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” the artist revealed some of her A-list relatives that the public doesn’t know about BBC Radio 2 breakfast programme. In a video shared Tuesday on Instagram, host Scott Mills asked Jackson, “Now someone has said this to me before, are you related to Stevie [Wonder]?”
“He’s our cousin,” the Grammy winner replied. “Not many people know that. He’s our cousin on my mother’s side. That’s right Tracy Chapman.”
“That’s right 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” Touralso shared how she honors her brother’s legacy by performing their duet “Scream” during her shows.
“I love that song and I guess it’s just a tribute to my brother and us working together and those memories and people going crazy when he shows up [on the concert screen] they just love it so it’s nice.”
The “Together Again” tour will continue until October 2024.