Janet Jackson makes ‘insane’ claim about music’s most famous family
Pop icon Janet Jackson made claims about her very famous family in a new interview that left the radio host she was speaking to gobsmacked.
In an interview with Scott Mills on UK radio program BBC Sounds, Jackson was asked if there is any truth to the rumour that she’s related to another music legend, Stevie Wonder.
“He’s our cousin,” Jackson told the stunned radio host. “Not a lot of people know that. He’s our cousin on my mother’s side.”
But it didn’t end there. Yet another music legend’s also in the family – as well as an Oscar-winning actor.
“So is Tracy Chapman. So is Samuel L. Jackson,” she said. Jackson confirmed that all three are Jackson family cousins.
“That’s blown my mind. Can we go through the family tree again?” Mills asked.
Fans on social media also expressed their surprise at the news after the BBC shared the “insane” revelation on social media.
“Tracy Chapman! Can see the resemblance between her and Janet,” one person commented.
“I knew about Stevie Wonder but not the other two!” another wrote.
TMZ has reported in the past that Wonder is the Jacksons’ “third cousin, once removed.”
But at least one of Jackson’s “cousins” has previously denied any family tie to music’s most famous family.
In a 2017 interview with Wired, Snakes on a Plane star Samuel L Jackson offered a concise answer when asked if he was related to Michael Jackson: “Nope.”
Janet’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, had ten children, creating one of American entertainment’s biggest dynasties in the process.
First came the Jackson Five, then Michael’s massive solo career – including the greatest-selling album of all time, Thriller. Baby of the family Janet launched her own pop career in the 80s, and became one of the highest-selling female singers of all time.
Janet, who is now based in London, will embark on tour dates around Europe and the UK next month.
It’s now been nine years since the 58-year-old released a studio album, 2015’s Unbreakable – her longest-ever gap between musical releases.
