diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/ai_service.py b/src/pipecat/services/ai_service.py
index ec78549c2..61ed7d456 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/ai_service.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/ai_service.py
@@ -42,27 +42,25 @@ class AIService(FrameProcessor):
             **kwargs: Additional arguments passed to the parent FrameProcessor.
         """
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
-        self._model_name: str = ""
-        self._settings: ServiceSettings = ServiceSettings()
+        self._settings: ServiceSettings = ServiceSettings(model="")
         self._session_properties: Dict[str, Any] = {}
 
-    @property
-    def model_name(self) -> str:
-        """Get the current model name.
+    def _sync_model_name_to_metrics(self):
+        """Sync the current AI model name (in `self._settings.model`) for usage in metrics.
 
-        Returns:
-            The name of the AI model being used.
-        """
-        return self._model_name
+        We don't store model name here because there's already a single source
+        of truth for it in `self._settings.model`. This method is just for
+        syncing the model name to the metrics data.
 
-    def set_model_name(self, model: str):
-        """Set the AI model name and update metrics.
+        TODO: as a next step we should make it so that service classes pass
+        model into `super().__init__` and `AIService` can be responsible for
+        syncing its initial value to metrics, just as it's responsible for
+        syncing any updates to its value to metrics via `_update_settings`.
 
         Args:
             model: The name of the AI model to use.
         """
-        self._model_name = model
-        self.set_core_metrics_data(MetricsData(processor=self.name, model=self._model_name))
+        self.set_core_metrics_data(MetricsData(processor=self.name, model=self._settings.model))
 
     async def start(self, frame: StartFrame):
         """Start the AI service.
@@ -117,7 +115,7 @@ class AIService(FrameProcessor):
         changed = self._settings.apply_update(update)
 
         if "model" in changed:
-            self.set_model_name(self._settings.model)
+            self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         if changed:
             logger.info(f"{self.name}: updated settings fields: {set(changed)}")
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/anthropic/llm.py b/src/pipecat/services/anthropic/llm.py
index 68ebf7ab1..c7f27c0d1 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/anthropic/llm.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/anthropic/llm.py
@@ -237,7 +237,6 @@ class AnthropicLLMService(LLMService):
         self._client = client or AsyncAnthropic(
             api_key=api_key
         )  # if the client is provided, use it and remove it, otherwise create a new one
-        self.set_model_name(model)
         self._retry_timeout_secs = retry_timeout_secs
         self._retry_on_timeout = retry_on_timeout
         self._settings = AnthropicLLMSettings(
@@ -258,6 +257,7 @@ class AnthropicLLMService(LLMService):
             thinking=params.thinking,
             extra=params.extra if isinstance(params.extra, dict) else {},
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
     def can_generate_metrics(self) -> bool:
         """Check if this service can generate usage metrics.
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ class AnthropicLLMService(LLMService):
 
         # Build params using the same method as streaming completions
         params = {
-            "model": self.model_name,
+            "model": self._settings.model,
             "max_tokens": max_tokens if max_tokens is not None else self._settings.max_tokens,
             "stream": False,
             "temperature": self._settings.temperature,
@@ -438,7 +438,7 @@ class AnthropicLLMService(LLMService):
             await self.start_ttfb_metrics()
 
             params = {
-                "model": self.model_name,
+                "model": self._settings.model,
                 "max_tokens": self._settings.max_tokens,
                 "stream": True,
                 "temperature": self._settings.temperature,
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/asyncai/tts.py b/src/pipecat/services/asyncai/tts.py
index 31ce83810..36b4ab4de 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/asyncai/tts.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/asyncai/tts.py
@@ -171,8 +171,7 @@ class AsyncAITTSService(AudioContextTTSService):
             if params.language
             else None,
         )
-
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         self._receive_task = None
         self._keepalive_task = None
@@ -513,7 +512,7 @@ class AsyncAIHttpTTSService(TTSService):
             if params.language
             else None,
         )
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         self._session = aiohttp_session
 
@@ -562,7 +561,7 @@ class AsyncAIHttpTTSService(TTSService):
             voice_config = {"mode": "id", "id": self._settings.voice}
             await self.start_ttfb_metrics()
             payload = {
-                "model_id": self._model_name,
+                "model_id": self._settings.model,
                 "transcript": text,
                 "voice": voice_config,
                 "output_format": {
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/aws/llm.py b/src/pipecat/services/aws/llm.py
index b39d518ec..de994463b 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/aws/llm.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/aws/llm.py
@@ -820,7 +820,6 @@ class AWSBedrockLLMService(LLMService):
             "config": client_config,
         }
 
-        self.set_model_name(model)
         self._retry_timeout_secs = retry_timeout_secs
         self._retry_on_timeout = retry_on_timeout
         self._settings = AWSBedrockLLMSettings(
@@ -833,6 +832,7 @@ class AWSBedrockLLMService(LLMService):
             if isinstance(params.additional_model_request_fields, dict)
             else {},
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         logger.info(f"Using AWS Bedrock model: {model}")
 
@@ -895,7 +895,7 @@ class AWSBedrockLLMService(LLMService):
             inference_config["maxTokens"] = max_tokens
 
         request_params = {
-            "modelId": self.model_name,
+            "modelId": self._settings.model,
             "messages": messages,
             "additionalModelRequestFields": self._settings.additional_model_request_fields,
         }
@@ -1052,7 +1052,7 @@ class AWSBedrockLLMService(LLMService):
 
             # Prepare request parameters
             request_params = {
-                "modelId": self.model_name,
+                "modelId": self._settings.model,
                 "messages": messages,
                 "additionalModelRequestFields": self._settings.additional_model_request_fields,
             }
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/aws/nova_sonic/llm.py b/src/pipecat/services/aws/nova_sonic/llm.py
index 7d2b9c05e..eba5cc21b 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/aws/nova_sonic/llm.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/aws/nova_sonic/llm.py
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ class AWSNovaSonicLLMService(LLMService):
             top_p=params.top_p,
             endpointing_sensitivity=params.endpointing_sensitivity,
         )
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         # Audio I/O config (hardware settings, not runtime-tunable)
         self._input_sample_rate = params.input_sample_rate
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/azure/image.py b/src/pipecat/services/azure/image.py
index 2bddf6c43..f5ce4a9f1 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/azure/image.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/azure/image.py
@@ -54,7 +54,8 @@ class AzureImageGenServiceREST(ImageGenService):
         self._api_key = api_key
         self._azure_endpoint = endpoint
         self._api_version = api_version
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._settings.model = model
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
         self._image_size = image_size
         self._aiohttp_session = aiohttp_session
 
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/camb/tts.py b/src/pipecat/services/camb/tts.py
index 411b4cabf..a2887df28 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/camb/tts.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/camb/tts.py
@@ -236,8 +236,7 @@ class CambTTSService(TTSService):
             ),
             user_instructions=params.user_instructions,
         )
-
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         self._client = None
 
@@ -272,7 +271,7 @@ class CambTTSService(TTSService):
 
         # Use model-specific sample rate if not explicitly specified
         if not self._init_sample_rate:
-            self._sample_rate = MODEL_SAMPLE_RATES.get(self.model_name, 22050)
+            self._sample_rate = MODEL_SAMPLE_RATES.get(self._settings.model, 22050)
 
     @traced_tts
     async def run_tts(self, text: str, context_id: str) -> AsyncGenerator[Frame, None]:
@@ -300,12 +299,12 @@ class CambTTSService(TTSService):
                 "text": text,
                 "voice_id": self._settings.voice,
                 "language": self._settings.language,
-                "speech_model": self.model_name,
+                "speech_model": self._settings.model,
                 "output_configuration": StreamTtsOutputConfiguration(format="pcm_s16le"),
             }
 
