Yara Shahidi is an American actress, model, and activist. She is best known for her work on the television series Black-ish and its spin-off Grown-ish. She is also an outspoken advocate for women’s rights and social justice issues. In 2018, she was named one of Time magazine’s “30 Most Influential Teens” and has been featured on the cover of numerous magazines. Here is a look at the life and career of Yara Shahidi.
Early Life
Yara Shahidi was born on February 10, 2000, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her parents are an Iranian father, Afshin Shahidi, and a half-African American, half-Native American mother, Keri Salter. She has two younger brothers, Sayeed and Ehsan. Her father is a noted photographer, having worked with musical icons such as Prince, and her mother is an actress and a professor. At the age of 4, she moved to California with her family.
At a young age, Shahidi began to take acting classes and soon began auditioning for roles. When she was 7 years old, she made her acting debut in an episode of the television series Entourage. She later appeared in a number of television shows, including The West Wing, NCIS, and Grey’s Anatomy.
Education & Career
Shahidi attended college while still acting on television. She attended the Harvard University Extension School, where she majored in social studies and government. During her time in college, she also continued to act.
In 2014, she was cast in the ABC comedy series Black-ish. She played the role of Zoey Johnson, the oldest daughter of the Johnson family. The show was a critical and commercial success, and in 2018, it was spun off into the series Grown-ish, with Shahidi reprising her role. She also played a role in the 2018 film The Sun Is Also a Star and starred in the 2019 film The Sun Is Also a Star.
Personal Life
In addition to her acting career, Shahidi is also an outspoken advocate for social justice issues. She has spoken out on issues such as racism, sexism, and gun violence. She has been featured in numerous magazines, including Time, Teen Vogue, and Marie Claire. In 2018, she was named one of Time magazine’s “30 Most Influential Teens.”
In her personal life, Shahidi is an avid reader and enjoys spending time with her family. She is also a passionate photographer and has had her work featured in various art galleries.
Yara Shahidi is a talented actress and activist who has made a name for herself in Hollywood. She has used her platform to speak out against injustice and to advocate for social change. She is an inspiration to many and her career is sure to only continue to grow.
