There’s one thing about discovering out two well-known individuals are associated that makes the leisure world really feel a complete lot smaller. One minute, you’re watching someone on a purple carpet, listening to their track, quoting their film or following their profession as they got here out of nowhere. The following minute, you discover out they’ve obtained a cousin, sibling, auntie, uncle or full-blown household tree sitting someplace else in Black Hollywood.
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After all, some movie star households are apparent. Everyone knows about Beyoncé and Solange, the Jacksons, the Wayans household, Eddie and Charlie Murphy, Jaden and Willow Smith and loads of different well-known bloodlines which have been half of popular culture for years. However then there are those that sneak up on you. Those the place the final names don’t match, the careers don’t overlap, or the connection is distant sufficient that followers by no means actually put it collectively.
That’s what makes these household ties so enjoyable. Black leisure has all the time had a “six levels of separation” really feel to it, however generally it’s not even six levels — it’s actually cousin, sister, uncle, niece or nephew. From music legends and actors to athletes, comedians and media personalities, a few of your favourite stars have been related lengthy earlier than the cameras, streaming numbers, awards reveals or viral moments obtained concerned.
And in some instances, even the celebrities themselves didn’t totally notice the connection till later in life. Some came upon via interviews, some via members of the family, some via DNA discoveries and a few merely stored it lowkey till followers began asking questions. Both means, the household reunion could be stacked. So with that in thoughts, listed below are 15 Black celebrities with household connections chances are you’ll not have recognized about.
1. Gabrielle Union and Saweetie
Gabrielle Union and Saweetie are cousins, which makes far more sense when you hear how the connection breaks down. Saweetie’s father is reportedly Union’s first cousin, that means the actress and rapper have been tied via household even when followers didn’t comprehend it till later.
3. Brandy, Ray J and Snoop Dogg
Most individuals know Brandy and Ray J are siblings, however the larger household tree consists of Snoop Dogg. The West Coast rap legend is their first cousin, which quietly makes this one of the vital gifted music households within the recreation.
4. Yara Shahidi and Nas
Yara Shahidi and Nas are household, with Shahidi’s mom being the rapper’s first cousin. Shahidi has spoken earlier than about rising up round Nas and later realizing how huge a deal he was to the remainder of the world.
5. Janelle Monáe and Marsai Martin
Janelle Monáe and Marsai Martin came upon they had been cousins in one of the vital Hollywood methods potential: at a Golden Globes afterparty. In keeping with previous reporting, Martin’s mom helped affirm the household connection, turning what might have been a fast movie star hi there right into a real-life household reunion second.
8. Kerry Washington and Colin Powell
Kerry Washington and the late Basic Colin Powell are reportedly cousins via Washington’s mom’s aspect of the household. It’s a kind of sudden ties that connects Hollywood to politics in a means most followers in all probability by no means noticed coming.
11. Ludacris and Monica
Ludacris and Monica are cousins, and the Atlanta connection runs deep. The 2 have recognized one another since childhood, with different reporting noting that Monica’s mom married Ludacris’ uncle, linking the households collectively.
13. Da Brat and LisaRaye McCoy
Da Brat and LisaRaye McCoy are half-sisters via their father. Their relationship has had public ups and downs over time, however the household connection itself is one that also surprises some followers who solely know them from their separate careers.