             # Add user instructions if using mars-instruct model
-            if self._model_name == "mars-instruct" and self._settings.user_instructions:
+            if self._settings.model == "mars-instruct" and self._settings.user_instructions:
                 tts_kwargs["user_instructions"] = self._settings.user_instructions
 
             await self.start_tts_usage_metrics(text)
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/cartesia/stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/cartesia/stt.py
index e3270936b..6a30f9a53 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/cartesia/stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/cartesia/stt.py
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ class CartesiaSTTService(WebsocketSTTService):
             language=merged_options.get("language"),
             encoding=merged_options.get("encoding", "pcm_s16le"),
         )
-        self.set_model_name(merged_options["model"])
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
         self._api_key = api_key
         self._base_url = base_url or "api.cartesia.ai"
         self._receive_task = None
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/cartesia/tts.py b/src/pipecat/services/cartesia/tts.py
index daddfa6c8..1185a2305 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/cartesia/tts.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/cartesia/tts.py
@@ -330,6 +330,7 @@ class CartesiaTTSService(AudioContextWordTTSService):
         self._cartesia_version = cartesia_version
         self._url = url
         self._settings = CartesiaTTSSettings(
+            model=model,
             output_container=container,
             output_encoding=encoding,
             output_sample_rate=0,
@@ -342,7 +343,7 @@ class CartesiaTTSService(AudioContextWordTTSService):
             pronunciation_dict_id=params.pronunciation_dict_id,
             voice=voice_id,
         )
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         self._context_id = None
         self._receive_task = None
@@ -457,7 +458,7 @@ class CartesiaTTSService(AudioContextWordTTSService):
             "transcript": text,
             "continue": continue_transcript,
             "context_id": self._context_id,
-            "model_id": self.model_name,
+            "model_id": self._settings.model,
             "voice": voice_config,
             "output_format": {
                 "container": self._settings.output_container,
@@ -465,7 +466,7 @@ class CartesiaTTSService(AudioContextWordTTSService):
                 "sample_rate": self._settings.output_sample_rate,
             },
             "add_timestamps": add_timestamps,
-            "use_original_timestamps": False if self.model_name == "sonic" else True,
+            "use_original_timestamps": False if self._settings.model == "sonic" else True,
         }
 
         if is_given(self._settings.language) and self._settings.language:
@@ -741,7 +742,7 @@ class CartesiaHttpTTSService(TTSService):
             generation_config=params.generation_config,
             pronunciation_dict_id=params.pronunciation_dict_id,
         )
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         self._client = AsyncCartesia(
             api_key=api_key,
@@ -829,7 +830,7 @@ class CartesiaHttpTTSService(TTSService):
             }
 
             payload = {
-                "model_id": self._model_name,
+                "model_id": self._settings.model,
                 "transcript": text,
                 "voice": voice_config,
                 "output_format": output_format,
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/cerebras/llm.py b/src/pipecat/services/cerebras/llm.py
index 01a8165f8..e1ecceef7 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/cerebras/llm.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/cerebras/llm.py
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class CerebrasLLMService(OpenAILLMService):
             Dictionary of parameters for the chat completion request.
         """
         params = {
-            "model": self.model_name,
+            "model": self._settings.model,
             "stream": True,
             "seed": self._settings.seed,
             "temperature": self._settings.temperature,
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/deepgram/flux/stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/deepgram/flux/stt.py
index e82fc4dd8..3b6ede086 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/deepgram/flux/stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/deepgram/flux/stt.py
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ class DeepgramFluxSTTService(WebsocketSTTService):
             tag=params.tag or [],
             min_confidence=params.min_confidence,
         )
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
         self._api_key = api_key
         self._url = url
         self._should_interrupt = should_interrupt
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/deepgram/stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/deepgram/stt.py
index 8d4a72fc3..6e5955450 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/deepgram/stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/deepgram/stt.py
@@ -143,13 +143,13 @@ class DeepgramSTTService(STTService):
         if "language" in merged_options and isinstance(merged_options["language"], Language):
             merged_options["language"] = merged_options["language"].value
 
-        self.set_model_name(merged_options["model"])
         merged_live_options = LiveOptions(**merged_options)
         self._settings = DeepgramSTTSettings(
             model=merged_options.get("model"),
             language=merged_options.get("language"),
             live_options=merged_live_options,
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         self._addons = addons
         self._should_interrupt = should_interrupt
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ class DeepgramSTTService(STTService):
         elif "live_options" in changed and self._settings.live_options.model is not None:
             # Only live_options was given → pull model up.
             self._settings.model = self._settings.live_options.model
-            self.set_model_name(self._settings.model)
+            self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         # --- Sync language -----------------------------------------------
         if language_given:
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/deepgram/stt_sagemaker.py b/src/pipecat/services/deepgram/stt_sagemaker.py
index 3184bf7f8..71fdf4417 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/deepgram/stt_sagemaker.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/deepgram/stt_sagemaker.py
@@ -143,13 +143,13 @@ class DeepgramSageMakerSTTService(STTService):
         if "language" in merged_options and isinstance(merged_options["language"], Language):
             merged_options["language"] = merged_options["language"].value
 
-        self.set_model_name(merged_options["model"])
         merged_live_options = LiveOptions(**merged_options)
         self._settings = DeepgramSageMakerSTTSettings(
             model=merged_options.get("model"),
             language=merged_options.get("language"),
             live_options=merged_live_options,
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         self._client: Optional[SageMakerBidiClient] = None
         self._response_task: Optional[asyncio.Task] = None
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ class DeepgramSageMakerSTTService(STTService):
         elif "live_options" in changed and self._settings.live_options.model is not None:
             # Only live_options was given → pull model up.
             self._settings.model = self._settings.live_options.model
-            self.set_model_name(self._settings.model)
+            self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         # --- Sync language -----------------------------------------------
         if language_given:
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/deepseek/llm.py b/src/pipecat/services/deepseek/llm.py
index 806dce13d..70318c9ba 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/deepseek/llm.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/deepseek/llm.py
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ class DeepSeekLLMService(OpenAILLMService):
             Dictionary of parameters for the chat completion request.
         """
         params = {
-            "model": self.model_name,
+            "model": self._settings.model,
             "stream": True,
             "stream_options": {"include_usage": True},
             "frequency_penalty": self._settings.frequency_penalty,
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/elevenlabs/stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/elevenlabs/stt.py
index c3e6b29e7..5ff91f597 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/elevenlabs/stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/elevenlabs/stt.py
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ class ElevenLabsSTTService(SegmentedSTTService):
             else "eng",
             tag_audio_events=params.tag_audio_events,
         )
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
     def can_generate_metrics(self) -> bool:
         """Check if the service can generate processing metrics.
@@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ class ElevenLabsRealtimeSTTService(WebsocketSTTService):
             enable_logging=params.enable_logging,
             include_language_detection=params.include_language_detection,
         )
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
     def can_generate_metrics(self) -> bool:
         """Check if the service can generate processing metrics.
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/elevenlabs/tts.py b/src/pipecat/services/elevenlabs/tts.py
index 7de346826..55875cb69 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/elevenlabs/tts.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/elevenlabs/tts.py
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ class ElevenLabsTTSService(AudioContextWordTTSService):
             enable_logging=params.enable_logging,
             apply_text_normalization=params.apply_text_normalization,
         )
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         self._output_format = ""  # initialized in start()
         self._voice_settings = self._set_voice_settings()
@@ -607,7 +607,7 @@ class ElevenLabsTTSService(AudioContextWordTTSService):
             logger.debug("Connecting to ElevenLabs")
 
             voice_id = self._settings.voice
-            model = self.model_name
+            model = self._settings.model
             output_format = self._output_format
             url = f"{self._url}/v1/text-to-speech/{voice_id}/multi-stream-input?model_id={model}&output_format={output_format}&auto_mode={self._settings.auto_mode}"
 
