Prominent celebrities often share close family ties, including siblings like Beyoncé and Solange Knowles or Michael and Janet Jackson. However, numerous Black stars maintain even more unforeseen relationships.
Unexpected Kinships Among Black Celebrities
Cardi B and GloRilla are cousins. Cardi B shared on the Big Boy’s Neighborhood podcast that her grandfather fathered GloRilla’s dad during a stay in Tennessee.
RuPaul shares a distant relation with Senator Cory Booker. The connection emerged through DNA testing on Finding Your Roots. RuPaul remarked, ‘He looks like my kin! Actually, there’s a sweetness about him that I’ve always loved.’ He later introduced Booker on RuPaul’s Drag Race as ‘United States Senator and my cousin.’
Saweetie and Gabrielle Union are cousins. Saweetie’s father is Gabrielle’s first cousin. Saweetie noted, ‘When I was a young girl, I would be so shy around her because she’s always been so beautiful. So bright… She’s always just had this really bright light about herself.’
Saweetie connects to MC Hammer. He is the father of one of her cousins and motivated her work ethic. She aims to build her own legacy following their example.
Kerry Washington is related to the late General Colin Powell through her mother. During a 2013 commencement speech at George Washington University, she highlighted him among notable alumni. After his 2021 passing, she paid tribute: ‘Your legacy will continue to live on, in all of us.’
Pete Wentz links to General Powell via his mother. Wentz’s maternal grandfather was Powell’s cousin. Wentz’s father recounted meeting Powell several times, describing him as gracious.
Bobsledder Azaria Hill is the daughter of track star Denean Howard-Hill and boxer Virgil Hill Sr. Her parents’ Olympic achievements fostered her drive. She is the first family member in a winter sport.
Tyler James Williams and Tyrel Jackson Williams are brothers. Tyler appeared as a future version of Tyrel’s Lab Rats character Leo.
The Williams brothers include a third sibling, Tylen Jacob Williams. He starred in Instant Mom, where Tyler guest-starred as his cousin.
Redfoo is the uncle of LMFAO partner Sky Blu. Only 11 years apart, they bonded over music from childhood, forming the duo after a family freestyle session.
Redfoo and Sky Blu belong to the Gordy family. Berry Gordy, Motown founder, is Redfoo’s father and Sky Blu’s grandfather, who eventually championed their career.
Bianca Lawson is Berry Gordy’s grand-niece. Her mother Denise is his niece. Lawson credits the environment for inspiring creativity while learning about challenges. Berry advised her on perseverance through family support.
Bianca Lawson was once stepsister to Beyoncé and Solange. Her father Richard Lawson married their mother Tina Knowles from 2015 to 2024. Lawson praised Beyoncé as hardworking and genuinely kind.
Maya Rudolph is daughter of singer Minnie Riperton. Rudolph addressed ongoing questions about her mother’s early death: ‘I’m 52 years old, and I have survived my childhood trauma.’
Meghan Markle and Mookie Betts are distant cousins. Genealogical research links their great-great relatives by marriage. They met at a 2019 baseball game, where Betts shared the news and received a hug.
Sheila E. is Nicole Richie’s biological aunt. Nicole’s birth father is Sheila’s brother. Sheila celebrated their bond on Instagram: ‘Me and my niece love u beautiful.’
Ciara and Derek Jeter are DNA cousins. The revelation on Finding Your Roots prompted Ciara’s surprise: ‘Derek Jeter! That’s crazy!’
Viola Davis and Mike Colter are cousins. Despite family awareness, they connected in 2019 over coffee after crossing paths in Los Angeles.
Takeoff was nephew to Migos member Quavo. Quavo, just three years older, honored him posthumously: ‘I miss him a lot… I think about him all the time.’
Niecy Nash, Danielle Brooks, and Sterling K. Brown are cousins. DNA confirmed on Finding Your Roots. Nash celebrated their Oscar nods: ‘Both of my COUSINS are OSCAR NOMINATED! We are blood related!’
Lenny Kravitz and Al Roker are second cousins once removed. Shared grandfather lineage via the Roker name from the Bahamas, as Kravitz noted on Today.
Yara Shahidi and Nas are cousins. Nas encouraged her Harvard path by inviting her family to a campus event, reshaping her view of Ivy League access.
Nas also relates to Tracy Morgan. Third cousins via DNA. Morgan recalled their pre-discovery closeness and emotional call: ‘If you ever need me, I’m there, cuz.’
Ludacris and Monica are cousins. Raised together after Monica’s mother married Ludacris’s uncle. They were close as kids under their real names.
Ludacris shares distant ties with Richard Pryor. A fifth or sixth cousin, Ludacris admired him without meeting.
Charlamagne Tha God is cousin to Chlöe and Halle Bailey. Chlöe affirmed on his show: ‘Yeah, that’s my cousin! Yes, I am [proud].’
Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad are sisters. They co-starred on The Cosby Show in 1988.
Dionne Warwick and Whitney Houston were cousins. Mothers were sisters in the Drinkard family choir tradition. Warwick observed Whitney mirrored her mother Cissy’s talent.
Young Dolph and Juice WRLD were cousins. Learned in 2017; Dolph’s heartfelt tribute lamented missed bonding opportunities.
Janelle Monáe and Marsai Martin are cousins. Met at a Golden Globes afterparty; mutual admiration followed family revelations.
Shaquille O’Neal and Bill Bellamy are cousins. Lifelong family, Bellamy proud of Shaq’s post-NBA success and humor.
Ice Cube and Del The Funky Homosapien are cousins. Discuss music and rap; Del values Ice Cube’s guidance.
Whoopi Goldberg and Tony Gonzalez are DNA cousins. Revealed on The View; Gonzalez joked about her will during a visit.
Snoop Dogg is cousin to Brandy and Ray J. Brandy noted Ray J mimicked Snoop young: ‘We love you, Snoop! I’m so happy you’re in the family.’
