“That makes you believe in fate,” said “Finding Your Roots” host Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Wicked star Kristin Chenoweth stunned by freaky Wizard of Oz connection in family tree: ‘That’s nuts’

"That makes you believe in fate," said "Finding Your Roots" host Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Joey Nolfi is a senior writer at *. *Since 2016, his work at EW includes *RuPaul's Drag Race* video interviews, Oscars predictions, and more.

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February 25, 2026 11:15 a.m. ET

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Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda in 'Wicked' on Broadway; Billie Burke as Glinda in 'The Wizard of Oz'. Credit:

ITV/Shutterstock; MGM

*Wicked* star Kristin Chenoweth was changed — and stunned — for good on the latest episode of PBS' *Finding Your Roots* genealogy docuseries.

The 57-year-old Tony winner appeared on the newest installment of the popular program, where host Henry Louis Gates Jr. informed her of a wild family connection to *The Wizard of Oz* legacy beyond her own involvement playing Glinda in the iconic film's stage-based spin-off in 2003 on Broadway.

In a new clip (below), Chenoweth reads an old newspaper clipping touting a stage production of *The Wizard of Oz, *as she reads,* *"The cast for *The* *Wizard* is as follows. Oz: Billy Eugene Ethridge. Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me?"

Ethridge is a relative of Chenoweth's, as noted in the episode, with Chenoweth expressing deep shock over his prior ties to the *Wizard* legacy before she took the stage as Glinda.

Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel in 'Wicked' on Broadway.

Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

"Oh my gosh, is that not freaky? That's nuts," Chenoweth said. "*The Wizard of Oz*? Wow. Well, we were a lot alike."

Gates Jr. then pointed out that the pair were connected in more ways: "Growing up, Billy was in productions of *The King & I*, *A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,* and he also participated in a dance revue, a music club, and the school choir," he told Chenoweth.

"You know, I think of Billy as a rockabilly, he was an incredible guitarist and also pianist, but I don't think of him as this music theater kid, but he was!" replied the actress, as Gates Jr. told her, "That makes you believe in fate."

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Chenoweth ended the segment by telling the host, "I wish he was alive so I could just be like, 'Look at this!'"

In addition to Chenoweth, *The View* cohost Sara Haines was also recently overwhelmed by discovering a major notable family connection on *Finding Your Roots*.

The talk show personality worked with Gates Jr. to uncover secrets of her lineage, including her relation to two former United States presidents — namely John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams, both of whom served as president.

Haines broke down in tears upon learning the information, telling Gates Jr., "Oh my God. I'm related to a president! And he was a good one!"

*Finding Your Roots* airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on PBS. Watch Chenoweth's shock over discovering her family's *Wizard of Oz* connection in the clip above.

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