@@ -929,7 +929,7 @@ class ElevenLabsHttpTTSService(WordTTSService):
             speed=params.speed,
             apply_text_normalization=params.apply_text_normalization,
         )
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
         self._output_format = ""  # initialized in start()
         self._voice_settings = self._set_voice_settings()
         self._pronunciation_dictionary_locators = params.pronunciation_dictionary_locators
@@ -1100,7 +1100,7 @@ class ElevenLabsHttpTTSService(WordTTSService):
 
         payload: Dict[str, Union[str, Dict[str, Union[float, bool]]]] = {
             "text": text,
-            "model_id": self._model_name,
+            "model_id": self._settings.model,
         }
 
         # Include previous text as context if available
@@ -1122,7 +1122,7 @@ class ElevenLabsHttpTTSService(WordTTSService):
             payload["apply_text_normalization"] = self._settings.apply_text_normalization
 
         language = self._settings.language
-        if self._model_name in ELEVENLABS_MULTILINGUAL_MODELS and language:
+        if self._settings.model in ELEVENLABS_MULTILINGUAL_MODELS and language:
             payload["language_code"] = language
             logger.debug(f"Using language code: {language}")
         elif language:
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/fal/image.py b/src/pipecat/services/fal/image.py
index 412cedfbd..fd9d9a22d 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/fal/image.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/fal/image.py
@@ -78,7 +78,8 @@ class FalImageGenService(ImageGenService):
             **kwargs: Additional arguments passed to parent ImageGenService.
         """
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._settings.model = model
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
         self._params = params
         self._aiohttp_session = aiohttp_session
         if key:
@@ -103,7 +104,7 @@ class FalImageGenService(ImageGenService):
         logger.debug(f"Generating image from prompt: {prompt}")
 
         response = await fal_client.run_async(
-            self.model_name,
+            self._settings.model,
             arguments={"prompt": prompt, **self._params.model_dump(exclude_none=True)},
         )
 
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/fireworks/llm.py b/src/pipecat/services/fireworks/llm.py
index 9338d8c5a..92deb00b9 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/fireworks/llm.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/fireworks/llm.py
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class FireworksLLMService(OpenAILLMService):
             Dictionary of parameters for the chat completion request.
         """
         params = {
-            "model": self.model_name,
+            "model": self._settings.model,
             "stream": True,
             "frequency_penalty": self._settings.frequency_penalty,
             "presence_penalty": self._settings.presence_penalty,
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/fish/tts.py b/src/pipecat/services/fish/tts.py
index 131495769..0d84ea7ab 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/fish/tts.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/fish/tts.py
@@ -176,6 +176,7 @@ class FishAudioTTSService(InterruptibleTTSService):
         self._request_id = None
 
         self._settings = FishAudioTTSSettings(
+            model=model_id,
             voice=reference_id,
             fish_sample_rate=0,
             latency=params.latency,
@@ -185,8 +186,7 @@ class FishAudioTTSService(InterruptibleTTSService):
             prosody_volume=params.prosody_volume,
             reference_id=reference_id,
         )
-
-        self.set_model_name(model_id)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
     def can_generate_metrics(self) -> bool:
         """Check if this service can generate processing metrics.
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ class FishAudioTTSService(InterruptibleTTSService):
 
             logger.debug("Connecting to Fish Audio")
             headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {self._api_key}"}
-            headers["model"] = self.model_name
+            headers["model"] = self._settings.model
             self._websocket = await websocket_connect(self._base_url, additional_headers=headers)
 
             # Send initial start message with ormsgpack
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/gladia/stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/gladia/stt.py
index c92d9469f..8d968e00f 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/gladia/stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/gladia/stt.py
@@ -279,9 +279,9 @@ class GladiaSTTService(WebsocketSTTService):
         self._api_key = api_key
         self._region = region
         self._url = url
-        self.set_model_name(model)
         self._receive_task = None
         self._settings = GladiaSTTSettings(model=model, input_params=params)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         # Session management
         self._session_url = None
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ class GladiaSTTService(WebsocketSTTService):
             "bit_depth": params.bit_depth or 16,
             "sample_rate": self.sample_rate,
             "channels": params.channels or 1,
-            "model": self._model_name,
+            "model": self._settings.model,
         }
 
         # Add custom_metadata if provided
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/google/gemini_live/llm.py b/src/pipecat/services/google/gemini_live/llm.py
index 00b540385..84b06a86d 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/google/gemini_live/llm.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/google/gemini_live/llm.py
@@ -701,7 +701,6 @@ class GeminiLiveLLMService(LLMService):
 
         self._last_sent_time = 0
         self._base_url = base_url
-        self.set_model_name(model)
         self._voice_id = voice_id
         self._language_code = params.language
 
@@ -763,6 +762,7 @@ class GeminiLiveLLMService(LLMService):
             proactivity=params.proactivity or {},
             extra=params.extra if isinstance(params.extra, dict) else {},
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         self._file_api_base_url = file_api_base_url
         self._file_api: Optional[GeminiFileAPI] = None
@@ -1230,7 +1230,9 @@ class GeminiLiveLLMService(LLMService):
             await self.push_error(error_msg=f"Initialization error: {e}", exception=e)
 
     async def _connection_task_handler(self, config: LiveConnectConfig):
-        async with self._client.aio.live.connect(model=self._model_name, config=config) as session:
+        async with self._client.aio.live.connect(
+            model=self._settings.model, config=config
+        ) as session:
             logger.info("Connected to Gemini service")
 
             # Mark connection start time
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/google/image.py b/src/pipecat/services/google/image.py
index fcc8e41d0..f03b1da63 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/google/image.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/google/image.py
@@ -79,7 +79,9 @@ class GoogleImageGenService(ImageGenService):
         http_options = update_google_client_http_options(http_options)
 
         self._client = genai.Client(api_key=api_key, http_options=http_options)
-        self.set_model_name(self._params.model)
+
+        self._settings.model = self._params.model
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
     def can_generate_metrics(self) -> bool:
         """Check if this service can generate processing metrics.
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/google/llm.py b/src/pipecat/services/google/llm.py
index f5a6db78c..2004aa15a 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/google/llm.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/google/llm.py
@@ -797,7 +797,6 @@ class GoogleLLMService(LLMService):
 
         params = params or GoogleLLMService.InputParams()
 
-        self.set_model_name(model)
         self._api_key = api_key
         self._system_instruction = system_instruction
         self._http_options = update_google_client_http_options(http_options)
@@ -811,6 +810,7 @@ class GoogleLLMService(LLMService):
             thinking=params.thinking,
             extra=params.extra if isinstance(params.extra, dict) else {},
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
         self._tools = tools
         self._tool_config = tool_config
 
@@ -870,7 +870,7 @@ class GoogleLLMService(LLMService):
 
