Michael and Janet Jackson are undisputed royalty in the world of R&B and pop music, hailing from a family that has left an indelible mark on the industry. Michael, forever the King of Pop, rose to stardom as a member of the legendary Jackson Five. His sister, Janet, has also made her mark as one of the most successful music icons in American history. While Janet is known for keeping a low profile, she recently made headlines during a rare appearance on BBC Radio Five, where she dropped a bombshell that had fans buzzing.

During her conversation with the show’s host, Janet was asked about rumors suggesting that the Jackson family is related to other major celebrities in the entertainment world. Without missing a beat, Janet confirmed the surprising news, revealing connections that left everyone in awe.

As it turns out, the Jackson family is linked to two musical powerhouses and one of the most recognizable actors in Hollywood. Yes, you heard that right—Janet Jackson disclosed that her family is related to singer/songwriter Tracy Chapman, music legend Stevie Wonder, and none other than Oscar-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson. “Stevie is our cousin,” Janet casually mentioned. “Not a lot of people know that. He’s our cousin on my mother’s side. So is Tracy Chapman. So is Samuel Jackson.”

But before you get too excited, there’s a bit of controversy surrounding Janet’s last claim. While Janet confidently named Samuel L. Jackson as a family member, the actor himself has previously denied any relation to Michael Jackson during an interview with WIRED. There could be a reason for this denial—possibly connected to the complicated and, at times, dark history surrounding the Jackson family. Samuel L. Jackson has consistently avoided discussing this topic, perhaps to steer clear of any association with the scandals that have followed the Jackson name.

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