Every so often we discover that a pair of celebrities are related, whether it’s Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Tracy Chapman 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.
Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Tracy Chapman....and Maybe Samuel L. Jackson
In a recent interview, the “Control” singer revealed she was related to Stevie Wonder, Tracy Chapman and Samuel L. Jackson. However, one user online found an old interview with Jackson debunking it so now we really don’t know what to believe!
Niecy Nash, Sterling K. Brown and Danielle Brooks
This was a fairly new revelation that was actually made public by Niecy Nash during awards season earlier this year when she found out both her cousins Danielle Brooks and Sterling K. Brown were nominated for Oscars.
“Both of my COUSINS are OSCAR NOMINATED ‼️‼️ Yes! We are blood related! REAL cousins! I’m so proud of my fam!,” she captioned in the post.
Quincy and Rashida Jones
Jones is a pretty common last name in our culture so many folks may not have put two and two together about famed music legend Quincy Jones and his daughter Rashida Jones.
Whitney Houston and Dionne Warwick
Don’t “walk on by” this fun fact: Dionee Warwick and the late, great Whitney Houston are actually cousins! And if there’s one thing they share other than blood, it’s musical genes.
Olivia Washington and John David Washington
OK, OK, this one may not come as much of a surprise when you look at them side by side. But this sibling duo both look like the spitting image of their mother, Pauletta Washington wife to...yup..you guessed it: Denzel Washington.
Roxie Roker & Lenny Kravitz
Yup, that’s right. Lenny Kravitz’s mother is Helen Willis from the popular 70s sitcom, The Jeffersons
Thandie & Nico Parker
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The popular rapper is the daughter of Benzino, who is an artist, record producer, and TV personality.
Pharell & Timbaland
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
Maybe it’s just me, but I had no idea these two entertainers were cousins.
Da Brat & LisaRaye
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
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
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.
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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