Entertainment

Yara Shahidi and Her Mom Look Like Sisters

Yara Sayeh Shahidi (š›šØš«š§ February 10, 2000) is an American actress and producer. She began her career as a š˜¤š˜©š˜Ŗš˜­š˜„, appearing in the filmsĀ Imagine ThatĀ (2009),Ā ButterĀ (2011) andĀ Alex CrossĀ (2012).

Shahidi gained recognition for her starring role as the oldest daughter Zoey Johnson in the ABC sitcomĀ Black-ishĀ (2014ā€“2022) and its spin-off seriesĀ Grown-ish (2018ā€“2024). She receivedĀ NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesĀ forĀ Black-ishĀ and threeĀ NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy SeriesĀ nominations forĀ Grown-ish.Ā Time included her on “The 30 Most Influential Teens of 2016” list. She did voice over work in the filmsĀ SmallfootĀ (2018),Ā FearlessĀ (2020),Ā PAW Patrol: The MovieĀ (2021) andĀ My Father’s DragonĀ (2022).

Shahidi played her first adult lead role in the 2019 drama film,Ā The Sun Is Also a Star. In 2023, she playedĀ Tinker BellĀ in the fantasy adventure filmĀ Peter Pan & Wendy, and executive produced and starred in the romantic comedy-drama film,Ā Sitting in Bars with Cake.

Early life and education

Yara Sayeh Shahidi was š›šØš«š§ in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Keri Salter Shahidi and Afshin Shahidi, a photographer. Her mother, Keri Shahidi (š›šØš«š§ Keri Jamelda Salter), is of African American and Choctaw heritage, and her father Afshin Shahidi is Iranian. Afshin was one of the principal photographers for musician Prince, who kept a signed photo of Yara in his editing suite at Paisley Park. The Shahidi family moved to California for Afshin’s work when Yara was 4 years old. She is the older sister of š˜¤š˜©š˜Ŗš˜­š˜„ actor and model Sayeed Shahidi and they have a younger brother, Ehsan. The rapper Nas is her cousin. Yara means “Someone who is close to your heart” in Persian; Shahidi is a common surname in Iran and means “martyr” in Persian.

Shahidi attended Immaculate Heart Middle School and part of Immaculate Heart High School before leaving to excel in her acting career. Shahidi graduated in 2017 from Dwight Global Online School.Ā  In 2017, Shahidi was admitted to Harvard University, and she began her studies there in 2018 after taking a gap year, with a plan to major in Interdisciplinary Sociology and Black American Studies. Shahidi graduated from Harvard in 2022.

Shahidi at the 2011 Toronto International Film FestivalCareer

Early works

Shahidi began her career when she was 6 years old, appearing in television commercials and print advertisements for companies such as McDonald’s, Ralph Lauren, Target, GapKids, Disney, Guess Kids and The Children’s Place. She frequently worked with her mother and younger brother in various print and broadcast campaigns. Her first on-screen appearance was in an episode of HBO comedy series,Ā EntourageĀ in 2007. In 2009, she had a recurring role asĀ Jessica St. Clair’s character daughter in the short-lived ABC comedy series,Ā In the Motherhood. Later that year, she guest-starred onĀ Cold CaseĀ andĀ Wizards of Waverly Place.

Shahidi made her big screen debut in 2009, starring oppositeĀ Eddie MurphyĀ inĀ Paramount PicturesĀ comedy filmĀ Imagine That, for which she received a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Leading Young Actress in a Feature Film.[18] She also appeared in the action filmĀ SaltĀ in 2010 as a next door neighbor toĀ Angelina Jolie’s character. The following year, she starred in the comedy filmĀ ButterĀ that premiered at theĀ Telluride Film FestivalĀ and garnered mixed reviews from critics. In 2012, she appeared in the action thriller filmĀ Alex CrossĀ oppositeĀ Tyler Perry. From 2012 to 2013, Shahidi was regular cast member in the syndicated sitcomĀ The First FamilyĀ playing the role of Chloe Johnson, the daughter of President William Johnson. In 2013, she played youngĀ Olivia PopeĀ in the two episodes of ABC political thriller series,Ā Scandal.

