Yara Shahidi
Yara Sayeh Shahidi (born February 10, 2000)[2] is an American actress and producer. She began her career as a child, appearing in the films Imagine That (2009), Butter (2011) and Alex Cross (2012).
Yara Shahidi | |
|---|---|
Shahidi in a 2018 interview | |
| Born | Yara Sayeh Shahidi February 10, 2000 Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) [1] |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, producer |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Relatives |
|
| Website | yarashahidi |
Shahidi gained recognition for her starring role as the oldest daughter Zoey Johnson in the ABC sitcom Black-ish (2014–2022) and its spin-off series Grown-ish (2018–present).[3] She received NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Black-ish and three NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series nominations for Grown-ish. Time included her on "The 30 Most Influential Teens of 2016" list.[4] She did voice over work in the films Smallfoot (2018), Fearless (2020), PAW Patrol: The Movie (2021) and My Father's Dragon (2022).
Shahidi played her first adult lead role in the 2019 drama film, The Sun Is Also a Star. In 2023, she played Tinker Bell in the fantasy adventure film Peter Pan & Wendy, and executive produced and starred in the romantic comedy-drama film, Sitting in Bars with Cake.
Early life and education edit
Yara Sayeh Shahidi was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Keri Salter Shahidi and Afshin Shahidi,[5][6] a photographer.[3][7] Her mother, Keri Shahidi (born 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.[8][9][10] The Shahidi family moved to California for Afshin's work when Yara was 4 years old. She is the older sister of child actor and model Sayeed Shahidi and they have a younger brother, Ehsan.[5] The rapper Nas is her cousin.[11] Yara means "Someone who is close to your heart" in Persian;[5] Shahidi is a common surname in Iran and means "witness" in Persian.
Sahidi 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.[12][13][14] In 2017, Shahidi was admitted to Harvard University, and she began her studies there in 2018 after taking a gap year,[15] with a plan to major in Interdisciplinary Sociology and Black American Studies.[12][16] Shahidi graduated from Harvard in 2022.[15]
Career edit
Early works edit
Shahidi began her career when she was 6 years old,[17] 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, Entourage in 2007. In 2009, she had a recurring role as Jessica St. Clair's character daughter in the short-lived ABC comedy series, In the Motherhood. Later that year, she guest-starred on Cold Case and Wizards of Waverly Place.
Shahidi made her big screen debut in 2009, starring opposite Eddie Murphy in Paramount Pictures comedy film Imagine That,[3] 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 film Salt in 2010 as a next door neighbor to Angelina Jolie' character. The following year, she starred in the comedy film Butter that premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and garnered mixed reviews from critics. In 2012, she appeared in the action thriller film Alex Cross opposite Tyler Perry. From 2012 to 2013, Shahidi was regular cast member in the syndicated sitcom The First Family playing the role of Chloe Johnson, the daughter of President William Johnson. In 2013, she played young Olivia Pope in the two episodes of ABC political thriller series, Scandal.[19]
2014—2022 edit
In 2014, Shahidi was cast as a 14-year-old Zoey Johnson, the eldest daughter of Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross' characters in the ABC comedy series Black-ish created by Kenya Barris.[20] 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[22] 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 a Black-ish spinoff, titled Grown-ish, on its sister network Freeform. The series premiered on January 3, 2018, with the positive reviews from critics.[24] For her performance, Shahidi received three NAACP Image Awards nominations for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series.[25][26] 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.[27]
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.[20] Time included her on "The 30 Most Influential Teens of 2016" list.[4] She was ranked one of the best dressed women in 2018 by fashion website Net-a-Porter.[28] She was one of fifteen women selected to appear on the cover of the September 2019 issue of British Vogue, by guest editor Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.[29] In 2021, Shahidi debuted a sportswear collaboration with Adidas.[30][31]
In 2019, Shahidi played the leading role in the teen drama film, The Sun Is Also a Star based on the young adult novel of the same name by Nicola Yoon. It was theatrically released in the United States on May 17, 2019, by Warner Bros. Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures. The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $6.8 million worldwide.[32] She co-produced Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film-winning film Hair Love (2019). She done voice over work in the films Smallfoot (2018), Fearless (2020), PAW Patrol: The Movie (2021) and My Father's Dragon (2022).
