Families can be a bit confusing. And not just when it comes to behavior and relationships, but also when it comes to bloodlines. Today, many companies use genetics to trace your ancestors, all the way back to many generations. These very companies have researched famous celebrities and found out some surprising facts about their antecedents.
Bright Side delved into just a handful of these celebrities and found some relationships. Enough for us to exclaim that history truly repeats itself.
1. Beyoncé Knowles is the 25th cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.
Beyoncé Knowles, well known for being music royalty, has royal blood running in her veins too. She is the 25th cousin to Queen Elizabeth, once removed since they both share King Henry II as a common ancestor.
2. Angelina Jolie has lineage from King Phillip II of France.
King Phillip II of France ruled from 1180 to 1223 and is known to have brought financial stability to his country. He also increased the royal coffers. Actress Angelina Jolie carries French royal blood considering she is a direct descendant of Philip II. Strangely enough, she played Queen Olympias in the 2004 movie Alexander, opposite Val Kilmer’s Phillip II, only this was Phillip II of Macedonia.
3. Brad Pitt is a descendant of King Henry II of England.
Brad Pitt is no less royal either. He can trace his ancestry back to King Henry II of England, who ruled from 1154 until his death in 1189. Coincidentally, King Henry II’s wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, was first married to French royalty, making Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie somewhat predestined to a failed marriage. This also makes Pitt a 25th cousin, twice removed, to Queen Elizabeth.
4. Jane Austen is Anna Chancellor’s great-aunt.
In 1995, Anna Chancellor starred as Caroline Bingley in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice BBC Miniseries. But she has a deeper connection to Jane Austen as well. The highly venerated author is an 8-time great aunt to Chancellor.
5. H.H. Asquith is Helena Bonham Carter’s great-grandfather.
Helena Bonham Carter is best known for her off-the-beaten-path roles, like that of Mrs. Lovett in Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. But she comes from illustrious family background. Herbert Henry Asquith, the Prime Minister of the UK from 1908 to 1916, was her paternal great-grandfather. She is also related to Jane Austen, and subsequently to Anna Chancellor.
6. Harry Lloyd is a descendant of Charles Dickens.
Harry Lloyd, who plays Viserys Targaryen in Game of Thrones is the great-great-great-grandson of the famous Charles Dickens, the author. Lloyd’s mother, Marion is the descendant of the seventh child of Dickens, Henry Fielding Dickens, who in turn had 5 children.
7. Benedict Cumberbatch is the 16th cousin to King Richard III.
Benedict Cumberbatch is distantly related to King Richard III, who ruled England from 1452 to 1485. He was the last English king to have died during a battle, and later, there was a whole investigation into finding his remains, enough for a reburial. Cumberbatch, who plays Doctor Strange in the Marvel movies, is the 16th cousin to the king. He also read a poem at his royal ancestor’s reburial.
8. King Henry I is the ancestor of Sigourney Weaver.
There seem to be many celebrities who can trace their lineage right back to English kings. King Henry I, who ruled from 1100 to his death in 1135 may have died without a male heir, but his bloodlines spread far and wide. Actress Sigourney Weaver, known for her role in Alien, is a descendant of Henry I, and this also makes her the 24th cousin of the Queen, once removed.
9. Jake Gyllenhaal has antecedents back to King Edward III.
King Edward III ruled the English from 1312 to 1377 and is known as a rather conventional king, who pursued warfare but could also show great clemency. There are many celebrities who can claim blood relations with him, including Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal. Others include Michael Douglas, Hillary Duff, and more.
10. Meghan Markle is related to William Shakespeare.
We know Meghan Markle is related to the British Royal Family, by way of her marrying Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. But she already has famous blood in her veins, considering she is cousins with the great playwright, William Shakespeare. Markle is a fifth cousin to the Bard, 12 times removed.
11. Ozzy Osbourne is related to Tsar Nicholas II, and more.
Then there is Ozzy Osbourne, and DNA might prove there is a method to his madness. Researchers say that the singer is not just a descendant of the Neanderthal man, but also a relative of outlaw Jesse James. But his claim to royal fame is with the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II, whose entire family was wiped out in the revolution.
12. Cary Elwes is a descendant of infamous miser John Elwes.
Actor Cary Elwes is related to John Elwes. As a man, John Elwes may have been unremarkable except for the fact that he was an extreme miser. It is also alleged that he was Charles Dickens’s inspiration behind the miserly character, Ebenezer Scrooge, in the classic A Christmas Carol.
13. The Deschanel sisters are related to Louis IV of France.
Zooey and Emily Deschanel have both made their names in Hollywood. Zooey is the star of the series New Girl, while Emily Deschanel was the heroine of Bones. And both can lay claim to royal French blood, all the way back to King Louis IV of France, who ruled from 936 to 954.
