Dedrick's Celebrity Relative on 'Claim to Fame' Is a Superstar and a Household Name
'Claim to Fame's Dedrick comes from a famous family.
![Allison DeGrushe - Author](https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/NH6Jy2EGT/200x200/allison-degrushe-headshot-1-1632780540988.jpg)
Updated Aug. 7 2024, 10:22 p.m. ET
![Dedrick poses in front of a gray background for his official portrait for Season 3 of 'Claim to Fame.'](https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/KPWdkBs6V/480x251/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-1-1720639162398.jpg 480w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/KPWdkBs6V/640x335/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-1-1720639162398.jpg 640w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/KPWdkBs6V/768x402/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-1-1720639162398.jpg 768w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/KPWdkBs6V/1024x536/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-1-1720639162398.jpg 1024w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/KPWdkBs6V/1280x670/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-1-1720639162398.jpg 1280w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/KPWdkBs6V/1440x753/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-1-1720639162398.jpg 1440w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/KPWdkBs6V/1600x837/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-1-1720639162398.jpg 1600w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/KPWdkBs6V/2160x1130/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-1-1720639162398.jpg 2160w)
Season 3 of ABC's hit reality competition series Claim to Fame has all the nepo babies taking over the famous Hummingbird Nest Ranch! Among this season's cast is Dedrick, who, like his castmates, is vying for that $100,000 grand prize. Well, he was anyway, until he was surprisingly eliminated in the Aug. 7 episode.
Ahead of Dedrick's elimination, there was a lot of speculation on who he is related to. And now that we know who his famous relative is (or, Dedrick's case, multiple relatives), let's take a look at the clues that got us here.
![Dedrick shows off the origami he made during the talent show in Season 3 of 'Claim to Fame.'](https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/ZdVCuIexy/480x252/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-2-1720639178019.jpg 480w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/ZdVCuIexy/640x335/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-2-1720639178019.jpg 640w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/ZdVCuIexy/768x402/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-2-1720639178019.jpg 768w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/ZdVCuIexy/1024x536/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-2-1720639178019.jpg 1024w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/ZdVCuIexy/1280x670/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-2-1720639178019.jpg 1280w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/ZdVCuIexy/1440x754/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-2-1720639178019.jpg 1440w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/ZdVCuIexy/1600x838/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-2-1720639178019.jpg 1600w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/ZdVCuIexy/2160x1131/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-2-1720639178019.jpg 2160w)
Dedrick from 'Claim to Fame' is related to Michael Jackson!
While Dedrick's famous family connection was once a tantalizing mystery, we now know that Dedrick is related to none other than the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. Dedrick's father is Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson, and Dedrick's real name is Sigmund Esco Jackson, Jr. Dedrick is sent packing in the Aug. 7 episode when he incorrectly guesses who Adam is related to.
Leading up to Season 3 of Claim to Fame, the cast spilled some secrets — two truths and a lie — about their celebrity relatives.
Dedrick's are as follows:
- My celebrity relative is my: Uncle
- My celebrity relative is best known for being a: Singer
- The biggest award my celebrity relative has won: Best Rock Song
We now know that the third clue was the lie.
Some fans thought Dedrick's celebrity relative might be Smokey Robinson, Luther Vandross, or Michael Jackson.
Ahead of his elimination, the guesses for Dedrick's celebrity relative included Smokey Robinson, Luther Vandross, and Michael Jackson.
Smokey Robinson is an iconic R&B and soul singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and received the 2016 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize. He holds two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one as a solo artist and another with The Miracles. In 2022, he was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.
![Smokey Robinson, Luther Vandross, and Michael Jackson.](https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/egXKUHMuu/480x252/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-3-1720639268323.jpg 480w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/egXKUHMuu/640x335/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-3-1720639268323.jpg 640w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/egXKUHMuu/768x402/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-3-1720639268323.jpg 768w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/egXKUHMuu/1024x536/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-3-1720639268323.jpg 1024w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/egXKUHMuu/1280x670/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-3-1720639268323.jpg 1280w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/egXKUHMuu/1440x754/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-3-1720639268323.jpg 1440w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/egXKUHMuu/1600x838/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-3-1720639268323.jpg 1600w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/egXKUHMuu/2160x1131/who-is-dedrick-related-to-claim-to-fame-3-1720639268323.jpg 2160w)
Luther Vandross was a renowned soul and R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer. During his career, he earned 11 consecutive RIAA-certified platinum albums and sold more than 40 million records globally. On July 1, 2005, Luther passed away at JFK Medical Center in Edison, N.J., due to complications from a stroke. He was 54 years old.
And last but certainly not least, Michael Jackson, aka the King of Pop, was a celebrated singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. His influence on music, dance, and fashion, alongside his complex personal life, solidified his status as a global icon. He tragically passed away on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50, from cardiac arrest caused by a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose.
With a previous guess being Michael Jackson, Dedrick calling himself Mr. Jackson at one point in the house, and even saying ion a confessional that he is a "smooth criminal" (a clear callback to one of Michael's songs), the clues were there all along. If only Dedrick hadn't been incorrect in his own guess about one of the other players.
Claim to Fame airs on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EST on ABC. Stream the next day on Hulu.