All The Celebrity Relatives Revealed On Claim To Fame Season 2

Brothers Kevin and Franklin Jonas are back for another round of sleuthing in Claim to Fame Season 2. Throughout the course of ABC’s summer reality show, a group of 12 secret celebrity relatives attempt to hide their identities while living together in a mansion and competing in challenges — all for the $100,000 grand prize, and, yes, their own “claim to fame.” Among the Season 2 cast are relatives of “some huge names,” as Franklin put it in the June 26 premiere, including Academy Award winners, Grammy winners, Emmy winners, world leaders, hall of famers, and “literal legends.”

Following 2022’s inaugural season — which Keke Palmer’s sister Loreal “L.C.” Palmer won — the so-called “bonus Jonas” added in an ABC promo video that the stakes “are so much bigger” for the contestants. “They’ve seen what strategies can do for . . . people who made it to the end,” Franklin added. “This season we’re just gonna see so much more personal dynamics change the way this game can be played. And I think we’re honestly just gonna see it played more.”

Kevin, for his part, chimed in with his advice for the Season 2 contestants: “Don’t be so nice.” Pointing to Season 1 missteps of “giving information away,” the musician advised, “You’re still trying to win the money. . . . Don’t tell them who you’re related to.”

Not everyone heeded those words of warning, though. Here are all the celebrity relatives revealed on Claim to Fame Season 2.

Carly Is Tom Hanks’ Niece

Such telling clues as a Forrest Gump bench led the cast to quickly figure out that “Carly” is Tom Hanks’ niece, Carly Reeves. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she appeared as a “mean girl” opposite Hilary Duff in 2004’s Raise Your Voice and also had parts alongside her Oscar-winning uncle in Charlie Wilson’s War and Larry Crowne. Now primarily acting in commercials, the 39-year-old showed off her formal drama training with an epic post-elimination meltdown. “At first, I was a little embarrassed, but, also, I know myself,” Carly, whose mom is Rita Wilson’s sister, tells Bustle. “I thought it was hilarious because I’ve had temper tantrums since I was a kid.”

Travis Is Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Son

After pulling Shayne’s clue put a target on his back, “Travis” was unmasked as astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson’s 22-year-old son, Travis Tyson, in the July 3 guess-off elimination. The recent NYU grad’s famous father even sent a video message telling Travis that he and his wife, Alice Young, are proud of him. “He’s smart, I guess,” Travis joked of his dad, after showing smarts run in the family by reciting Pi to the first 100 places during the premiere’s talent show. As it turns out, this isn’t the first ABC reality show Travis has appeared on: As a teen, he competed alongside Neil on a 2017 episode of the Steve Harvey-hosted Celebrity Family Feud.

Shayne Is Eddie Murphy’s Daughter

Even before her identity was officially confirmed, most of the housemates figured out that “Shayne” is Eddie Murphy’s daughter, Shayne Audra Murphy. Thanks to Jane deciphering the clue Travis pulled, the 28-year-old model’s dead giveaways was a reference to her father’s Saturday Night Live Buckwheat character, leading the cast to figure out clues that pointed to the Grammy-winning comedian’s roles in Coming to America and Shrek. After Cole unexpectedly unmasked her in the fourth episode’s Guess Off, Shayne gushed that Murphy is “the best dad in the world.” The Oscar nominee, for his part, also sent his “beautiful baby girl” a loving video message, encouraging her to “come on back home.” Outside of Claim to Fame, Shayne, whose mother is Nicole Murphy, also shows off her cooking skills on her Shayne’s Kitchen Instagram account.

Jane Is Dolly Parton’s Niece

After incorrectly guessing that Chris is related to Elvis Presley in Episode 3, “Jane” was revealed to be Dolly Parton’s niece and fellow musician, Jada Star, aka Jada Andersen. “She’s my everything,” the Dollywood performer gushed, before the country icon appeared in a pre-recorded video message to say how “proud” she is of her niece. In her goodbye speech, Jada, who sang on Parton’s 2020 A Holly Dolly Christmas album, tearfully added that her reason for joining Claim to Fame was to be able to tell the world that her beloved aunt is “exactly what you hope she is.”

Hugo Is Jimmy Carter’s Grandson

The cast figured out early on that Hugo is former President Jimmy Carter’s grandson, Hugo Wentzel, and his identity was confirmed during the Episode 7 Guess-Off. The son of Amy Carter and James Wentzel, the 23-year-old contestant shared an emotional update on his Nobel Prize-winning grandfather’s health, following his elimination. “He’s recently been put into hospice because he has been very sick,” Hugo told his tearful co-stars. “I love you so much, Papa. You are amazing, and I will do everything I can to keep your legacy alive. Lead with love.”