         # Use the new google-genai client's async method
         response = await self._client.aio.models.generate_content(
-            model=self._model_name,
+            model=self._settings.model,
             contents=messages,
             config=generation_config,
         )
@@ -930,10 +930,10 @@ class GoogleLLMService(LLMService):
             # There's no way to introspect on model capabilities, so
             # to check for models that we know default to thinkin on
             # and can be configured to turn it off.
-            if not self._model_name.startswith("gemini-2.5-flash"):
+            if not self._settings.model.startswith("gemini-2.5-flash"):
                 return
             # If we have an image model, we don't use a budget either.
-            if "image" in self._model_name:
+            if "image" in self._settings.model:
                 return
             # If thinking_config is already set, don't override it.
             if "thinking_config" in generation_params:
@@ -974,7 +974,7 @@ class GoogleLLMService(LLMService):
 
         await self.start_ttfb_metrics()
         return await self._client.aio.models.generate_content_stream(
-            model=self._model_name,
+            model=self._settings.model,
             contents=messages,
             config=generation_config,
         )
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/groq/stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/groq/stt.py
index 52cb0a7cc..d51e93c68 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/groq/stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/groq/stt.py
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class GroqSTTService(BaseWhisperSTTService):
         # Build kwargs dict with only set parameters
         kwargs = {
             "file": ("audio.wav", audio, "audio/wav"),
-            "model": self.model_name,
+            "model": self._settings.model,
             # Use verbose_json to get probability metrics
             "response_format": "verbose_json" if self._include_prob_metrics else "json",
             "language": self._language,
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/groq/tts.py b/src/pipecat/services/groq/tts.py
index 5c3eab636..cc073f8c7 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/groq/tts.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/groq/tts.py
@@ -108,7 +108,6 @@ class GroqTTSService(TTSService):
         params = params or GroqTTSService.InputParams()
 
         self._api_key = api_key
-        self._model_name = model_name
         self._output_format = output_format
         self._params = params
 
@@ -120,6 +119,7 @@ class GroqTTSService(TTSService):
             speed=params.speed,
             groq_sample_rate=sample_rate,
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         self._client = AsyncGroq(api_key=self._api_key)
 
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ class GroqTTSService(TTSService):
 
         try:
             response = await self._client.audio.speech.create(
-                model=self._model_name,
+                model=self._settings.model,
                 voice=self._settings.voice,
                 response_format=self._output_format,
                 input=text,
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/hathora/stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/hathora/stt.py
index e77e382c0..a08a80aa2 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/hathora/stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/hathora/stt.py
@@ -105,8 +105,7 @@ class HathoraSTTService(SegmentedSTTService):
             language=params.language,
             config=params.config,
         )
-
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
     def can_generate_metrics(self) -> bool:
         """Check if this service can generate processing metrics.
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/hathora/tts.py b/src/pipecat/services/hathora/tts.py
index 9778a2f14..1e7662aab 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/hathora/tts.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/hathora/tts.py
@@ -123,8 +123,7 @@ class HathoraTTSService(TTSService):
             speed=params.speed,
             config=params.config,
         )
-
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
     def can_generate_metrics(self) -> bool:
         """Check if this service can generate processing metrics.
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/inworld/tts.py b/src/pipecat/services/inworld/tts.py
index 1b6dee46f..1d8aa7e4b 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/inworld/tts.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/inworld/tts.py
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ class InworldHttpTTSService(WordTTSService):
 
         self._cumulative_time = 0.0
 
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
     def can_generate_metrics(self) -> bool:
         """Check if this service can generate processing metrics.
@@ -562,7 +562,7 @@ class InworldTTSService(AudioContextWordTTSService):
         # Track the end time of the last word in the current generation
         self._generation_end_time = 0.0
 
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
     def can_generate_metrics(self) -> bool:
         """Check if this service can generate processing metrics.
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/lmnt/tts.py b/src/pipecat/services/lmnt/tts.py
index 71ffb4f5f..f70bfa402 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/lmnt/tts.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/lmnt/tts.py
@@ -122,13 +122,13 @@ class LmntTTSService(InterruptibleTTSService):
         )
 
         self._api_key = api_key
-        self.set_model_name(model)
         self._settings = LmntTTSSettings(
             model=model,
             voice=voice_id,
             language=self.language_to_service_language(language),
             format="raw",
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
         self._receive_task = None
         self._context_id: Optional[str] = None
 
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ class LmntTTSService(InterruptibleTTSService):
                 "format": self._settings.format,
                 "sample_rate": self.sample_rate,
                 "language": self._settings.language,
-                "model": self.model_name,
+                "model": self._settings.model,
             }
 
             # Connect to LMNT's websocket directly
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/minimax/tts.py b/src/pipecat/services/minimax/tts.py
index 507febf2d..54925f7e4 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/minimax/tts.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/minimax/tts.py
@@ -235,7 +235,6 @@ class MiniMaxHttpTTSService(TTSService):
         self._group_id = group_id
         self._base_url = f"{base_url}?GroupId={group_id}"
         self._session = aiohttp_session
-        self._model_name = model
 
         # Create voice settings
         self._settings = MiniMaxTTSSettings(
@@ -249,9 +248,7 @@ class MiniMaxHttpTTSService(TTSService):
             audio_format="pcm",
             audio_channel=1,
         )
-
-        # Set model
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         # Add language boost if provided
         if params.language:
@@ -318,14 +315,6 @@ class MiniMaxHttpTTSService(TTSService):
         """
         return language_to_minimax_language(language)
 
-    def set_model_name(self, model: str):
-        """Set the TTS model to use.
-
-        Args:
-            model: The model name to use for synthesis.
-        """
-        self._model_name = model
-
     async def start(self, frame: StartFrame):
         """Start the MiniMax TTS service.
 
@@ -382,7 +371,7 @@ class MiniMaxHttpTTSService(TTSService):
             "stream": self._settings.stream,
             "voice_setting": voice_setting,
             "audio_setting": audio_setting,
-            "model": self._model_name,
+            "model": self._settings.model,
             "text": text,
         }
         if is_given(self._settings.language_boost):
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/mistral/llm.py b/src/pipecat/services/mistral/llm.py
index 7a8f5b71a..984ffb7dd 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/mistral/llm.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/mistral/llm.py
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ class MistralLLMService(OpenAILLMService):
         fixed_messages = self._apply_mistral_fixups(params_from_context["messages"])
 
         params = {
-            "model": self.model_name,
+            "model": self._settings.model,
             "stream": True,
             "messages": fixed_messages,
             "tools": params_from_context["tools"],
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/moondream/vision.py b/src/pipecat/services/moondream/vision.py
index 6a180b4cb..16be15ac5 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/moondream/vision.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/moondream/vision.py
@@ -81,7 +81,8 @@ class MoondreamService(VisionService):
         """
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
 
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._settings.model = model
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         if not use_cpu:
             device, dtype = detect_device()
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/nvidia/stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/nvidia/stt.py
index a79119c34..fd924204e 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/nvidia/stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/nvidia/stt.py
@@ -181,10 +181,10 @@ class NvidiaSTTService(STTService):
         self._function_id = model_function_map.get("function_id")
 
         self._settings = NvidiaSTTSettings(
+            model=model_function_map.get("model_name"),
             language=params.language,
         )
-
-        self.set_model_name(model_function_map.get("model_name"))
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         self._asr_service = None
         self._queue = None
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ class NvidiaSTTService(STTService):
         if not self._thread_task:
             self._thread_task = self.create_task(self._thread_task_handler())
 
