Top 10 Surprise Guests on Black-ish

Black-ish, a show about a Black family navigating life in suburban America, had many exciting guest stars over its eight seasons. The show's creator, Kenya Barris, and the main cast, like Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, invited celebrities from music, sports, and politics to appear on the show. These stars added a fresh flavor to the episodes, often playing heightened versions of themselves. Some guests had real-life connections to the cast, while others were just big fans of the show. One of the most memorable guest appearances was Mary J. Blige in the season 1 finale. She played a speakeasy singer in a love story set in the 1920s. Blige's performance and her hit song "I'm Going Down" made the episode feel like a special event. Zendaya also made a guest appearance in season 2. She played a friend of Dre's daughter, Zoey, who helps Dre bond with his daughter. Zendaya's character, Resheida, appreciates Dre's involvement in her life, something Zoey initially didn't. This helps Zoey see her father in a new light. Michael Strahan, a former NFL player, guest-starred in season 2 as Dre's cousin, June Bug. Despite seeming like a typical guy from Compton, June Bug had a heart of gold. He went to jail protecting Dre, showing that looks can be deceiving. Tyra Banks, a childhood friend of the creator, Kenya Barris, played herself in two episodes. Her character, Gigi, is a pop star who is close with Dre. Their friendship is intimate but platonic, and it helps Bow understand herself better. Daveed Diggs and Rashida Jones also guest-starred as Bow's siblings. They help Bow understand her biracial identity better. Bow's character gets a prequel series, Mixed-ish, that delves deeper into these topics. Aloe Blacc, a Grammy-nominated singer, appeared in the season 4 premiere. He played himself and helped Dre teach the world about Juneteenth through music. Octavia Spencer played herself in a season 5 episode. She narrated a segment about unsung heroes, adding her unique charm and gravitas to the episode. Loretta Devine played Pops' love interest in several episodes. Her character, Lynnette, brought out a softer side in Pops and helped him grow as a person. The cast of the sitcom Girlfriends appeared as Bow's friends from college in season 6. This reunion added a fun and nostalgic touch to the episode. Finally, Michelle Obama played herself in the season 8 premiere. Her appearance showed how significant Black-ish had become by its final season. The Johnson family was thrilled to have her over for dinner.