Cole Is Alicia Keys’ Brother

By the end of Episode 4, Monay had already pieced together that Cole is Alicia Keys’ half-brother, Cole Cook, pointing to his connection to a Grammy-winning singer with clues involving a “diary” and “keys.” Earlier, the 32-year-old, who reportedly dated Emma Watson in 2019, also seemed sure the Swiss cheese statue was his clue, a likely nod to brother-in-law Swizz Beatz. As one of the only Season 2 cast members whose Instagram remained public as Claim to Fame aired, Cole, a co-founder of the Timeless Eye content-creation agency, had photos with his famous sibling (and her kids) readily available on social media prior to his reveal. After Karsyn correctly guessed Cole’s identity, ABC played a video message from the “queen of R&B,” in which she talked about their “special, special bond” and how proud she is of her younger brother for stepping outside his comfort zone. “You always kill it, you always leave your mark everywhere you go,” the 15-time Grammy winner gushed, adding, “I love you for life.”

Olivia Is Jenny McCarthy’s Niece

Heading into Episode 6, Olivia remained one of Season 2’s biggest mysteries. When they incorrectly guessed that Karsyn is related to Jeff Gordon, Olivia was revealed to be “funny (Playboy) bunny” Jenny McCarthy’s niece, Olivia Aquilina. “Jenny is amazing, she’s so down to earth, an amazing person, and an amazing aunt,” the Los Angeles-based cinematographer gushed after their elimination. The Masked Singer judge, who tweeted a photo of her “gorgeous niece” in 2015, returned the love in a video message, saying, “I’m so proud of you, Liv, you’re just the greatest and the sweetest. And I just can’t wait for the world to get to see who you are, my wonderful niece.”

J.R. Is Lil Nas X’s Brother

Prior to J.R.’s Episode 8 elimination, the cast had already figured out that he is related to rapper Lil Nas X. Confirming their assumption, the Grammy winner sent a video message to his “annoying big brother, Robert,” saying he’s thankful for all the support and love he’s given him. Introducing himself as Robert Lamar Stafford Jr., the self-described actor and TV personality, aka Robert Sleepy, previously used the Twitter handle “BigBroSleepyX” and has defended Lil Nas X from homophobic attacks online. In his goodbye speech, JR tearfully explained how the “Old Town Road” artist “opened [his] eyes so much” to the LGBTQ+ communities. “He taught me, like, man, just be yourself,” he shared. “I’m blessed to have him as a little brother, man.”

Karsyn Is Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Niece

Fourth-place finisher Karsyn is professional race car driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s niece, Karsyn Elledge. Having participated in racing herself since she was a preteen, Karsyn said that “it’s been cool to represent” her family, which also includes her late grandfather, Dale Earnhardt Sr. In a pre-recorded video message, her famous uncle said, “I know you wanted to win. We just all wanted you to have a great time,” adding that he hopes she enjoyed all the challenges in her journey.

Chris Is Donny Osmond’s Son

Though he stumped his fellow competitors all season, Chris finished in third place, revealing that he is Donny Osmond’s son, Chris Osmond. “There have been many years not feeling like I can’t measure up to a legend. I’ve dealt with this my whole life, of being in the shadow of somebody else,” Chris tearfully explained post-elimination. “And this is the moment where I have left that shadow and created my own identity.” According to his website, Chris is a father and musician who previously worked for Disney’s animation studios in Burbank, California.

Monay Is J.B. Smoove’s Daughter

“My dad is my hero. I look up to him every day,” Claim to Fame Season 2 runner-up Jerrica Brooks said after the finale revealed that she is actor and comedian J.B. Smoove’s daughter. “I couldn’t be prouder to have him as my father, and I hope that he’s proud of me.” Indeed, the Curb Your Enthusiasm star gushed in his video message that he knew her personality and big smile would pull her through, concluding, “I’m so proud of you.” According to her LinkedIn, Jerrica is a Los Angeles-based business development manager who holds a psychology degree from The City College of New York.

Gabriel Is Nick Cannon’s Brother

The Claim to Fame Season 2 winner is Nick Cannon’s “little” brother, Gabriel Cannon. “My dad gave Nick his big old camera and we became his little actors, and that’s kind of why he became the youngest staff writer in Hollywood and created the show Wild 'N Out,” Gabriel, who’s also a musician, shared, adding that he’s also had the “privilege of going on tour” with Nick’s ex, “Miss Mariah Carey,” and that the 2002 movie Drumline changed his life. As Nick joked in a video message, “Gabriel is my little brother — even though he’s way bigger than me. . . . Enjoy that new claim to fame. Loan me some money.”