-        logger.debug(f"Initialized NvidiaSTTService with model: {self.model_name}")
+        logger.debug(f"Initialized NvidiaSTTService with model: {self._settings.model}")
 
     async def stop(self, frame: EndFrame):
         """Stop the NVIDIA Riva STT service and clean up resources.
@@ -467,9 +467,6 @@ class NvidiaSegmentedSTTService(SegmentedSTTService):
 
         params = params or NvidiaSegmentedSTTService.InputParams()
 
-        # Set model name
-        self.set_model_name(model_function_map.get("model_name"))
-
         # Initialize NVIDIA Riva settings
         self._api_key = api_key
         self._server = server
@@ -488,6 +485,7 @@ class NvidiaSegmentedSTTService(SegmentedSTTService):
         self._config = None
         self._asr_service = None
         self._settings = NvidiaSegmentedSTTSettings(
+            model=model_function_map.get("model_name"),
             language=self.language_to_service_language(params.language or Language.EN_US)
             or "en-US",
             profanity_filter=params.profanity_filter,
@@ -496,6 +494,7 @@ class NvidiaSegmentedSTTService(SegmentedSTTService):
             boosted_lm_words=params.boosted_lm_words,
             boosted_lm_score=params.boosted_lm_score,
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
     def language_to_service_language(self, language: Language) -> Optional[str]:
         """Convert pipecat Language enum to NVIDIA Riva's language code.
@@ -578,7 +577,7 @@ class NvidiaSegmentedSTTService(SegmentedSTTService):
         await super().start(frame)
         self._initialize_client()
         self._config = self._create_recognition_config()
-        logger.debug(f"Initialized NvidiaSegmentedSTTService with model: {self.model_name}")
+        logger.debug(f"Initialized NvidiaSegmentedSTTService with model: {self._settings.model}")
 
     async def _update_settings(self, update: STTSettings) -> dict[str, Any]:
         """Apply a settings update and sync internal state.
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/nvidia/tts.py b/src/pipecat/services/nvidia/tts.py
index 22cffc6c1..ade5da63d 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/nvidia/tts.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/nvidia/tts.py
@@ -112,11 +112,12 @@ class NvidiaTTSService(TTSService):
         self._function_id = model_function_map.get("function_id")
         self._use_ssl = use_ssl
         self._settings = NvidiaTTSSettings(
+            model=model_function_map.get("model_name"),
             voice=voice_id,
             language=params.language,
             quality=params.quality,
         )
-        self.set_model_name(model_function_map.get("model_name"))
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         self._service = None
         self._config = None
@@ -192,7 +193,7 @@ class NvidiaTTSService(TTSService):
         await super().start(frame)
         self._initialize_client()
         self._config = self._create_synthesis_config()
-        logger.debug(f"Initialized NvidiaTTSService with model: {self.model_name}")
+        logger.debug(f"Initialized NvidiaTTSService with model: {self._settings.model}")
 
     @traced_tts
     async def run_tts(self, text: str, context_id: str) -> AsyncGenerator[Frame, None]:
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/openai/base_llm.py b/src/pipecat/services/openai/base_llm.py
index 5b624010f..aad88472a 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/openai/base_llm.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/openai/base_llm.py
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ class BaseOpenAILLMService(LLMService):
         )
         self._retry_timeout_secs = retry_timeout_secs
         self._retry_on_timeout = retry_on_timeout
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
         self._full_model_name: str = ""
         self._client = self.create_client(
             api_key=api_key,
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ class BaseOpenAILLMService(LLMService):
             Dictionary of parameters for the chat completion request.
         """
         params = {
-            "model": self.model_name,
+            "model": self._settings.model,
             "stream": True,
             "stream_options": {"include_usage": True},
             "frequency_penalty": self._settings.frequency_penalty,
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/openai/image.py b/src/pipecat/services/openai/image.py
index d6ca51ae7..36efc5987 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/openai/image.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/openai/image.py
@@ -53,7 +53,8 @@ class OpenAIImageGenService(ImageGenService):
             model: DALL-E model to use for generation. Defaults to "dall-e-3".
         """
         super().__init__()
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._settings.model = model
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
         self._image_size = image_size
         self._client = AsyncOpenAI(api_key=api_key, base_url=base_url)
         self._aiohttp_session = aiohttp_session
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ class OpenAIImageGenService(ImageGenService):
         logger.debug(f"Generating image from prompt: {prompt}")
 
         image = await self._client.images.generate(
-            prompt=prompt, model=self.model_name, n=1, size=self._image_size
+            prompt=prompt, model=self._settings.model, n=1, size=self._image_size
         )
 
         image_url = image.data[0].url
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/openai/realtime/llm.py b/src/pipecat/services/openai/realtime/llm.py
index 3560f0c27..d765fea75 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/openai/realtime/llm.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/openai/realtime/llm.py
@@ -175,12 +175,12 @@ class OpenAIRealtimeLLMService(LLMService):
 
         self.api_key = api_key
         self.base_url = full_url
-        self.set_model_name(model)
 
         self._settings = OpenAIRealtimeLLMSettings(
             model=model,
             session_properties=session_properties or events.SessionProperties(),
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
         self._audio_input_paused = start_audio_paused
         self._video_input_paused = start_video_paused
         self._video_frame_detail = video_frame_detail
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/openai/stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/openai/stt.py
index 82ad8c0f0..13a37a2b1 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/openai/stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/openai/stt.py
@@ -100,24 +100,24 @@ class OpenAISTTService(BaseWhisperSTTService):
         # Build kwargs dict with only set parameters
         kwargs = {
             "file": ("audio.wav", audio, "audio/wav"),
-            "model": self.model_name,
-            "language": self._language,
+            "model": self._settings.model,
+            "language": self._settings.language,
         }
 
         if self._include_prob_metrics:
             # GPT-4o-transcribe models only support logprobs (not verbose_json)
-            if self.model_name in ("gpt-4o-transcribe", "gpt-4o-mini-transcribe"):
+            if self._settings.model in ("gpt-4o-transcribe", "gpt-4o-mini-transcribe"):
                 kwargs["response_format"] = "json"
                 kwargs["include"] = ["logprobs"]
             else:
                 # Whisper models support verbose_json
                 kwargs["response_format"] = "verbose_json"
 
-        if self._prompt is not None:
-            kwargs["prompt"] = self._prompt
+        if self._settings.prompt is not None:
+            kwargs["prompt"] = self._settings.prompt
 
-        if self._temperature is not None:
-            kwargs["temperature"] = self._temperature
+        if self._settings.temperature is not None:
+            kwargs["temperature"] = self._settings.temperature
 
         return await self._client.audio.transcriptions.create(**kwargs)
 
@@ -226,7 +226,6 @@ class OpenAIRealtimeSTTService(WebsocketSTTService):
 
         self._api_key = api_key
         self._base_url = base_url
-        self.set_model_name(model)
 
         self._prompt = prompt
         self._turn_detection = turn_detection
@@ -238,6 +237,7 @@ class OpenAIRealtimeSTTService(WebsocketSTTService):
             language=language,
             prompt=prompt,
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         self._receive_task = None
         self._session_ready = False
@@ -437,7 +437,7 @@ class OpenAIRealtimeSTTService(WebsocketSTTService):
 
     async def _send_session_update(self):
         """Send ``session.update`` to configure the transcription session."""
-        transcription: dict = {"model": self.model_name}
+        transcription: dict = {"model": self._settings.model}
 
         language_code = (
             self._language_to_code(self._settings.language) if self._settings.language else None
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/openai/tts.py b/src/pipecat/services/openai/tts.py
index 853647f7f..2693bcc27 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/openai/tts.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/openai/tts.py
@@ -134,7 +134,6 @@ class OpenAITTSService(TTSService):
             )
         super().__init__(sample_rate=sample_rate, **kwargs)
 
