34 American Celebrities Who Are of Caribbean Descent

The Caribbean has had an immeasurable impact on global culture, music, food, and style. But some of the biggest icons in American entertainment, sports, and politics don’t just love the islands, their roots are deeply embedded in them. From Hollywood A-listers and chart-topping musicians to history-making athletes, here are 34 American celebrities who are proudly of Caribbean descent.

1. Rihanna (Barbados)

The ultimate island girl turned global billionaire mogul. Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born and raised in Barbados, and she frequently returns home, even being named a National Hero of Barbados in 2021.

2. Nicki Minaj (Trinidad & Tobago)

Born Onika Tanya Maraj in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago, the “Queen of Rap” moved to Queens, New York, as a child but has always fiercely repped her Indo- and Afro-Trinidadian heritage.

3. Cardi B (Dominican Republic & Trinidad)

Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar grew up in the Bronx with a Dominican father and a Trinidadian mother, a vibrant blend that heavily influences her music, personality, and love for Caribbean food.

4. Lenny Kravitz (Bahamas)

The rock legend’s mother, actress Roxie Roker, was of Bahamian descent. Lenny spends a massive chunk of his time living a relaxed, creative life on the island of Eleuthera.

5. Wyclef Jean (Haiti)

A true ambassador for his homeland, Wyclef was born in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, before moving to the US. His music with The Fugees and his solo work are permanently infused with Haitian culture.

6. Busta Rhymes (Jamaica)

Born Trevor George Smith Jr. in Brooklyn, both of his parents are Jamaican immigrants. His fast-paced, rhythmic delivery heavily mirrors traditional dancehall toasting.

7. Jason Derulo (Haiti)

The multi-platinum pop star was born in Florida to Haitian parents and has frequently spoken about how his Haitian household shaped his work ethic and musical ear.

8. Maxwell (Haiti & Puerto Rico)

The neo-soul icon brings an incredible mix of cultures to his smooth sound, born to a Haitian mother and a Puerto Rican father.

9. Kelis (Puerto Rico)

The “Milkshake” singer and chef boasts a diverse background, including a mother of Chinese and Puerto Rican descent.

10. Zoe Saldaña (Dominican Republic & Puerto Rico)

The queen of sci-fi blockbusters (Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy) was born to a Dominican father and a Puerto Rican mother, even spending part of her childhood living in the D.R.

11. Kerry Washington (Jamaica)

The Scandal star’s mother is of Jamaican descent. Kerry has shared how proud she is of her Caribbean lineage and the strong women in her family tree.

12. Sheryl Lee Ralph (Jamaica)

An absolute icon of stage and screen, the Emmy-winning Abbott Elementary star is the daughter of a prominent Jamaican fashion designer and frequently celebrates her deep island ties.

13. Lin-Manuel Miranda (Puerto Rico)

The brilliant mind behind Hamilton and In the Heights is a passionate advocate for Puerto Rico, where his parents immigrated from and where he spent his childhood summers.

14. Rosario Dawson (Puerto Rico & Cuba)

Rosario’s heritage is a rich mix, with her mother being of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, giving her deep roots in America’s neighboring islands.

15. Nia Long (Trinidad & Tobago & Grenada)

The beloved star of The Best Man and Boyz n the Hood has roots that trace back to Trinidad and Grenada on her mother’s side.

16. Garcelle Beauvais (Haiti)

The actress and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star was born in Saint-Marc, Haiti, and moved to the United States as a child, consistently using her platform to uplift Haitian culture.

17. Tatyana Ali (Trinidad & Panama)

Best known as Ashley Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Tatyana’s father is of Indo-Trinidadian descent, while her mother hails from Panama.

18. Corbin Bleu (Jamaica)

The High School Musical star got his rhythmic talents honest, his father, actor David Reivers, is of Jamaican descent.