In 2020, Shahidi and her mother launched their production company 7th Sun and signed a deal with ABC Studios to produce shows.[33] Their first project was Smoakland, a single-camera comedy pilot for Freeform in 2021.[34] Later in 2021, it was announced that they develop adaptation of Cole Brown's book Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World.[35]
2023—present edit
Shahidi starred in the Apple TV+ anthology series Extrapolations that premiered on March 17, 2023.[36] She played Tinker Bell in the fantasy adventure film Peter Pan & Wendy, a remake of Peter Pan.[37] 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.[38] The film was released on September 8, 2023, by Amazon Prime Video and received generally positive reviews from critics with Shahidi's performance as a girl struggling with her personal life whilst simultaneously fulfilling her role as a caregiver to her friend diagnosed with cancer receiving praise, though some found her to be overshadowed by A’Zion's performance.[39][40] Carla Meyer of the San Francisco Chronicle felt that Shahidi's friendship with A’Zion was, "the most authentic element of the film," adding that it, "really makes the film".[41] She received NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture nomination for her performance.[42]
In February 2023, Shahidi was attached to star alongside Lena Headey in the action thriller film Ballerina Overdrive.[43]
Activism edit
Shahidi founded Eighteen x 18 with social news publisher NowThis,[44] 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.[45][46]
Shahidi's activism was noticed by former first lady Michelle Obama, who wrote her a letter of recommendation to Harvard University.[47][48] She was also given the opportunity by Teen Vogue to interview Hillary Clinton in 2017.[49][50]
In 2021, Shahidi joined the Dior Stand with Women campaign.[51]
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 killing of civilians amid the 2023 Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip.[52]
Filmography edit
Film edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Imagine That | Olivia Danielson | |
| 2010 | Salt | Salt's Young Neighbor | |
| Unthinkable | Katie | ||
| 2011 | Butter | Destiny | |
| 2012 | Alex Cross | Janelle Cross | |
| 2018 | Smallfoot | Brenda | Voice Role |
| 2019 | Detective Pikachu | Girlfriend | |
| The Sun Is Also a Star | Natasha Kingsley | ||
| Hair Love | Co-executive producer | ||
| 2020 | Fearless | Melanie | Voice Role |
| 2021 | PAW Patrol: The Movie | Kendra Wilson | |
| 2022 | My Father's Dragon | Callie | |
| 2023 | Peter Pan & Wendy | Tinker Bell | |
| 2023 | Sitting in Bars with Cake | Jane | Executive producer |
Television edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Entourage | Kandace West | 1 episode |
| 2009 | In the Motherhood | Esther | 5 episodes |
| Cold Case | Meesha Sullivan '91 | 1 episode | |
| Wizards of Waverly Place | Olive | 1 episode | |
| 2010 | Lie to Me | Olivia | 1 episode |
| $♯*! My Dad Says | Girl Scout | 1 episode | |
| 2011 | The Cape | Layla | 1 episode |
| Family Guy | Little Girl | Voice Role, 1 episode | |
| Rip City | Montana | Television film | |
| 2012 | The Finder | Adina | 1 episode |
| 2012–2013 | The First Family | Chloe Johnson | 23 episodes |
| 2013 | Scandal | Young Olivia Pope | 2 episodes |
| 2014 | Bad Teacher | Jalissa | 1 episode |
| The Fosters | Maddie | 2 episodes | |
| 2014–2022 | Black-ish | Zoey Johnson | Main role (seasons 1–3), Recurring role (seasons 4–8); 79 episodes |
| 2016–2018 | Trollhunters | Darci Scott | Voice Role, 10 episodes |
| 2018–present | Grown-ish | Zoey Johnson | Lead role (seasons 1–5), Recurring role (season 6); Also executive producer |
| 2018–2019 | 3Below | Darci Scott | Voice Role, 8 episodes |
| 2023 | Extrapolations | Carmen Jalilo | 1 episode |
Music edit
| Year | Title | Artist(s) | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | "Nice for What" | Drake | [53] |
| 2023 | "Mosquito" | PinkPantheress | [54] |
As director edit
| Year | Title | Notes | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Shatterbox | Episode: "X" | [55] |
| 2022 | Growing Up | Episode: "Sofia" | [56] |
Awards and nomination edit
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Yara Shahidi is officially a Harvard graduate". NBC News. from the original on August 1, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
- ^ . TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016.