-        self.set_model_name(model)
         self._client = AsyncOpenAI(api_key=api_key, base_url=base_url)
 
         if instructions or speed:
@@ -154,6 +153,7 @@ class OpenAITTSService(TTSService):
             instructions=params.instructions if params else instructions,
             speed=params.speed if params else speed,
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
     def can_generate_metrics(self) -> bool:
         """Check if this service can generate processing metrics.
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ class OpenAITTSService(TTSService):
             # Setup API parameters
             create_params = {
                 "input": text,
-                "model": self.model_name,
+                "model": self._settings.model,
                 "voice": VALID_VOICES[self._settings.voice],
                 "response_format": "pcm",
             }
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/openai_realtime_beta/openai.py b/src/pipecat/services/openai_realtime_beta/openai.py
index ef40dcb15..efac34223 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/openai_realtime_beta/openai.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/openai_realtime_beta/openai.py
@@ -160,12 +160,12 @@ class OpenAIRealtimeBetaLLMService(LLMService):
 
         self.api_key = api_key
         self.base_url = full_url
-        self.set_model_name(model)
 
         self._settings = OpenAIRealtimeBetaLLMSettings(
             model=model,
             session_properties=session_properties or events.SessionProperties(),
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
         self._audio_input_paused = start_audio_paused
         self._send_transcription_frames = send_transcription_frames
         self._websocket = None
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/openrouter/llm.py b/src/pipecat/services/openrouter/llm.py
index a86b18573..c33fda2fc 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/openrouter/llm.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/openrouter/llm.py
@@ -72,8 +72,7 @@ class OpenRouterLLMService(OpenAILLMService):
             Transformed parameters ready for the API call.
         """
         params = super().build_chat_completion_params(params_from_context)
-        model = getattr(self, "model_name", getattr(self, "model", "")).lower()
-        if "gemini" in model:
+        if "gemini" in self._settings.model.lower():
             messages = params.get("messages", [])
             if not messages:
                 return params
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/perplexity/llm.py b/src/pipecat/services/perplexity/llm.py
index d2dd40a57..04f25621d 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/perplexity/llm.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/perplexity/llm.py
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class PerplexityLLMService(OpenAILLMService):
             Dictionary of parameters for the chat completion request.
         """
         params = {
-            "model": self.model_name,
+            "model": self._settings.model,
             "stream": True,
             "messages": params_from_context["messages"],
         }
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/playht/tts.py b/src/pipecat/services/playht/tts.py
index 630351164..26f1e2dad 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/playht/tts.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/playht/tts.py
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ class PlayHTTTSService(InterruptibleTTSService):
             speed=params.speed,
             seed=params.seed,
         )
-        self.set_model_name(voice_engine)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
     def can_generate_metrics(self) -> bool:
         """Check if this service can generate processing metrics.
@@ -545,6 +545,7 @@ class PlayHTHttpTTSService(TTSService):
             voice_engine = voice_engine.replace("-ws", "")
 
         self._settings = PlayHTTTSSettings(
+            model=voice_engine,
             voice=voice_url,
             language=self.language_to_service_language(params.language)
             if params.language
@@ -554,7 +555,7 @@ class PlayHTHttpTTSService(TTSService):
             speed=params.speed,
             seed=params.seed,
         )
-        self.set_model_name(voice_engine)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
     async def start(self, frame: StartFrame):
         """Start the PlayHT HTTP TTS service.
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/rime/tts.py b/src/pipecat/services/rime/tts.py
index 2f006efc7..d4cb045df 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/rime/tts.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/rime/tts.py
@@ -75,7 +75,6 @@ class RimeTTSSettings(TTSSettings):
     """Settings for Rime WS JSON and HTTP TTS services.
 
     Parameters:
-        modelId: Rime model identifier.
         audioFormat: Audio output format.
         samplingRate: Audio sample rate.
         lang: Rime language code.
@@ -86,7 +85,6 @@ class RimeTTSSettings(TTSSettings):
         inlineSpeedAlpha: Inline speed control markup.
     """
 
-    modelId: str | _NotGiven = field(default_factory=lambda: NOT_GIVEN)
     audioFormat: str | _NotGiven = field(default_factory=lambda: NOT_GIVEN)
     samplingRate: int | _NotGiven = field(default_factory=lambda: NOT_GIVEN)
     lang: str | _NotGiven = field(default_factory=lambda: NOT_GIVEN)
@@ -104,7 +102,6 @@ class RimeNonJsonTTSSettings(TTSSettings):
     """Settings for Rime non-JSON WS TTS service.
 
     Parameters:
-        modelId: Rime model identifier.
         audioFormat: Audio output format.
         samplingRate: Audio sample rate.
         lang: Rime language code.
@@ -114,7 +111,6 @@ class RimeNonJsonTTSSettings(TTSSettings):
         top_p: Cumulative probability threshold (0.0-1.0).
     """
 
-    modelId: str | _NotGiven = field(default_factory=lambda: NOT_GIVEN)
     audioFormat: str | _NotGiven = field(default_factory=lambda: NOT_GIVEN)
     samplingRate: int | _NotGiven = field(default_factory=lambda: NOT_GIVEN)
     lang: str | _NotGiven = field(default_factory=lambda: NOT_GIVEN)
@@ -210,7 +206,7 @@ class RimeTTSService(AudioContextWordTTSService):
         self._model = model
         self._settings = RimeTTSSettings(
             voice=voice_id,
-            modelId=model,
+            model=model,
             audioFormat="pcm",
             samplingRate=0,
             lang=self.language_to_service_language(params.language) if params.language else "eng",
@@ -219,6 +215,7 @@ class RimeTTSService(AudioContextWordTTSService):
             pauseBetweenBrackets=json.dumps(params.pause_between_brackets),
             phonemizeBetweenBrackets=json.dumps(params.phonemize_between_brackets),
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         # State tracking
         self._context_id = None  # Tracks current turn
@@ -353,7 +350,7 @@ class RimeTTSService(AudioContextWordTTSService):
                 f"{k}={v}"
                 for k, v in {
                     "speaker": self._settings.voice,
-                    "modelId": self._settings.modelId,
+                    "modelId": self._settings.model,
                     "audioFormat": self._settings.audioFormat,
                     "samplingRate": self._settings.samplingRate,
                     "lang": self._settings.lang,
@@ -589,6 +586,7 @@ class RimeHttpTTSService(TTSService):
         self._session = aiohttp_session
         self._base_url = "https://users.rime.ai/v1/rime-tts"
         self._settings = RimeTTSSettings(
+            model=model,
             lang=self.language_to_service_language(params.language) if params.language else "eng",
             speedAlpha=params.speed_alpha,
             reduceLatency=params.reduce_latency,
@@ -597,7 +595,7 @@ class RimeHttpTTSService(TTSService):
             inlineSpeedAlpha=params.inline_speed_alpha if params.inline_speed_alpha else NOT_GIVEN,
             voice=voice_id,
         )
-        self.set_model_name(model)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
     def can_generate_metrics(self) -> bool:
         """Check if this service can generate processing metrics.
@@ -648,7 +646,7 @@ class RimeHttpTTSService(TTSService):
             payload["inlineSpeedAlpha"] = self._settings.inlineSpeedAlpha
         payload["text"] = text
         payload["speaker"] = self._settings.voice
-        payload["modelId"] = self._model_name
+        payload["modelId"] = self._settings.model
         payload["samplingRate"] = self.sample_rate
 
