Anthony Ramoshas new insight into his family’s origins.
In a PEOPLE-exclusive clip from a new episode ofFinding Your Roots, an emotional Ramos uncovered information about his ancestors. While unpacking his genealogy with hostHenry Louis Gates Jr., theHamiltonactor, 32, learned that one of his predecessors was a Guanche enslaved man named Andrés. Gates, 73, then asked if Ramos had ever suspected that he was descended from an enslaved person.
“Explains why I got that fight in me, yo,” a tearful Ramos answered. “You know, I always had thoughts, like ‘What if,’ you know? You never know when you’re Puerto Rican or your family comes from one of the islands, you just don’t know.”
He continued, “It’s a mixed bag. You don’t know who’s from where, what happened, so I’ve definitely wondered.”
Although researchers couldn’t deduce how or how long Andrés was enslaved, Gates said that they “believe it was for at least 10 years.”
“That’s a long time to be a slave, man,” theIn the Heightsstar said.
Anthony Ramos.Henry Louis Gates, Jr./YouTube
Henry Louis Gates, Jr./YouTube
The Guanches were aborigines of the Canary Islands. According toOwlcation, the Spaniards began their invasion of the islands at the beginning of the 15th century. Tenerife — the last island to be conquered — fell to Spain in 1496, and the conquerors dispersed the Guanche population across the world as slaves.
Ramos has proudly touted his heritage since his breakthrough on Broadway. During a 2021 interview withThe Hollywood Reporter, the actorrecalled being told to disguise his ethnic identityto not “be in the ‘Latino box.’ ” WhenHamiltonwon a Grammy for best musical theater album in 2016, Ramos stood next to creatorLin-Manuel Mirandawaving a Puerto Rican flag.
Ahead of a 2022 NFL campaign for Latin Heritage Month, Ramostold PEOPLEthat “it’s important to celebrate [Latino culture] because it’s also remembering and paying respect and homage to our ancestors that came before us.” He emphasized the necessity of spotlighting “la cultural.”
“That’s the DNA inside of us," he said. “That’s the thing that gets us moving… it’s that flavor.”
source: people.com
