Pharrell Makes a Harrowing Discovery About His Ancestors | Finding Your Roots | Ancestry®

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Published 2021-02-19
Producer and Grammy winner Pharrell Williams reflects on the depth of his family ties to enslavement after reading an excerpt from an interview involving his ancestor on Finding Your Roots.
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Pharrell Reacts to Family History in Finding Your Roots | Ancestry
youtube.com/user/AncestryCom

00:00 Introduction
0:25 Pharrell finds extraordinary family document
1:01 Pharrell reads his 3rd great-aunt’s written words
2:28 Pharrell 3rd great-grandfather’s tragic childhood
2:57 Pharrell’s emotional reaction

All Comments (21)
  • @Ericairline
    Pharrell’s been in his 20’s for 20 years.
  • @-Bloomingtales
    “I don’t want to cry and I’m trying not to be angry” I felt that and I feel this every day.
  • @user-pu1kw2pq8i
    i’m 28 and my great-great grandfather was born enslaved in 1850. His son was born 1887. My grandmother born 1916 and my father born 1957. I was born in 1995. all had kids around age 40 so it’s not too many generations back. I found PHOTOS of my gg grandfather today and learned what county/plantation he and my great great grandmother lived on. mindblowing
  • @KSBMOFFICIAL
    When he said, "I am trying not to be angry and I'm trying not to cry." I felt that in my soul. My sentiments exactly 💯
  • @JERZGIRL201
    This is why it’s so important to write a family book for your children to pass down. Imagine discussing 2020 in our own words, instead of learning about it in a history book, or distorted Instagram clips 100 years later.
  • @grassfedcharlie
    That’s just TWO generations ago. That so crazy how recent slavery still is. Wow
  • @fabriannnaa6788
    I feel that it’s important to know and understand our ancestors pain and sufferings. So we can be more appreciative and grateful for the life we now have.
  • @aGwEENapple
    "You're not a machine. This was horrendous"
    So touching. A lot of our first reactions is to say "I will not cry" .
  • @aliciad8553
    "It's intense, sir. It's intense." Love that fame hasn't removed Pharrell's humbleness and polite manners.
  • @mikeygoodboi
    His responses got to me. Everyone knows that it happened and THEN you see pictures, dates and hear their words, and all of a sudden you're inside of the story
  • @SunnyIlha
    He was shook up very intensely.

    As he read his Aunt's testimony,
    His soul visibly trembled.
  • @brit8802
    The host is the loveliest, what he says at the end is maybe the most hopeful and truthful thing I’ve heard a ‘show’ host say in a zillion years.
  • @donnamck8324
    “You’re not a machine. What else can you feel?” - Absolutely
  • @messily1456
    "You're not a machine. This was horrendous. How else would you feel?" That struck my heart. I'm so grateful for the fullness of emotion. Therein lies understanding.
  • @michbankhead
    To the people that say "it wasn't you." When I hear about the pain my ancestors endured I am always brought to tears. If it doesn't make you emotional there might be something wrong with you
  • Out of all the interviews in 'Finding Your Roots' this one was the most profound. Beautifully done, honest and sincere. Sending hugs to Pharrell.
  • @marzouk6270
    To think his great grandma never knew her great grandson would be a famous, rich an respected man in America.
  • @johncollins3046
    “ I don’t want to cry and I’m trying not to be angry” - Pharrell

    Sums up our lives past & present

    We persevere