand Henne and ex-wife of AFL star Jimmy Bartel is another WAG who has kept her married name.

In 2020, the influencer said she didn’t want to have a different last name than her sons Aston and Henley.

“Right now I want to have the same name as the boys. I can’t imagine having a surname anymore,” she told the Daily Telegraph at the time.

Nadia Bartel, the founder of Henne fashion brand and ex-wife of AFL star Jimmy Bartel, is another WAG who has kept her married name. Both shown

Nadia’s maiden name is Coppolino, and she has no plans to use it again, but she also admitted that one day she might see things differently.

‘If I didn’t have children it would be a different story. “I don’t know what I could do in the future,” she added.

Nadia announced her divorce from retired AFL star Jimmy in August 2019, five years after they tied the knot on the Bellarine Peninsula.

In 2020, the influencer said she didn’t want to have a different last name than her sons Aston and Henley. “Right now I want to have the same name as the boys. I can’t imagine having a surname anymore,” she told the Daily Telegraph at the time. Pictured last month

Sophie Cachia

Controversial former WAG Sophie Cachia still uses her AFL star husband Jaryd’s surname for business reasons.

The Australian Survivor star was married to the Carlton player from 2015 to 2019 and continued to use his surname on social media for years after their divorce.

Although the influencer now lists Sophie Shaw on her Instagram profile, her profile address is still @sophiecachia_ and her women’s clothing label still bears the last name.

It is believed that the use of the name Shaw is only for her personal life, and for branding purposes, she has retained her ex-husband’s name.

Controversial former WAG Sophie Cachia (pictured) still uses her AFL star husband Jaryd’s surname for business reasons. The Australian Survivor star was married to the Carlton player from 2015 to 2019 and continued to use his surname on social media for years after their divorce

Although the influencer now lists her name as Sophie Shaw on her Instagram profile, her profile address is still @sophiecachia_ and her womenswear label still bears the last name

Tania Buckley

Tania Buckley split from AFL Nathan Buckley in January 2020, but did not confirm their breakup until December the following year.

After being separated for over a year, Tania made the decision to remove Nathan from her Instagram profile in June 2021.

Tania had triumphantly returned to social media just days earlier to debut her stunning transformation as a single woman, updating her fashion sense and paying tribute to friends who had supported her.

While changing her appearance, Tania left the last name ‘Buckley’ on her Instagram account.

Tania has since moved on with a new partner, Marcus ‘Marco’ Kelly, a former Australian Formula 5000 speedway champion.

Tania Buckley split from AFL Nathan Buckley in January 2020, but did not confirm their breakup until December the following year. Both shown

Tania left the last name ‘Buckley’ on her Instagram account. She has since moved on with a new partner, Marcus ‘Marco’ Kelly, a former Australian Formula 5000 speedway champion. Both shown

Jana Hocking recently advised Phoebe Burgess (pictured in May) to drop ex-husband Sam Burgess’ surname. But the newly remarried NRL star’s ex-wife isn’t the only WAG to keep her famous surname long after divorce