14. Anderson Cooper is Cornelius Vanderbilt’s great-grandson.
Anchor and host Anderson Cooper is the great-grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the shipping and railroad magnate whose familial wealth was once more than the US treasury. His mother, Gloria Vanderbilt was the granddaughter of Cornelius, but Cooper remembers deciding to start work early, considering the family fortunes were much diminished by the time he was in his teens.
15. Robert Pattinson is a descendant of Vlad the Impaler.
Robert Pattinson may have played the love-sick vampire, Edward Cullen, in the Twilight series, but he has a real-life blood connection to “Dracula.” Bram Stoker’s famous character was allegedly inspired by the Transylvania despot, Vlad the Impaler, and Pattinson is related to him, via the British royal family.
So which of these celebrity connections really caught your interest? Do you know of your family’s famous genealogical connections too?
Angelina Jolie’s relationship with her father, Jon Voight, has been complex and fraught with tension. However, they have managed to reconcile their differences, with Voight becoming a supportive figure in Jolie’s life, particularly during her divorce from Brad Pitt.
Those who have been through it will understand
The excitement, the anticipation, the nervousness—going on a first date is a rollercoaster of emotions. Whether it’s a blind date, a long-awaited meet-up, or an unexpected romantic evening, there’s no denying that first dates are special. But for those who have experienced it firsthand, there’s one undeniable truth: first dates can be wildly different for men and women.
As humorously depicted in the viral image, the contrast in emotions and reactions can be hilariously exaggerated. Boys, symbolized by thick, slow-dripping glue, struggle to maintain composure, while girls, represented by a flowing waterfall, seem effortlessly natural. But what does this really mean? Let’s break it down.
The Nervous Energy of a First Date
Why Do First Dates Feel Like a Big Deal?
First dates come with a unique pressure. It’s the moment when two people decide if there’s chemistry, compatibility, and a possible future together. The stakes feel high, which is why people go to great lengths to look their best, act their best, and create the perfect first impression.
- Boys: Often overthink every move—what to wear, how to speak, when to crack a joke, and whether or not to compliment her hair too soon.
- Girls: Usually come prepared with conversation starters, an exit strategy (just in case), and a mental list of red flags to look out for.
The internal panic is real for both sides, even if they express it differently.
The Kiss Conundrum: Overthinking vs. Going With the Flow
Ah, the infamous first-date kiss. Should it happen? Should it wait? The answer? It depends.
- Boys: Often hesitate, wondering, “Is she expecting it?” “Would it be too soon?” “Do I lean in now or wait for the right moment?”
- Girls: More often than not, they already know what they want before the date even starts. If they feel the chemistry, they’ll send signals. If they don’t, they’ll make it clear with subtle body language.
Video : The Only Dating Advice You’ll Ever Need!
This dynamic is what makes the image so hilariously relatable. The glue represents the hesitation, slow response, and nervous buildup on the guy’s end, while the waterfall symbolizes confidence, flow, and certainty from the girl’s side.
Common First-Date Awkward Moments
1. The Silence That Feels Like Forever
The dreaded awkward silence. It happens when nerves take over, and both people forget how to carry a conversation.
Tip: Have a few go-to topics ready. Movies, travel, food, and hobbies are safe bets. Just avoid talking about exes!
2. The Bill Battle: Who Pays?
This one always sparks debate. Some still follow traditional etiquette (the guy pays), while others prefer to split or take turns.
Tip: Be ready for anything. If he insists on paying, let him. If she offers, don’t argue too much. Just don’t make it awkward.
3. The Goodbye Moment
This is when things can get really confusing. Should you hug? Shake hands? Kiss? Walk away with a simple “see you soon”?
Tip: Pay attention to body language. If they linger, they probably want a bit more time with you. If they step back, take the hint.
How to Make a First Date Less Awkward
1️⃣ Be Yourself: Seriously, pretending to be someone you’re not will only make things worse in the long run.
2️⃣ Keep It Light: First dates are about fun and connection, not a life-altering commitment.
3️⃣ Laugh It Off: If something awkward happens, laugh about it! Humor can turn an embarrassing moment into a bonding experience.
Video : 11 Obvious Signs He’s Interested in You After the First Date
Final Thoughts
First dates are unpredictable, exciting, and sometimes nerve-wracking. But that’s what makes them unforgettable. The key is to enjoy the moment, embrace the awkwardness, and just go with the flow—whether you’re the glue or the waterfall.
For those who have been through it, you know the feeling. And for those yet to experience it—get ready for a ride!
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