19 Celebrities You Didn't Know Had Black Heritage

The diversity within Black heritage is truly amazing.

Feb. 13, 2026 at 2:39pm

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This article explores the stories of 19 celebrities and public figures who have recently discovered or revealed that they have Black roots, despite often being perceived as white. The piece delves into how the complexities of race in America have long obscured the diverse racial backgrounds of many individuals, with the "one-drop rule" and other historical racial classifications often relegating those with any Black ancestry to the lower rungs of the racial hierarchy. However, the article celebrates how many of these celebrities are now proudly reclaiming their Black heritage and identity.

Why it matters

This story highlights the rich diversity within the Black experience in America, challenging simplistic notions of race and identity. It also underscores how racial categorization has long been a tool of oppression, obscuring the true multiracial nature of many families and individuals. By sharing the stories of these celebrities, the article encourages readers to reckon with their own preconceptions about race and identity.

The details

The article profiles 19 celebrities and public figures who have Black heritage, including Pope Leo XIV, whose maternal grandfather was Haitian and grandmother was of Creole descent; singer Halsey, whose father is Black and mother is of European descent; and musician Tori Kelly, who is of Afro-Latina heritage. Other notable figures include NBA player Jason Kidd, actors Wentworth Miller and Slash, model Adriana Lima, and musicians Mariah Carey and Logic. The piece delves into how these individuals have navigated their mixed racial identities, often facing confusion or prejudice from those who assumed they were white.

  • Black History Month is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

The players

Pope Leo XIV

The current Pope, whose maternal grandfather was Haitian and grandmother was of Creole descent from New Orleans.

Halsey

A singer whose father is Black and mother is of European descent.

Tori Kelly

A Grammy-winning artist who is of Afro-Latina heritage, with a Jamaican/Puerto Rican father and Irish/German mother.

Jason Kidd

A former NBA player who has a Black father and Irish-American mother.

Wentworth Miller

An actor best known for his role in Prison Break, who has a Black father and white mother.

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What they’re saying

“I'm white-passing," Halsey has stated. "I've accepted that about myself and have never tried to control anything about Black culture that's not mine. I'm proud to be in a biracial family, I'm proud of who I am, and I'm proud of my hair... I look like a White girl, but I don't feel like one. I'm a Black woman. So it's been weird navigating that.”

— Halsey

“I never felt racism toward being a mixed kid," he told Andscape. "If there was, my parents did a really good job of protecting and shielding me from it where it didn't affect me, nor did I hear it. I had cousins that were white and cousins that were Black. I just looked at them as family. My parents did a great job of helping me understand that we shouldn't be judged on color. You should be looked upon as a person. I give them my thanks for that.”

— Jason Kidd, NBA player

“College is really when the whole 'Who am I?' process begins," he continued, noting that personal discoveries of racial identity 'just never came up" when he was a kid. "To be mixed race is to be between two communities. You have to define yourself for other people, or you'll be defined by them. I would say, 'My father is Black,' and this expression would come across their face, this look in their eyes ... and then they'd associate me with every stereotype they had in their minds about being Black.”

— Wentworth Miller, Actor

What’s next

The article notes that Black History Month is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, encouraging readers to follow BuzzFeed's ongoing coverage of Black culture and heritage.

The takeaway

This story powerfully demonstrates the rich diversity within the Black experience in America, challenging simplistic notions of race and identity. By sharing the stories of these celebrities who have recently reclaimed their Black heritage, the article encourages readers to confront their own preconceptions and celebrate the multiracial tapestry that has long defined the Black community.