Famous Siblings Who Carved Their Own Lanes In The Entertainment Industry

Within music, acting, and every other realm of the entertainment industry, several acts have emerged from the shared backgrounds of their famous siblings to forge their own distinct careers.

The term “Nepo-siblings,” which they are occasionally called, does not fully encompass these individuals’ unique contributions. These entertainers are not just the brother or sister of notable stars but are equally as talented and recognized. One famous example of this is the Kardashian and Jenner clan. Kim Kardashian was the sibling’s inaugural star, which helped launch the careers of sisters Kourtney, Khloe, Kylie, and Kendall and brother Rob. While the only boy in the family is much more elusive these days, each of his sisters is now some of the biggest influencers in the world, with countless businesses and massive net worths. 

Luckily for us, such famous siblings are not an anomaly. Many of our favs have successfully built their own fanbases after their well-known family members were already in the spotlight. 

Solange Knowles

Grammy Award-winning singer, visual artist, and all-around performer Solange Knowles has long gone her own route. From starring in films such as “Johnson Family Vacation” and “Bring It On: All Or Nothing” to releasing acclaimed albums such as “Solo Star” and “A Seat at the Table,” she has been privileged to never live in the shadows of her older sister, Beyoncé. 

Ray J

Much like Solange Knowles, Ray J began acting early, appearing in sister Brandy’s sitcom, “Moesha.” He released his first album in 1997, “Everything You Want.” However, in the early 2000s, his music career took off with his smash hit “Wait a Minute.” From there, Ray delivered other classics such as “One Wish” and “Sexy Can I.” Aside from timeless records, he also excelled in reality television with shows “For the Love of Ray J,” “Brandy & Ray J,” and “Love & Hip-Hop Hollywood.“ His corporate ventures, such as Scoot-E Bikes and his Tronix Network, have also proved lucrative moves for Ray.

Willow Smith

Willow Smith stepped onto the scene several years after her brother Jaden became a household name for his 2006 performance in “The Pursuit of Happyness.“ Willow unveiled her track, “Whip My Hair,“ in 2010, which quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Today, she continues to unveil new music, with her latest release “Empathogen,“ attracting mostly positive reviews. 

Evan Ross

Much like Willow Smith, who has famous parents and brother, Evan Ross happens to be the son of legendary singer Diana Ross. If that weren’t exciting enough, his big sister is model turned-actor Tracee Ellis Ross. While this may be pressure for some, Evan has done a stellar job of making a name for himself in film. Since his breakout role in 2006’s “ATL,” he has starred in several others, including “Pride” and “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” to name a few. 

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Lisa Raye

Actor Lisa Raye launched their career two years after younger sister Da Brat stepped onto the scene. Brat released her first album, “Funkdafied,” in 1994, and by 1996, Raye had landed her first starring role in the independent film, “Reasons.“ This was also the same year she made a cameo in Tupac Shakur’s video for “Toss It Up.“ She is most widely known for portraying Diamond in the 1997 cult classic, “The Players Club.“ However, she has appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows. 

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Ming Li

Ming Li, Nicki Minaj’s younger sister, has recently begun babystepping her way into the music industry and is not looking for any handouts to do so. While the 18-year-old has not released many tunes yet, she recently revealed during a “We In Miami“ podcast that she was eager to show the world what she was capable of. 

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