More Black Celebs You Didn’t Know Were Related

Celebs such as Michael Jackson, Janelle Monae, Gabrielle Union, Lenny Kravitz and Ludacris... all have celebrity family ties we didn't know about.

Photo: Getty Images Michael Ochs Archives // Emma McIntyre/GA/The Hollywood Reporter

Every so often we discover that a pair of celebrities are related, whether it’s Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, or Cory Booker and his “twin” cousin, RuPaul.

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So we were curious to know just how many celebrities have family ties to another popular celeb. We did some digging and here’s what we found: Many are connected as cousins; others are siblings or children of famous folks. Here are the Black celebs you didn’t know were related.

Roxie Roker & Lenny Kravitz

Photo: Getty Images Vinnie Zuffante

Yup, that’s right. Lenny Kravitz’s mother is Helen Willis from the popular 70s sitcom, The Jeffersons

Thandie & Nico Parker

Photo: Getty Images Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic

I guess acting just runs in the family. Thandie Newton’s daughter, Nico Parker, had a standout performance on the popular HBO show, The Last of Us.

Wood Harris & Steve Harris

Photo: Getty Images Walter McBride/Corbis

That’s right. The abusive husband from Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Avon Barksdale from The Wire are brothers in real life.

Janelle Monae & Marsai Martin

Photo: Getty Images Leon Bennett

The legendary pop star and the young talented actress both recently discovered they are cousins. In a September issue of InStyle Magazine, the stars said they found out they were related at a Golden Globes afterparty.

Gabrielle Union & Saweetie

Photo: Getty Images Gotham/GC Images // David Livingston

Popular hip-hop artist Saweetie has a famous actress as a cousin. Gabrielle Union is the first cousin of Saweetie’s father, which would make them first cousins once removed.

Michael Jackson & Stevie Wonder

Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection

Who knew that these music icons were related? Not me. The two Motown legends were third cousins on Katherine Jackson’s side.

Cory Booker & RuPaul

Screenshot: RuPaul/YouTube

This is the most random relation on here, former presidential candidate Cory Booker shocked everyone when he appeared on an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race and referred to the popular TV personality as his “cousin.” Turns out it’s true.

Beyoncé & Bianca Lawson

Photo: Getty Images JC Olivera/WireImage // Frazer Harrison

Beyoncé’s family is just filled with celebrities. The two aren’t related by blood, but they’re still family. Queen Bey and Bianca Lawson are step-sisters. Richard Lawson, Bianca’s father, married Tina Knowles, Beyoncé’s mother in 2015 and the two became family.

Lenny Kravitz & Al Roker

Photo: Getty Images Al Pereira/WireImage

Another random relation nobody would’ve guessed. The long-time weatherman is first cousins once removed with the eclectic actor and singer. Kravitz’s mother, Roxie Roker, is Al’s first cousin.

Snoop Dogg, Ray J, & Brandy

Photo: Getty Images Brian Stukes/WireImage // Jesse Grant

Everyone and their mother knows that Brandy and Ray J are siblings. But did y’all know that the brother and sister duo are related to Snoop Dogg?

Coco Jones and Mike Jones

Photo: Getty Images Frederick M. Brown

Up-and-coming actress and singer Coco Jones has a football father. Mike Jones played in the NFL for 12 seasons and even won a Super Bowl in 2000 with the St. Louis Rams.

Ludacris & Monica

Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin

I guess music runs in the family. Ludacris and Monica are cousins and both have roots in the best city in the world, Atlanta, GA.

Ludacris & Richard Pryor

Photo: Getty Images Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage // Michael Ochs Archives

Geez Luda, how many celebrities are you related to?! The successful actor and rapper were distant cousins with legendary comedian Richard Pryor. I can see the resemblance.

Yara Shahidi & Nas

Photo: Getty Images Stefanie Keenan

Yara Shahidi’s mother, Kara, is the first cousin of the Queens MC, which makes Nas and Yara first cousins once removed.

Viola Davis & Mike Colter

Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman // Emma McIntyre

Good genes? The two successful actors are cousins and have been making movies and TV shows for years. They only just met four years ago but acknowledged that their families are always talking about the pair of actors at family reunions.

Coi Leray & Benzino

Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin // Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan

The popular rapper is the daughter of Benzino, who is an artist, record producer, and TV personality.

Pharell & Timbaland

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Who would’ve thought that two of the best and most prolific producers of the 21st century happen to be cousins?

Damon Dash & Stacey Dash

Photo: Getty Images J.Sciulli/WireImage

Maybe it’s just me, but I had no idea these two entertainers were cousins.

Da Brat & LisaRaye

Photo: Getty Images Rick Diamond/WireImage

This one shocked me. Da Brat is a veteran rapper who’s been in the industry for years and LisaRaye has been an actress for more than 30 years. Who knew they were sisters?!

Maya Rudolph & Minnie Ripperton

Photo: Getty Images Jon Kopaloff // Michael Ochs Archives

I guess this mother-and-daughter duo was just born to be entertainers. Maya Rudolph is a hilarious comedian, while Minnie Ripperton was a beloved soul singer.

Erica Badu & Lauren London

Photo: Getty Images Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET // Gilbert Flores/Variety

This one baffled me. We all know who these two ladies are, but the fact that they are cousins is something I did not know.

Nicole Richie & Sheila E.

Photo: Getty Images Donato Sardella/Getty Images for REVOLVE // Mike Coppola

We already know Nicole is the adoptive daughter of Lionel Richie, but did you know that her biological aunt is accomplished percussionist and singer Sheila E. Nicole’s biological father, Peter Michael Escovedo, is Sheila’s brother?

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