Pharrell Williams
Williams in 2013, photo by Prphotos.com
Birth Name: Pharrell Lanscilo Williams
Place of Birth: Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
Date of Birth: April 5, 1973
Ethnicity: African-American
Pharrell Williams is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, and fashion designer. He is a member of the music duo The Neptunes, with Chad Hugo, and the rock band N.E.R.D, which also includes Chad. He is also known as Pharrell, Skateboard P, Sk8board, Auto Goon, Magnum, the Verb Lord; and Station Wagon P.
His parents, Carolyn L. (Hoggard) and Pharoah Williams, Jr., are both African-American. Pharrell is married to model Helen Lasichanh, with whom he has four children. He is said to be a cousin of musician, record producer, and DJ Timbaland.
Pharrell’s paternal grandfather was Pharoah/Pharaoh Williams, Sr. (the son of Cato Thomas Williams and Ora Cooper). Pharrell’s grandfather Pharoah was born in North Carolina. Cato was the son of Fenner Williams and Martha Alford. Fenner’s parents, Louis May and Louisa, were slaves, and Fenner likely also was born into slavery.
Pharrell’s paternal grandmother was Carol Lee “Carrie” Sills/Sears (the daughter of Mark Stamper Sills and Rebecca O’Niel/O’Neal). Carrie was born in North Carolina. Mark was the son of Ed Sills and Lucy Stamp. Rebecca was the daughter of Rufus O’Niel and Joanna Allen.
Pharrell’s maternal grandfather was Cleon Dorson Hoggard, Sr. (the son of James Edward Hoggard and Emma Edwards).
Pharrell’s maternal grandmother was Lucille Sarah Johnson (the daughter of Lee Edward Johnson and Sarah F. Lamb/Lambe).
Williams with wife Helen Lasichanh, 2014
An article published at “Diary of a Hollywood Street King” claimed that Pharrell’s mother is Filipino. This information is not accurate. Pharrell’s mother is African-American, and is pictured at the bottom right of this page. Also, for whatever reason, Ebony.com stated that Pharrell is of part Laotian descent. They may have confused Pharrell’s mother with Pharrell’s wife, Helen Lasichanh, who is of part Laotian descent.
Sources: Family history of Pharrell Williams, by Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak – https://www.megansmolenyak.com
Accompanying video – https://www.youtube.com
Diary of a Hollywood Street King article that makes the incorrect claim that Pharrell’s mother is Filipino – http://diaryofahollywoodstreetking.com
Genealogy of Pharrell Williams (focusing on his father’s side) – http://www.geni.com
He’s definitely denying his Asian side. This half-Asian M O N G R E L
Pharrell is NOT half-Filipino or half-Asian AT ALL. He’s the spitting image of his mother, who is a Black woman. Here’s Pharrell’s mother, Carolyn Williams, on the bottom right: http://www.nabfeme.org/?page_id=781
Great find. I was wondering about his ancestry.
His mom is Filipina. mixed and thats itusly you haven’t seen a Pacific islander (Filipino/Filipina) person before.. His best friend/co-member of the Neptunes Chad already confirmed it And his mom was in Pacific Islander pageant. Stop hating.. he’s mixef
His mom is Filipina. Obviously you haven’t seen a Pacific islander (Filipino/Filipina) person before.. His best friend/co-member of the Neptunes Chad already confirmed it And his mom was in a Pacific Islander pageant. Stop hating.. he’s mixed
I’ve seen loads of Pacific Islanders but Filipinos aren’t Pacific Islanders. Look up what islands comprise this group.
Filipinos are not Pacific Islanders and someone said his mum was Miss Asia Pacific 1971 when the person who won was Miss Guam Flora Baza. People should give definite proof and not just incorrect information.
Instead of just saying Africa, maybe it should say the country, if known (if a black person’s ancestors were slaves, it might not be known), Africa is a big continent, with many different types of people.
He’s half Asian too
He’s not, he’s Black.
That being said all African-Americans are mixed race, but Pharrell looks more admixed.