Family Ties in the Spotlight

A surprising number of famous Black figures share family roots that most fans never knew. The connections range from cousins in the music world to distant relatives in politics and sports, showing how intertwined celebrity families can be.

Cardi B & GloRilla – Cousins through Cardi B’s grandfather, who had a child in Tennessee that is GloRilla’s father.
RuPaul & Senator Cory Booker – A distant DNA link revealed by RuPaul, with Booker even appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Saweetie & Gabrielle Union – Saweetie’s father is a first cousin of the actress; another relative ties her to MC Hammer.
Kerry Washington & General Colin Powell – Cousins; Pete Wentz’s mother was also related to Powell through her grandfather.
Azaria Hill – Daughter of Olympic track star Denean Howard‑Hill and boxer Virgil Hill, Sr.; carries the competitive spirit of her family.
Williams Brothers – Tyler and Tyrel, both actors, have a younger sibling Tylen who also appears on TV.
Redfoo & Sky Blu – Brothers linked to Motown founder Berry Gordy; Bianca Lawson’s mother is a niece of Gordy, and her stepfather once married Beyoncé’s mother.
Maya Rudolph – Lost her mother, singer Minnie Riperton; she often speaks about that loss.
Meghan Markle & Mookie Betts – Distant cousins through great‑great aunt/uncle marriages.
Ciara & Derek Jeter – DNA link discovered by Ciara.
Viola Davis & Mike Colter – Cousins who finally met in 2019.
Takeoff & Quavo – Takeoff was the nephew of Migos member Quavo.
Niecy Nash, Danielle Brooks & Sterling K. Brown – Share a family bond.
Lenny Kravitz & Al Roker – Trace back to a common ancestor.
Yara Shahidi & Nas – Cousin who inspired her Harvard journey.
Tracy Morgan & Nas – Third cousins.
Monica & Ludacris – Connected through a shared uncle.
Charlamagne Tha God & Chlöe/Halle Bailey – Related singers.
Debbie Allen & Phylicia Rashad – Television actresses and sisters.
Dionne Warwick & Whitney Houston – Cousins through their mothers.
Young Dolph & Juice WRLD – Cousins.
Janelle Monáe & Marsai Martin – Met at a Golden Globes after‑party.
Shaquille O’Neal & Bill Bellamy – Family ties.
Ice Cube & Del The Funky Homosapien – Related.
Whoopi Goldberg & Tony Gonzalez – DNA cousin relationship.
Snoop Dogg, Brandy & Ray J – Connections through family ties.

These stories remind us that fame often runs in families, sometimes in unexpected ways.

Actions