Yara
Yara Shahidi
- Occupation: Actress, model, and activist
- Known for: Her roles in the TV shows "Black-ish" and "Grown-ish," as well as the film "The Sun Is Also a Star"
- Born: February 10, 2000 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: African-American, Iranian, and Choctaw
- Education: Harvard University
- Awards and nominations: Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, BET Awards for YoungStars and Best Actress, Shorty Award for Best Influencer in Entertainment, and Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actress in a Comedy
- Social media: Instagram: @yarashahidi; Twitter: @yarashahidi
Early life and education
Yara Shahidi was born on February 10, 2000 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Afshin Shahidi, a cinematographer, and Keri Shahidi, an actress. She has two younger brothers, Sayeed and Ehsan. Shahidi is of African-American, Iranian, and Choctaw descent.
Shahidi began acting at a young age, appearing in commercials and print ads. She made her television debut in 2007, in an episode of the TV show "Entourage." In 2009, she had a recurring role in the TV show "In the Motherhood."
Shahidi attended Campbell Hall School in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from high school in 2018 and enrolled at Harvard University, where she is studying African-American studies and social studies.
Career
Shahidi's breakout role came in 2014, when she began starring in the ABC sitcom "Black-ish." She played Zoey Johnson, the eldest daughter of Andre (Anthony Anderson) and Rainbow Johnson (Tracee Ellis Ross). The show was a critical and commercial success, and Shahidi was praised for her performance. She received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2016.
In 2017, Shahidi starred in the film "The Sun Is Also a Star." The film was based on the novel of the same name by Nicola Yoon. Shahidi played Natasha Kingsley, a Jamaican-American girl who falls in love with Daniel Bae (Charles Melton), a Korean-American boy. The film received mixed reviews from critics, but Shahidi's performance was praised.
In 2018, Shahidi began starring in the Freeform sitcom "Grown-ish." The show is a spin-off of "Black-ish" and follows Zoey Johnson as she attends college. The show has been a critical and commercial success, and Shahidi has been praised for her performance.
Activism
Shahidi is an outspoken activist for social justice. She has spoken out against police brutality, racial inequality, and gender inequality. She has also worked with various organizations to promote education and empowerment for young people.
In 2017, Shahidi launched the Yara Shahidi Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports young people in underserved communities. The foundation provides scholarships, mentorship, and other resources to help young people reach their full potential.
Personal life
Shahidi is currently single. She has been in relationships with actor Jake T. Austin and rapper Jaden Smith.
Shahidi is a role model for many young people. She is known for her intelligence, her activism, and her commitment to making a difference in the world.