         # Arcana does not support PCM audio
@@ -769,7 +767,7 @@ class RimeNonJsonTTSService(InterruptibleTTSService):
         self._model = model
         self._settings = RimeNonJsonTTSSettings(
             voice=voice_id,
-            modelId=model,
+            model=model,
             audioFormat=audio_format,
             samplingRate=sample_rate,
             lang=self.language_to_service_language(params.language)
@@ -782,6 +780,7 @@ class RimeNonJsonTTSService(InterruptibleTTSService):
             temperature=params.temperature if params.temperature is not None else NOT_GIVEN,
             top_p=params.top_p if params.top_p is not None else NOT_GIVEN,
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
         # Add any extra parameters for future compatibility
         if params.extra:
             self._settings.extra.update(params.extra)
@@ -863,7 +862,7 @@ class RimeNonJsonTTSService(InterruptibleTTSService):
             # Build URL with query parameters (only given, non-None values)
             settings_dict = {
                 "speaker": self._settings.voice,
-                "modelId": self._settings.modelId,
+                "modelId": self._settings.model,
                 "audioFormat": self._settings.audioFormat,
                 "samplingRate": self._settings.samplingRate,
             }
@@ -981,10 +980,6 @@ class RimeNonJsonTTSService(InterruptibleTTSService):
         """
         changed = await super()._update_settings(update)
 
-        # Sync model to settings dict field
-        if "model" in changed:
-            self._settings.modelId = self._model_name
-
         if changed:
             logger.debug("Settings changed, reconnecting WebSocket with new parameters")
             await self._disconnect()
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/sambanova/llm.py b/src/pipecat/services/sambanova/llm.py
index 99c7bca2c..016e1740d 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/sambanova/llm.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/sambanova/llm.py
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ class SambaNovaLLMService(OpenAILLMService):  # type: ignore
             Dictionary of parameters for the chat completion request.
         """
         params = {
-            "model": self.model_name,
+            "model": self._settings.model,
             "stream": True,
             "stream_options": {"include_usage": True},
             "temperature": self._settings.temperature,
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/sambanova/stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/sambanova/stt.py
index a1cbe8a22..f313f0d7b 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/sambanova/stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/sambanova/stt.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ class SambaNovaSTTService(BaseWhisperSTTService):  # type: ignore
         # Build kwargs dict with only set parameters
         kwargs = {
             "file": ("audio.wav", audio, "audio/wav"),
-            "model": self.model_name,
+            "model": self._settings.model,
             "response_format": "json",
             "language": self._language,
         }
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/sarvam/stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/sarvam/stt.py
index aa6baef14..b2c9560e4 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/sarvam/stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/sarvam/stt.py
@@ -225,7 +225,6 @@ class SarvamSTTService(STTService):
 
         super().__init__(sample_rate=sample_rate, ttfs_p99_latency=ttfs_p99_latency, **kwargs)
 
-        self.set_model_name(model)
         self._api_key = api_key
 
         # Store connection parameters
@@ -257,6 +256,7 @@ class SarvamSTTService(STTService):
             vad_signals=params.vad_signals,
             high_vad_sensitivity=params.high_vad_sensitivity,
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         if params.vad_signals:
             self._register_event_handler("on_speech_started")
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ class SarvamSTTService(STTService):
         if is_given(update.language) and update.language is not None:
             if not self._config.supports_language:
                 raise ValueError(
-                    f"Model '{self.model_name}' does not support language parameter "
+                    f"Model '{self._settings.model}' does not support language parameter "
                     "(auto-detects language)."
                 )
 
@@ -330,11 +330,13 @@ class SarvamSTTService(STTService):
             if is_given(update.prompt) and update.prompt is not None:
                 if not self._config.supports_prompt:
                     raise ValueError(
-                        f"Model '{self.model_name}' does not support prompt parameter."
+                        f"Model '{self._settings.model}' does not support prompt parameter."
                     )
             if is_given(update.mode) and update.mode is not None:
                 if not self._config.supports_mode:
-                    raise ValueError(f"Model '{self.model_name}' does not support mode parameter.")
+                    raise ValueError(
+                        f"Model '{self._settings.model}' does not support mode parameter."
+                    )
 
         changed = await super()._update_settings(update)
 
@@ -374,11 +376,13 @@ class SarvamSTTService(STTService):
 
         if not self._config.supports_prompt:
             if prompt is not None:
-                raise ValueError(f"Model '{self.model_name}' does not support prompt parameter.")
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"Model '{self._settings.model}' does not support prompt parameter."
+                )
             # If prompt is None and model doesn't support prompts, silently return (no-op)
             return
 
-        logger.info(f"Updating {self.model_name} prompt.")
+        logger.info(f"Updating {self._settings.model} prompt.")
         self._settings.prompt = prompt
         await self._disconnect()
         await self._connect()
@@ -460,7 +464,7 @@ class SarvamSTTService(STTService):
         try:
             # Build common connection parameters
             connect_kwargs = {
-                "model": self.model_name,
+                "model": self._settings.model,
                 "sample_rate": str(self.sample_rate),
             }
 
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/sarvam/tts.py b/src/pipecat/services/sarvam/tts.py
index cbccd0130..191689f5a 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/sarvam/tts.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/sarvam/tts.py
@@ -489,6 +489,7 @@ class SarvamHttpTTSService(TTSService):
             model=model,
             voice=voice_id,
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         # Add parameters based on model support
         if self._config.supports_pitch:
@@ -506,8 +507,6 @@ class SarvamHttpTTSService(TTSService):
         elif params.temperature != 0.6:
             logger.warning(f"temperature parameter is ignored for {model}")
 
-        self.set_model_name(model)
-
     def can_generate_metrics(self) -> bool:
         """Check if this service can generate processing metrics.
 
@@ -559,7 +558,7 @@ class SarvamHttpTTSService(TTSService):
                 "speaker": self._settings.voice,
                 "sample_rate": self.sample_rate,
                 "enable_preprocessing": self._settings.enable_preprocessing,
-                "model": self._model_name,
+                "model": self._settings.model,
                 "pace": self._settings.pace if is_given(self._settings.pace) else 1.0,
             }
 
@@ -828,7 +827,6 @@ class SarvamTTSService(InterruptibleTTSService):
         # WebSocket endpoint URL with model query parameter
         self._websocket_url = f"{url}?model={model}"
         self._api_key = api_key
-        self.set_model_name(model)
 
         # Validate and clamp pace to model's valid range
         pace = params.pace
@@ -854,6 +852,7 @@ class SarvamTTSService(InterruptibleTTSService):
             model=model,
             voice=voice_id,
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         # Add parameters based on model support
         if self._config.supports_pitch:
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/soniox/stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/soniox/stt.py
index 1f34c061c..1e4b49705 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/soniox/stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/soniox/stt.py
@@ -195,13 +195,13 @@ class SonioxSTTService(WebsocketSTTService):
 
         self._api_key = api_key
         self._url = url
-        self.set_model_name(params.model)
         self._vad_force_turn_endpoint = vad_force_turn_endpoint
 
         self._settings = SonioxSTTSettings(
             model=params.model,
             input_params=params,
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         self._final_transcription_buffer = []
         self._last_tokens_received: Optional[float] = None
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ class SonioxSTTService(WebsocketSTTService):
         elif "input_params" in changed and self._settings.input_params.model is not None:
             # Only input_params was given → pull model up.
             self._settings.model = self._settings.input_params.model
-            self.set_model_name(self._settings.model)
+            self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         # TODO: someday we could reconnect here to apply updated settings.
         # Code might look something like the below:
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ class SonioxSTTService(WebsocketSTTService):
             # Send the initial configuration message.
             config = {
                 "api_key": self._api_key,
-                "model": self._model_name,
+                "model": self._settings.model,
                 "audio_format": params.audio_format,
                 "num_channels": params.num_channels or 1,
                 "enable_endpoint_detection": enable_endpoint_detection,
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/speechmatics/stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/speechmatics/stt.py
index 2e23765b2..0ec5609b2 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/speechmatics/stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/speechmatics/stt.py
@@ -459,7 +459,7 @@ class SpeechmaticsSTTService(STTService):
 