- ^ a b c . June 1, 2009. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
- ^ a b "The 30 Most Influential Teens of 2016". Time. from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- ^ a b c J., C. (January 24, 2015). "C.J.: Mother of Minneapolis-born "Black-ish" star is having a good day when there's no eye twitch". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. from the original on August 9, 2016.
- ^ . Virtual embassy of the United States, Tehran.Iran (in Persian). U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ^ Brother Troy R. Gibson II "Yara Shahidi: A Star On The Rise". Drfunkenberry.com. October 22, 2010. from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
- ^ Shams, Alex (June 3, 2016). "Yara Shahidi, the Iranian-American Star of 'Black-ish,' Is Breaking Stereotypes On & Off Screen". Muftah.org. from the original on June 7, 2016.
Zoey, the Johnson's eldest daughter, is played by a sixteen-year-old, Iranian-American actress. Born to an Iranian father, Afshin Shahidi, and a mother of mixed black and Native Choctaw heritage, Keri Salter, Yara Shahidi lived in Minneapolis before moving to California at a young age.
- ^ Stern, Claire (April 23, 2015). . InStyle. Archived from the original on June 20, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
- ^ Guglielmo, Connie (August 21, 2018). "Why Yara Shahidi thinks the internet can still help make the world a better place". CNET. from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
Shahidi, the child of a mom who's African-American and Choctaw and an Iranian-American dad.
- ^ Shahidi on the Fuse TV series White Guy Talk Show, transcribed by "Yara Shahidi Gives the Inside Story on Her Life as Nas' Cousin". BCKOnline. April 10, 2015. from the original on June 6, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2017 – via BCKOnline.com (Black Celebrity Kids, Inc.).
- ^ a b Weaver, Hilary (June 7, 2017). "Yara Shahidi Will Join Malia Obama at Harvard in 2018". Vanity Fair. from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
- ^ Weiss, Suzannah (2017). "Here's Why Yara Shahidi WON'T Be Going to Harvard in the Fall". Teen Vogue. from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
Yara, who just finished high school through the New York City Dwight School's online program,
- ^ "Yara Shahidi Reflects on Time Passing the Week After Prom and Before High School Graduation". W Magazine | Women's Fashion & Celebrity News. from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
- ^ a b "Yara Shahidi is officially a Harvard graduate". NBC News. May 27, 2022. from the original on August 1, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ Peoples, Landon (February 7, 2019). "From Couture To Harvard To Activism, Yara Shahidi "Undefines" Success". Refinery29.com. from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
...in real life, at Harvard, where she's set to double major in Interdisciplinary Sociology and Black American Studies which she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2022...
- ^ . Young Black Stars. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2016 – via www.youngblackstars.com.
- ^ "Nominations and Special Awards". 31st Annual Young Artist Awards. from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
- ^ "YBF FRESH FACE: Meet 13-Year-Old". theybf.com. from the original on August 5, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- ^ a b Okwodu, Janelle (April 19, 2016). . Vogue. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
- ^ . Blackish Fans. December 10, 2014. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014.
- ^ "Yara Shahidi as | {showname} Cast". Freeform.
