Cousinnnn! What’s Up?: Janet Jackson Reveals Surprising Extended Family Tree

August 13, 2024

Source: Dave Benett / Getty

It seems that everyone in Hollywood has a family connection somewhere – and Janet Jackson is no exception.

As we all know, the pop icon hails from one of music’s most iconic families, The Jacksons. With millions of records sold, clearly there are quite a few legends from that household. However, Janet has recently revealed a few more legendary relatives that we may not know about!

Janet Jackson revealed her insane family tree on the Radio 2 Breakfast show this morning

Listen back on BBC Sounds and I’m back tomorrow from 6.30am pic.twitter.com/lyOleo4qCv

— Scott Mills (@scott_mills) August 13, 2024

During a Aug. 13 interview with BBC Radio 2’s Scott Mills, Janet (who is currently preparing for the European leg of her Together Again Tour) confirmed that Motown icon Stevie Wonder is her cousin. “Not a lot of people know that,” she told a very shocked Mills. “He’s our cousin on my mother’s side.”

Source: Jesse Grant / Getty

The Janet/Stevie connection has peaked out here and there over the years. Stevie’s “Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer” was featured in a prominent scene in Janet’s feature film debut, Poetic Justice. Also, in a “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” moment from her Lifetime documentary, Stevie is seen singing “Happy Birthday” to Janet, addressing him as her cousin. Still, the family tie comes as a shock to many.

Source: Vinnie Zuffante / Getty

Source: Emma McIntyre / Getty

Later in the clip, Janet reveals two more shocking relatives. She reveals to Mills that Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Tracy Chapman, best known for her hit “Fast Car” is also a cousin, as is award-winning actor Samuel L. Jackson. “He would be a cousin too. I mean, he’s not my brother,” she jokes in the clip.

Samuel was also featured in the Janet documentary last year. In the trailer, he’s featured dancing playfully to her track “Throb,” which he proudly proclaims as the best song to play in the club.

Meanwhile, the truly shocking connection is Chapman. While we have not seen the two of them together (at least not much), fans do seem to see a resemblance between the two music legends.

Needless to say, fans on social media were pleasantly surprised to find out the family connections.

Trying to wrap my head around Janet Jackson’s family tree pic.twitter.com/QORvpx6AW1

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 13, 2024

Janet Jackson just casually announcing that besides Stevie Wonder, Samuel L. Jackson and Tracy Chapman also are her cousins.
They truly are the most talented family in history. pic.twitter.com/M5JV8nj8X3

— Sabrine (@whoisitbad) August 13, 2024

No wait.. I always thought Tracey Chapman looked like a Jackson shut up!!!

— Damon Cahlil (@dlatchison011) August 13, 2024

Woah!! What a dynasty pic.twitter.com/KfArbyniXR

— Ishshah Property (@Ishshah_B) August 13, 2024

Ok, someone needs to call @HenryLouisGates I need to know the depths of this family’s lineage. All that talent in one family is extraordinary.

— Johnathan Lee Iverson (@lastringmaster) August 13, 2024

Wow… guess Hollywood is smaller than we thought.