Some families are so talented it can’t be contained to just one generation. We hear about “Nepo Babies” a lot, but whether it’s sports, music or acting, when you enter the family business with a famous last name, it’s often harder to make your way. From day one, your success is always compared to that of your parents. If you’re determined enough and have the skills to back it up, you can make your own lane. For the kids of Black entertainers and athletes, that can be an extremely difficult task, as the connection to their parents usually runs very deep for the community. Fortunately, for these talented people, they’ve been able to step out of their families’ shadow and find their own success. These are the most talented kids of Black entertainers and athletes.
Willow Smith
Not only did Willow Smith inherit her Will and Jada’s talent, she also got their independent spirit. Her desire to be true to herself regardless of what expectations are put on her is admirable.
Brian McKnight Jr.
His dad may be the worst, but at least Brian McKnight Jr. got those beautiful pipes from him.
Tracee Ellis Ross
When your mom is the incomparable Diana Ross, you already know you’re under an unimaginable amount of pressure. Tracee Ellis Ross brilliantly swerved away from her mother’s lane as a singer and dramatic actress, finding a hilarious place for herself in the comedy world. From “Girlfriends,” to “Black-ish,” to “American Fiction,” she’s become a legend in her own right.
O’Shea Jackson Jr.
Starting your career by playing a younger version of your father takes a special kind of confidence in your abilities. Since breaking out in “Straight Outta Compton,” O’Shea Jackson Jr. has displayed the depth of his acting range in projects like “Den of Thieves,” “Swagger” and “Obi-Wan Kenobi.”
John David Washington
We’re sure John David Washington doesn’t like being referred to as “Denzel Jr.” or “young Denzel,” but it’s meant as a compliment because he’s just as amazing as his legendary father.
Olivia Washington
Meanwhile, Olivia Washington is working to jumpstart her own unique career with standout performances in the TV series “I’m a Virgo” and the West End production of “Slave Play.”
Bronny James
There’s a lot of talk about whether Bronny James is good enough to be in the NBA, but he definitely showed his potential during the NBA’s Summer League. Reaching a point where he could play for the Los Angeles Lakers, or its G-League team is a huge accomplishment and should not be minimized.
Shedeur Sanders
No matter what you think of Coach Prime, Deion Sanders was a generationally talented athlete. His son Shedeur not only has to overcome those impossible expectations as the quarterback of his dad’s Colorado Buffaloes, he has the weight of a Hall of Fame NFL career following him. Luckily, he’s inherited his father’s overwhelming confidence.
Lenny Kravitz
Rock star/actor Lenny Kravitz showed artistic ability from a young age, but he never took his art into predictable areas. He’s always been a creative personality who goes where the spirit takes him, which certainly helped him establish a life separate from his TV star mother Roxie Roker.
Zoe Kravitz
As the daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet, Zoe Kravitz definitely has her parents’ free spirit personalities. However, she’s also created her pwn legacy as a captivating actress who’s set to make her directorial debut with the film “Blink Twice.”
Maya Rudolph
The daughter of Minnie Riperton, Maya Rudolph has been in the spotlight since she was very young. That unconventional life helped her tap into her comedic side, which has been a benefit for all of us.
Simone Johnson
When she joined the WWE, Simone Johnson wasn’t just following in the footsteps of her father Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, she’s representing an entire wrestling dynasty. She appears regularly as NXT General Manager Ava, the boss who has to keep the superstars in line. What’s worked well for her is establishing her own character and not relying on her family’s well-known moves and catchphrases.
Jaafar Jackson
We haven’t seen much of Jermaine Jackson’s son Jaafar, but as he makes his big screen debut playing his megastar uncle in “Michael,” early reports are that he lives up to his famous family name.
Rashida Jones
You’d be hard pressed to find someone who’s lived a more interesting life than Quincy Jones. However, that hasn’t stopped his daughter Rashida Jones from creating her own story as a popular comedic actress.
Damon Wayans Jr.
If your last name is Wayans and you go into comedy, you’re under a ridiculous amount of pressure from the moment your career starts. Damon Wayans Jr. doesn’t just share his dad’s name, he’s the spitting image of the “In Living Color” star. Luckily, he’s just as hilarious as the rest of his family, so he has nothing to worry about. In fact, they’re doing a new CBS comedy titled “Poppa’s House” together.
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