Julia Roberts, the Hollywood icon we've come to adore, has a story that's even more captivating than we could imagine. Stepping onto the stage of 'Finding Your Roots,' a show renowned for unearthing hidden family histories, Julia embarked on a journey of discovery. Little did she know, a riveting twist awaited her – a revelation that defied all expectations.
In a moment that left her utterly astounded, Julia's encounter with a shocking DNA test result unfolded, reshaping her understanding of her own lineage. Brace yourselves for a tale that transcends the silver screen – a glimpse into Julia Roberts's personal odyssey, where surprises await at every turn.
So, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the host, starts by introducing Julia to her great-grandfather, John Pendleton Roberts. He was born in 1878, according to the family, to Willis R. Roberts and Rhoda Suttle. However, guess what? Willis R. Roberts died in 1864, more than ten years before Julia's great-grandfather was born, according to the ancestry tree.
“But wait, am I not a Roberts?” asked the Oscar-winning actress as she came to the realization that Willis R. Roberts couldn’t possibly be her great-great-grandfather. The host continued to explain that they kept searching through the records to uncover the identity of Julia's true great-great-grandfather. Sadly, the records provided no information about her great-grandfather's father, pushing them to resort to DNA testing.
They discovered a man named Henry McDonald Mitchell Jr. after delving deeper into the search. "So we're Mitchells?" Julia was perplexed as she learned the true name of her biological great-great-grandfather for the first time.
The host confirmed, “You’re Julia Mitchell. You are not a Roberts, biologically.” The actress was rendered speechless, and all she could say at the time was, "Wow."
Julia shared her thoughts on the findings after letting the information sink in: “On the one hand, I’m truly blown away. It’s fascinating. But on the other hand, there’s a part of me that, when I’m calmer, can still embrace the idea that my family is my family. And I do prefer the name, Roberts!”
Julia certainly keeps her well-known last name, but it's evident that the Roberts family will have many to discuss when their family has the next dinner.
This discovery left her speechless, but she will always be a Roberts — the iconic actress who chose to forego fame and career to devote herself to her family.
What do you think about her reaction? Let us know in the comments below!