Yara Shahidi

Yara Shahidi is an American actress, model, and activist who has established herself as one of the most influential young voices in entertainment. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to an African American and Iranian family, Shahidi began her career in entertainment at a very young age, appearing in print advertisements and commercials before transitioning to acting. Her multicultural background has been a defining element of both her public persona and her advocacy work.

Shahidi’s breakout role came in 2014 when she was cast as Zoey Johnson, the eldest daughter of Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross’s characters, on the ABC sitcom Black-ish. Her performance was so popular that it led to her own spinoff series, Grown-ish, which premiered on Freeform in 2018 and followed Zoey’s journey through college. The show ran for six seasons through 2024, and Shahidi also served as a producer on the series, demonstrating her ambitions beyond acting.

Beyond her television success, Shahidi has built an impressive portfolio of brand partnerships and film roles. She has been a brand ambassador for Dior, appearing in campaigns for their skincare and beauty lines. In 2023, she starred as Tinker Bell in Disney’s live-action Peter Pan and Wendy, directed by David Lowery. Her fashion sense and red carpet appearances have made her a fixture in style publications, and she has been named to Time’s list of the most influential teens and Forbes’ 30 Under 30.

Shahidi is also deeply committed to education and social activism. She was accepted to Harvard University, where she studied social studies and African American studies, and she has been vocal about voting rights and civic engagement among young people. She co-founded Eighteen x 18, a creative platform encouraging first-time voters to participate in elections. Her combination of artistic talent, intellectual depth, and commitment to social change has made her a role model for her generation.