- ^ "Archived copy". from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (May 19, 2017). "'Black-ish' Spinoff Starring Yara Shahidi Greenlit at Freeform". Variety. from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
- ^ Howard, Katherine Schaffstall,Annie; Schaffstall, Katherine; Howard, Annie (February 22, 2020). "NAACP Image Awards: Lizzo Named Entertainer of the Year; 'Just Mercy,' 'Black-ish' Among Top Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Bosselman, Haley (March 28, 2021). "NAACP Image Awards 2021: The Complete Televised Winners List". from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- ^ Campione, Katie (April 17, 2023). "Freeform Sets Premiere Dates For 'Grown-ish' Final Season & 'Cruel Summer' Season 2". from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- ^ "Best Dressed 2018". Net a Porter. from the original on December 30, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
- ^ "Meghan Markle puts Sinéad Burke on the cover of Vogue's September issue". The Irish Times. July 29, 2019. from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
- ^ "The Personal, Powerful Story Behind Yara Shahidi's Latest Adidas Collection". June 24, 2021. from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ "Recreating Once Again with Part Two of Our Collaborative Collection with Yara Shahidi". June 16, 2021. from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ "Archived copy". from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Petski, Denise (July 20, 2020). "'Grown-ish' Star Yara Shahidi Inks Overall Deal With ABC Studios, Launches Production Company". Deadline. from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise (January 12, 2021). "'Smoakland' Comedy Produced By Yara Shahidi & Keri Shahidi's 7th Sun In Works At Freeform". from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- ^ Petski, Denise (April 15, 2021). "Yara & Keri Shahidi Developing TV Series Based On Cole Brown's Book 'Greyboy: Finding Blackness In A White World' For ABC Signature". from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (January 28, 2022). "Murray Bartlett, Diane Lane, Yara Shahidi Among Eight Cast in Extrapolations at Apple (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
- ^ Nate (September 28, 2020). "Yara Shahidi Cast as Tinkerbell in New Live-action 'Peter Pan' Movie". Disney News. from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (February 9, 2022). "'Sitting In Bars With Cake': Yara Shahidi To Exec Produce & Star In Amazon Studios Rom-Com". from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- ^ "Sitting in Bars with Cake - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. September 8, 2023. from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- ^ Horton, Adrian (September 8, 2023). "Sitting in Bars with Cake review – uneven tale of cancer, cakes and friendship". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
- ^ Meyer, Carla (2023). "Review: A believable central friendship makes 'Sitting in Bars With Cake' a satisfying if bittersweet treat". Datebook | San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
- ^ Jackson, Angelique (January 25, 2024). "Colman Domingo, Ayo Edebiri, Victoria Monét and Usher Lead NAACP Image Award Nominations".
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (February 8, 2023). "Lena Headey, Yara Shahidi, Isabela Merced, Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds & Iris Apatow Set For Buzzy Action Pic 'Ballerina Overdrive' From David Leitch & Kelly McCormick's 87North: EFM Hot Package". from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- ^ Spangler, Todd (April 18, 2018). "'Black-ish Star Yara Shahidi Kicks Off Political-Engagement Campaign With NowThis". Variety. from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
- ^ Seligson, Hannah (November 27, 2015). "'Black-ish' Star Yara Shahidi Is a Role Model Off-Screen". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
- ^ Berg, Madeline (November 16, 2017). "Meet Yara Shahidi: The 17-Year-Old Actress And Activist". Forbes. from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
- ^ Rogo, Paula (March 11, 2017). "Star Pupil: Michelle Obama Wrote Yara Shahidi A College Recommendation!". Essence. from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
- ^ Bitmead, Charlotte (September 8, 2020). "Yara Shahidi On Loving Her Monobrow And Why Family Give The Best Beauty Advice". ELLE. from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
- ^ "Yara Shahidi Just Asked Hillary Clinton About That Very Uncomfortable Trump Debate". Harper's Bazaar. December 3, 2017. from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
- ^ Smith, Krista (February 9, 2018). "Yara Shahidi on Being a Role Model, Attending Harvard, and Continuing Her Activism". Vanity Fair. from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ "Yara Shahidi joins the Dior Stands With Women campaign". Arab News. March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
- ^ Veltman, Chloe (October 21, 2023). "Entertainment industry A-listers sign a letter to Biden urging a cease-fire in Gaza". NPR. from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ^ Nast, Condé (April 7, 2018). "Yara Shahidi, Rashida Jones, and More Live Their Best Lives in Drake's New Video". Glamour. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ "PinkPantheress Shops with Yara Shahidi, Charithra Chandran, India Amarteifio in Adorable 'Mosquito' Video". Peoplemag. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ Cohen, Anne. "Yara Shahidi's Directorial Debut Is A Stunning Look At What It Means To Be Marginalized". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ "Exclusive: Director Yara Shahidi and Sofia Ongele talk Disney Plus docuseries Growing Up". BlackFilmandTV.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
External links edit
A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (March 2023) |