2014ā€”2022

In 2014, Shahidi was cast as a 14-year-old Zoey Johnson, the eldest daughter ofĀ Anthony AndersonĀ andĀ Tracee Ellis Ross’s characters in the ABC comedy seriesĀ Black-ish created by Kenya Barris. She won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for the show’ first season.[21] She also received Gracie Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Breakthrough Role in 2016 and BET YoungStars Award at the 17th BET Awards.[23] She left the series after three seasons but appeared as a recurring guest-star in latter seasons. ABC announced in 2017 that Shahidi would be headlining aĀ Black-ishĀ spinoff, titledĀ Grown-ish, on its sister network Freeform. The series premiered on January 3, 2018, with the positive reviews from critics. For her performance, Shahidi received three NAACP Image Awards nominations for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. She left the series after five seasons, but stayed as an executive producer and recurring guest-star for its sixth and final season in 2023.

In 2016, Shahidi signed to model with New York’s Women Management modeling agency, in hopes of providing a platform to see more women of color in diverse roles.Ā Time included her on “The 30 Most Influential Teens of 2016” list. She was ranked one of the best dressed women in 2018 by fashion website Net-a-Porter.[ She was one of fifteen women selected to appear on the cover of the September 2019 issue ofĀ British Vogue, by guest editor Meghan, Duchess of Susš“ˆā„Æš“. In 2021, Shahidi debuted a sportswear collaboration with Adidas.

In 2019, Shahidi played the leading role in the teen drama film,Ā The Sun Is Also a Star based on theĀ young adult novel of the same nameĀ byĀ Nicola Yoon. It was theatrically released in the United States on May 17, 2019, byĀ Warner Bros. PicturesĀ andĀ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures. The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $6.8 million worldwide. She co-producedĀ Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film-winning filmĀ Hair LoveĀ (2019). She done voice over work in the filmsĀ SmallfootĀ (2018),Ā FearlessĀ (2020),Ā PAW Patrol: The MovieĀ (2021) andĀ My Father’s DragonĀ (2022).

Shahidi forĀ VogueĀ in 2019

In 2020, Shahidi and her mother launched their production company 7th Sun and signed a deal with ABC Studios to produce shows. Their first project wasĀ Smoakland, a single-camera comedy pilot for Freeform in 2021. Later in 2021, it was announced that they develop adaptation of Cole Brown’s book Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World.

2023ā€”present

Shahidi starred in theĀ Apple TV+Ā anthology seriesĀ Extrapolations that premiered on March 17, 2023. She playedĀ Tinker BellĀ in the fantasy adventure filmĀ Peter Pan & Wendy, a remake ofĀ Peter Pan. It premiered on Disney+ on April 28, 2023. Later in 2023, Shahidi executive produced and played the leading role in the romantic comedy-drama film Sitting in Bars with Cake alongside Odessa A’zion. The film received generally positive reviews from critics with Shahidi’s performance as a law student struggling to accomplish her parents’ dreams for her future whilst simultaneously fulfilling her role as a caregiver to her friend diagnosed with cancer receiving praise, though some found her to be overshadowed by Aā€™Zion’s performance. Carla Meyer of theĀ San Francisco Chronicle felt that Shahidi’s friendship with Aā€™Zion was, “the most authentic element of the film,” adding that it, “really makes the film”. She received NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture nomination for her performance.

In February 2023, Shahidi was attached to star alongsideĀ Lena HeadeyĀ in the action thriller filmĀ Ballerina Overdrive.

Activism

Shahidi founded Eighteen x 18 with social news publisher NowThis, which “will be a platform to encourage [her] peers to vote for the very first time in our upcoming midterm elections.” Her other organizations include Yara’s Club a partnership with Young Women’s Leadership Network (YWLN) of New York, which provides online mentorship in hopes to end poverty through education.

Shahidi’s activism was noticed by former first lady Michelle Obama, who wrote her a letter of recommendation to Harvard University. She was also given the opportunity byĀ Teen Vogue to interviewĀ Hillary ClintonĀ in 2017.

In 2021, Shahidi joined the Dior Stand with Women campaign.

In October 2023, Shahidi signed an open letter for the “Artists4Ceasefire” campaign alongside other artists, urging President Joe Biden to push for a ceasefire and an end to the š“€š’¾š“š“ing of civilians amid the 2023 Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip.

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