7 celebrities you didn't know have Cincinnati connections

What comes to mind when you think of famous Cincinnatians? Most might say 98 Degrees brothers Drew and Nick Lachey. Or maybe Sarah Jessica Parker from "Sex and the City."

But whether it's Drake name-dropping the Queen City in his eighth studio album or Kelly Clarkson shouting out a local Downtown eatery on X (formerly known as Twitter), many more celebs hold Cincinnati near and dear to their hearts than one might think.

It's just like they say – you can take the person out of Cincinnati, but you can't take the Cincinnati spirit out of the person.

Here are seven celebrities you didn't know have Cincinnati connections.

7 unlikely celebrities with Cincinnati connections

1. Actor Cate Blanchett

Australian actor Cate Blanchett discovered the charm of Cincinnati when she came to the area in 2014 to film her 1950s-era drama "Carol."

“It’s been phenomenal shooting in Cincinnati actually,” Blanchett gushed in a press interview for the movie. “The architecture here is phenomenal... There’s so many beautiful buildings that haven’t been... gentrified."

"Everyone, the fire department and police have been so cooperative," she added.

2. TikTok personality Dylan Mulvaney

Many might know actor Dylan Mulvaney for her massive TikTok following or for taking her transgender activism all the way to the White House. But few people know that she is also a University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music alumna.

Before moving to Cincinnati for school, Mulvaney grew up in San Diego, California.

3. 'Late Night' host Jimmy Fallon

Last December, TV personality Jimmy Fallon revealed his love for Cincinnati chili while hosting "The Tonight Show."

A Queen City resident who identified himself as Giovanni was randomly selected as the winner of Fallon's "12 Days of Christmas Sweaters" segment. When Giovanni went to collect his new festive sweater on stage, he told Fallon he was from Cincinnati.

"I've been to Cincinnati when it's cold and – man, oh, man – there's nothing like having the pasta with the chili on it," the talk show host said.

4. Black Veil Brides lead singer Andrew Dennis Biersack

Born in Cincinnati, 32-year-old Andrew Dennis Biersack formed the band that would later become Black Veil Brides when he was just 14 years old.

Biersack graduated from the School for Creative and Performing Arts and moved to Los Angeles shortly thereafter. Black Veil Brides released their sixth studio album, "The Phantom Tomorrow," in 2021 and are currently on tour in Europe.

5. TikTok star Caroline Ricke

Cincinnati native Caroline Ricke began making sketch comedy videos on YouTube in 2018 with parodies like  “Harvard Acceptance Reaction” and “A Day in the Life of Harvard Biomedical Engineering Student."

Since then, she's amassed over 3 million TikTok followers creating comedy videos under a fake rich girl persona, "RichCaroline."

6. Rapper Jack Harlow

Most know Billboard Music Award-winning rapper Jack Harlow for his mega-hits "Industry Baby" and "First Class." A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Harlow has paid homage to his roots in several of his songs.

But, few might know that Harlow is also a Cincinnati Bengals fan.

The rapper gave injured Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow a shoutout during his performance at Northern Kentucky University's Truist Arena. The moment was captured in a TikTok video shared on X by Cincy Shirts.

"Shoutout to that boy Joe Burrow," Harlow told the crowd, which responded with a loud ovation. "He'll be back in no time. I checked on him. He said, 'I'll be back in no time.' Don't even worry. He'll be back for the Super Bowl. He'll be back for the Super Bowl. Don't worry."

7. Singer-songwriter John Legend

Most might not guess that Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award-winning artist John Legend has Ohio ties. He was born in Springfield, Ohio – about an hour from Cincinnati. He's also a huge Bengals fan.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 7 celebrities you didn't know have Cincinnati connections