Black folks know all about play cousins and “aunts” who are really just your mama’s besties. That said, these loved ones are still considered family, not by blood, but by love. The connection can be even stronger if there is a legitimate familial tie.
But what if you didn’t know those relatives? For many of us — and celebrities, as well — that is the case, with stars like Ciara and RuPaul discovering kin via a particularly popular PBS series. Other stars have been fully aware of their connection to others within their industry, preferring to keep the relationship under wraps from the public.
Janet Jackson is the latest star to clue us into her famous relatives, and we’re not talking about her massively popular immediate family including the late King Of Pop. No, there’s another “Jackson” that has ties to the pop and R&B diva, as well as two other celebs who don’t share her surname, but who absolutely share a connection in making timeless music.
Check out 17 celebrities below that you (likely) had no idea were related to each other.
Janet Jackson and…
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images
Stevie Wonder are cousins, according to a new interview with BBC Radio 2.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 01: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Stevie Wonder speaks onstage during the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on April 01, 2024. Broadcasted live on FOX. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
Janet Jackson and…
Image Credit: David Becker/Getty Images for Park MGM)
“Fast Car” singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman is also a cousin of Janet and the famous Jackson clan.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – NOVEMBER 14: Tracy Chapman attends Cirque du Soleil “Kurios” – Opening Night – San Francisco, CA at AT&T Park on November 14, 2014 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Trisha Leeper/WireImage)
Janet Jackson and…
Samuel L. Jackson are also cousins, according to the Rhythm Nation singer’s BBC Q&A.
“He’s our cousin,” she said of Wonder. “Not a lot of people know that, he’s our cousin on our mother’s side. So is Tracy Chapman…. so is Samuel L. Jackson.”
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 04: Samuel L. Jackson attends Marvel Studios “Captain Marvel” Premiere on March 04, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Niecy Nash and…
Image Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Sterling K. Brown of This Is Us fame are cousins, the actress revealed in January 2024.
Beverly Hills , CA – February 12: Sterling K. Brown arriving at the 2024 Oscars Nominees Luncheon Red Carpet at the The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills , CA, Monday, Feb. 12, 2024. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Niecy Nash and…
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Danielle Brooks are also cousins, as Nash congratulated Brown and the Color Purple star on their Oscar nominations at the top of the year.
“Both of my COUSINS are OSCAR NOMINATED ‼️‼️” the Emmy Award winner shared on Instagram at the time. “Yes! We are blood related! REAL cousins! I’m so proud of my fam!”
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: Danielle Brooks attends the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
RuPaul and…
Image Credit: JC Olivera/WireImage
New Jersey State Senator Cory Booker are cousins, as well, with the RuPaul‘s Drag Race star inviting his kin to make a cameo on the season 13 finale after discovering their shared DNA on PBS’ Finding Your Roots.
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 13: Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) , speaks during the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett on Capitol Hill on October 13, 2020 in Washington, DC. Barrett was nominated by President Donald Trump to fill the vacancy left by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who passed away in September. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
Lenny Kravitz and…
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Beloved weatherman Al Roker are related via their shared great-great-grandfather, as their grandfathers were cousins.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 17: Al Roker attends the 6th Annual Blue Jacket Fashion Show at Moonlight Studios on February 17, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Ciara and…
Image Credit: Leon Bennett/FilmMagic
Star Yankee Derek Jeter are distant cousins, with the singer discovering their shared heritage — like Ru and Booker — via PBS’ Finding Your Roots.
“The moment I learned @DerekJeter was my cousin! Crazy! Thank you @drhenrylouisgates for such an incredible experience! This was a dream come true to learn about my family genealogy!” she shared of the news at the time.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 15: (L-R) NFL player Russell Wilson with musician Ciara and former MLB player Derek Jeter attend The 2015 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Saweetie and…
Image Credit: Kayla Oaddams/Getty Images
Gabrielle Union are second cousins, with Union explaining via Twitter in 2018, “Her father and I are 1st cousins. Her grandma is my aunt Joanne Glass, who I based Eva from Deliver Us From Eva on.”
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 25: (Editorial Use Only) (Exclusive Coverage) Gabrielle Union-Wade attends the World Premiere of “Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé” at Samuel Goldwyn Theater on November 25, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/WireImage for Parkwood)
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