Janet Jackson revealed in a new interview that her family tree turns out to have some surprising branches, including Motown legend Stevie Wonder, “Fast Car” singer Tracy Chapman and actor Samuel L. Jackson.
The “Rhythm Nation” artist disclosed some of her A-list relatives the public doesn’t know about on BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show. In a video shared Tuesday on Instagram, the show’s host Scott Mills asked Jackson, “Now someone told me this earlier, are you related to Stevie [Wonder]?”
“He’s our cousin,” The Grammy winner replied. “Not a lot of people know that. He’s our cousin on my mother’s side. So is Tracy Chapman.”
“So is Samuel Jackson,” she added.
Specifically, Wonder is a third cousin from Janet’s mother Katherine Jackson’s side of the tree. Interestingly, both The Jackson 5 and Wonder were signed to Motown Records.
Already one of the most famous families in the world, the singer is the youngest of the Jackson clan, which also includes Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Brandon, Randy and the late Michael Jackson.
Michael died in 2009 due to cardiac arrest at the age of 50.
The “All For You” singer, who is currently on her “Together Again” tour, also shared how she is honoring her brother’s legacy by performing their duet “Scream” during her shows.
“I love that song and I guess it’s just a homage to my brother and us working together and those memories and people go crazy when he appears [on the concert screen] they just love it so it’s nice.”
The “Together Again” tour will run until October of 2024.
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