In an exclusive trailer premiere by PEOPLE, the upcoming season 12 of “Finding Your Roots” promises to deliver surprising and emotional revelations to its viewers. The PBS series, hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., delves into the family histories of various celebrities, including America Ferrera, Kristin Chenoweth, Spike Lee, Lizzo, Brittney Griner, and Darren Criss. The trailer showcases the stars’ reactions as they uncover shocking details about their ancestry, with Ava DuVernay being revealed as Ferrera’s cousin, leaving her stunned.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/America-Ferrera-Ava-Duvernay-100725-ac4c4e2642c046cf86db456728d19ef1.jpg)
The trailer kicks off with palpable nerves and excitement among the guests, such as Chris Paul admitting, “My palms are sweating.” The celebrities express their astonishment as they learn about their ancestors, with Flea discovering his “great-great grandma” and Chenoweth describing the experience as “freaky.” The likes of Rhiannon Giddens, Lizzy Caplan, Sanaa Lathan, and Barry Diller share their intense and scary feelings during the ancestry exploration, while Lizzo exclaims one revelation as “scandaloso.”
As the trailer progresses, emotions run high as the stars uncover surprising connections to fellow celebrities. Tears flow as Liza Colón-Zayas discovers an enslaved ancestor, reflecting on the heartbreaking reality of her family’s past. The trailer also reveals the heartwarming moment when Ferrera learns that Ava DuVernay is her cousin, eliciting a joyous reaction from the actress. The celebrities express gratitude and amazement as Gates presents them with their full family trees, with Sara Haines calling it the best gift she’s ever received.
The trailer concludes with Spike Lee declaring it as “one of the greatest days of my life,” and Barry Diller acknowledging the power of sharing truthful stories. The upcoming season also features stars like Wiz Khalifa, Tracy Letts, and Kate Burton, showcasing the interconnectedness of individuals and celebrating the diversity of backgrounds in America. Gates emphasises the series’ message of unity, highlighting that despite differences, we are all more alike than we think.
The season 12 premiere of “Finding Your Roots” is set for January 6 on PBS, offering viewers a captivating journey into the past of well-known personalities. With a mix of shocking revelations, heartfelt moments, and lessons in shared humanity, the upcoming season promises to be both enlightening and emotionally impactful. Stay tuned for an exploration of heritage, identity, and the ties that bind us all together on this compelling television series.
As viewers eagerly anticipate the premiere, the trailer stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of understanding where we come from. Through the lens of genealogy and ancestry, “Finding Your Roots” continues to shed light on the rich tapestry of American history and the diverse backgrounds that make up the fabric of society. Don’t miss out on this season’s illuminating journeys of self-discovery and connection as the stars of Hollywood embark on a quest to uncover their roots.