19. Sidney Poitier (Bahamas)

The first Black man to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, Poitier was born unexpectedly in Miami to Bahamian parents but raised in the Bahamas, holding dual citizenship throughout his historic life.

20. Cicely Tyson (Nevis)

The late, legendary actress who redefined roles for Black women in Hollywood was born in Harlem to immigrant parents from the small Caribbean island of Nevis.

21. Harry Belafonte (Jamaica & Martinique)

The late activist and “King of Calypso” introduced Caribbean music to the global stage. He was born in New York to a Jamaican mother and a father from Martinique.

22. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Trinidad)

One of the greatest basketball players of all time discovered later in life that his family’s roots trace back to Trinidad, a history he has written about beautifully.

23. Carmelo Anthony (Puerto Rico)

The NBA superstar proudly wears his heritage on his sleeve, his late father was Puerto Rican, and Carmelo has heavily invested in community and sports programs on the island.

24. Derek Jeter (Puerto Rico)

The legendary New York Yankees captain gets his Latin roots from his mother, Dorothy, who is of Puerto Rican descent.

25. Jennifer Lopez (Puerto Rico)

Known globally as “Jenny from the Block,” J-Lo was raised in the Bronx by Puerto Rican parents. Throughout her massive career as a pop star, dancer, and actress, she has consistently championed her Boricua heritage, perhaps most famously during her spectacular 2020 Super Bowl halftime performance.

26. Marc Anthony (Puerto Rico)

Born Marco Antonio Muñiz in New York City, the top-selling tropical salsa artist of all time was named after a famous Mexican singer, but his roots are entirely Puerto Rican. His music helped revolutionize the global Latin pop explosion, blending traditional Afro-Caribbean rhythms with modern pop.

27. LL Cool J (Barbados)

The hip-hop pioneer, actor, and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer (born James Todd Smith) has deep Bajan roots through his maternal grandparents. He has frequently spoken about how his grandfather’s discipline and West Indian heritage shaped his unstoppable work ethic.

28. Meagan Good (Puerto Rico & Barbados)

The Think Like a Man and Harlem actress boasts a rich cultural background. Her maternal grandmother is of African-Bahamian and tribal descent, while her paternal lineage includes deep Afro-Boricua and Bajan roots.

29. Tyga (Jamaica)

Born Micheal Ray Stevenson, the multi-platinum rapper grew up in Compton, California, in a household deeply influenced by his heritage. He is of Vietnamese and Jamaican descent, inheriting his Caribbean roots from his father’s side of the family.

30. Stacey Dash (Barbados)

The actress, best known for her iconic role as Dionne Davenport in the 1995 pop-culture classic Clueless, possesses a mix of African American and Aztec Mexican heritage, alongside deep West Indian roots tracing back to Barbados.

31. Reagan Gomez-Preston (Puerto Rico)

Beloved for her roles in The Parent ‘Hood and as the voice of Roberta Tubbs on The Cleveland Show, Reagan was born to a Detroit-born father and a mother of Afro-Puerto Rican descent, proudly representing her Latina roots throughout her time in Hollywood.

32. Jharrel Jerome (Dominican Republic)

The brilliant young actor made history as the first Afro-Latino to win an Emmy for acting for his harrowing performance in When They See Us. Born in the Bronx, Jharrel is of Dominican descent and has openly spoken about the pride he takes in representing Afro-Latino identity on screen.

33. Roxane Gay (Haiti)

The critically acclaimed author of Bad Feminist and Hunger, and the first Black woman to write for Marvel Comics, is the daughter of Haitian immigrants. Her powerful cultural critiques and literary works frequently draw upon themes of diaspora, identity, and strength.

34. Colin Powell (Jamaica)

The late, historic military general and first Black U.S. Secretary of State was born in Harlem to Jamaican immigrants, Luther and Maud Powell. He frequently credited his parents’ traditional West Indian upbringing and emphasis on education as the foundation for his historic rise in American politics.