         # Model + metrics (operating_point comes from the SDK config/preset)
         self._settings.model = self._config.operating_point.value
-        self.set_model_name(self._config.operating_point.value)
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         # Message queue
         self._stt_msg_queue: asyncio.Queue[dict[str, Any]] = asyncio.Queue()
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/stt_service.py b/src/pipecat/services/stt_service.py
index 47b83ab56..de2539932 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/stt_service.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/stt_service.py
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ class STTService(AIService):
             if self.metrics_enabled:
                 ttfb_data = TTFBMetricsData(
                     processor=self.name,
-                    model=self.model_name,
+                    model=self._settings.model,
                     value=ttfb,
                 )
                 await super().push_frame(MetricsFrame(data=[ttfb_data]))
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/whisper/base_stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/whisper/base_stt.py
index 74ca2d102..9def3c2f1 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/whisper/base_stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/whisper/base_stt.py
@@ -156,7 +156,6 @@ class BaseWhisperSTTService(SegmentedSTTService):
             **kwargs: Additional arguments passed to SegmentedSTTService.
         """
         super().__init__(ttfs_p99_latency=ttfs_p99_latency, **kwargs)
-        self.set_model_name(model)
         self._client = self._create_client(api_key, base_url)
         self._language = self.language_to_service_language(language or Language.EN)
         self._prompt = prompt
@@ -170,6 +169,7 @@ class BaseWhisperSTTService(SegmentedSTTService):
             prompt=self._prompt,
             temperature=self._temperature,
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
     def _create_client(self, api_key: Optional[str], base_url: Optional[str]):
         return AsyncOpenAI(api_key=api_key, base_url=base_url)
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/whisper/stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/whisper/stt.py
index 033d815d9..205838314 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/whisper/stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/whisper/stt.py
@@ -236,7 +236,6 @@ class WhisperSTTService(SegmentedSTTService):
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
         self._device: str = device
         self._compute_type = compute_type
-        self.set_model_name(model if isinstance(model, str) else model.value)
         self._no_speech_prob = no_speech_prob
         self._model: Optional[WhisperModel] = None
 
@@ -247,6 +246,7 @@ class WhisperSTTService(SegmentedSTTService):
             compute_type=self._compute_type,
             no_speech_prob=self._no_speech_prob,
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         self._load()
 
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ class WhisperSTTService(SegmentedSTTService):
 
             logger.debug("Loading Whisper model...")
             self._model = WhisperModel(
-                self.model_name, device=self._device, compute_type=self._compute_type
+                self._settings.model, device=self._device, compute_type=self._compute_type
             )
             logger.debug("Loaded Whisper model")
         except ModuleNotFoundError as e:
@@ -370,7 +370,6 @@ class WhisperSTTServiceMLX(WhisperSTTService):
         # Skip WhisperSTTService.__init__ and call its parent directly
         SegmentedSTTService.__init__(self, **kwargs)
 
-        self.set_model_name(model if isinstance(model, str) else model.value)
         self._no_speech_prob = no_speech_prob
         self._temperature = temperature
 
@@ -381,6 +380,7 @@ class WhisperSTTServiceMLX(WhisperSTTService):
             temperature=self._temperature,
             engine="mlx",
         )
+        self._sync_model_name_to_metrics()
 
         # No need to call _load() as MLX Whisper loads models on demand
 
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ class WhisperSTTServiceMLX(WhisperSTTService):
             chunk = await asyncio.to_thread(
                 mlx_whisper.transcribe,
                 audio_float,
-                path_or_hf_repo=self.model_name,
+                path_or_hf_repo=self._settings.model,
                 temperature=self._temperature,
                 language=self._settings.language,
             )
diff --git a/src/pipecat/utils/tracing/service_decorators.py b/src/pipecat/utils/tracing/service_decorators.py
index 3b23f337a..296ff9522 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/utils/tracing/service_decorators.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/utils/tracing/service_decorators.py
@@ -44,6 +44,23 @@ T = TypeVar("T")
 R = TypeVar("R")
 
 
+def _get_model_name(service) -> str:
+    """Get the model name from a service instance.
+
+    This is a bit of a mess — there were multiple places a model name could live.
+    Soon, self._settings should be the only source of truth about model name.
+    In fact...it might already be the case, but juuuuust to be safe, we'll
+    check all the places we used to store it.
+    """
+    return (
+        getattr(getattr(service, "_settings", None), "model", None)
+        or getattr(service, "_full_model_name", None)
+        or getattr(service, "model_name", None)
+        or getattr(service, "_model_name", None)
+        or "unknown"
+    )
+
+
 def _noop_decorator(func):
     """No-op fallback decorator when tracing is unavailable.
 
@@ -194,7 +211,7 @@ def traced_tts(func: Optional[Callable] = None, *, name: Optional[str] = None) -
                     add_tts_span_attributes(
                         span=span,
                         service_name=service_class_name,
-                        model=getattr(self, "model_name") or "unknown",
+                        model=_get_model_name(self),
                         voice_id=getattr(settings, "voice", "unknown"),
                         text=text,
                         settings=settings,
@@ -311,7 +328,7 @@ def traced_stt(func: Optional[Callable] = None, *, name: Optional[str] = None) -
                         add_stt_span_attributes(
                             span=current_span,
                             service_name=service_class_name,
-                            model=getattr(self, "model_name") or settings.get("model", "unknown"),
+                            model=_get_model_name(self),
                             transcript=transcript,
                             is_final=is_final,
                             language=str(language) if language else None,
@@ -491,10 +508,7 @@ def traced_llm(func: Optional[Callable] = None, *, name: Optional[str] = None) -
                             # Add all available attributes to the span
                             attribute_kwargs = {
                                 "service_name": service_class_name,
-                                "model": getattr(self, "_full_model_name", None)
-                                or getattr(self, "model_name", None)
-                                or params.get("model")
-                                or "unknown",
+                                "model": _get_model_name(self),
                                 "stream": True,  # Most LLM services use streaming
                                 "parameters": params,
                             }
@@ -593,11 +607,7 @@ def traced_gemini_live(operation: str) -> Callable:
                 ) as current_span:
                     try:
                         # Base service attributes
-                        model_name = (
-                            getattr(self, "model_name", None)
-                            or getattr(self, "_model_name", None)
-                            or "unknown"
-                        )
+                        model_name = _get_model_name(self)
                         voice_id = getattr(self, "_voice_id", None)
                         language_code = getattr(self, "_language_code", None)
                         settings = getattr(self, "_settings", {})
@@ -900,11 +910,7 @@ def traced_openai_realtime(operation: str) -> Callable:
                 ) as current_span:
                     try:
                         # Base service attributes
-                        model_name = (
-                            getattr(self, "model_name", None)
-                            or getattr(self, "_model_name", None)
-                            or "unknown"
-                        )
+                        model_name = _get_model_name(self)
 
                         # Operation-specific attribute collection
                         operation_attrs = {}