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Yara Shahidi

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Yara Shahidi
Shahidi in a 2018 interview
Born
Yara Sayeh Shahidi

(2000-02-10) February 10, 2000 (age 24)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
EducationHarvard University (BA) [1]
Occupation(s)Actress, producer
Years active2006–present
Relatives
Websiteyarashahidi.com

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).

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 (2018–2024).[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

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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 "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.[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]

Shahidi at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival

Career

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Early works

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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's 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

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In 2014, Shahidi was cast as a 14-year-old Zoey Johnson, the eldest daughter of Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross's 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).

Shahidi for Vogue in 2019

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

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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 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 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

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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

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Film

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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

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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
2018–2024 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

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Year Title Artist(s) Refs.
2018 "Nice for What" Drake [53]
2023 "Mosquito" PinkPantheress [54]

As director

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Year Title Notes Refs.
2018 Shatterbox Episode: "X" [55]
2022 Growing Up Episode: "Sofia" [56]

Awards and nomination

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Year Award Category Work Result
2016 BET Awards YoungStars Award Black-ish Nominated
2017 Won
2018 Won
2017 Black Reel Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series Black-ish Nominated
2018 Outstanding Actress, Comedy Series Grown-ish Nominated
2021 Outstanding Actress, Comedy Series Nominated
2016 Gracie Award Outstanding Female Actor in a Breakthrough Role Black-ish Won
2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards Best Breakthrough Performance Nominated
2015 NAACP Image Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Won
2019 Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Grown-ish Nominated
2020 Nominated
2021 Nominated
2024 Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture Sitting in Bars with Cake Nominated
2019 People's Choice Awards The Comedy TV Star of 2019 Grown-ish Nominated
2020 The Comedy TV Star of 2020 Nominated
2021 The Female TV Star of 2021 Nominated
The Comedy TV Star of 2021 Nominated
2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Black-ish Nominated
2017 Nominated
2015 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV: Breakout Star Nominated
2017 Choice Comedy TV Actress Nominated
2018 Choice Comedy TV Actress Grown-ish Nominated
2019 Choice Summer Movie Actress The Sun Is Also a Star Nominated
Choice Comedy TV Actress Grown-ish Nominated
Choice Summer TV Actress Nominated
2010 Young Artist Award Best Leading Young Actress in a Feature Film Imagine That Nominated
2016 Best Performance in a TV Series – Leading Teen Actress Black-ish Nominated

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Yara Shahidi is officially a Harvard graduate". NBC News. May 27, 2022. Archived from the original on August 1, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  2. ^ "Yara Shahidi Actor". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c "All about Yara". June 1, 2009. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
  4. ^ a b "The 30 Most Influential Teens of 2016". Time. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  5. ^ 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. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016.
  6. ^ "Yara Shahidi, [Prominent Iranian-Americans]". 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.
  7. ^ Brother Troy R. Gibson II "Yara Shahidi: A Star On The Rise". Drfunkenberry.com. October 22, 2010. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  8. ^ Shams, Alex (June 3, 2016). "Yara Shahidi, the Iranian-American Star of 'Black-ish,' Is Breaking Stereotypes On & Off Screen". Muftah.org. Archived 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.
  9. ^ Stern, Claire (April 23, 2015). "7 Things You May Not Know About Black-ish Star Yara Shahidi". InStyle. Archived from the original on June 20, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  10. ^ Guglielmo, Connie (August 21, 2018). "Why Yara Shahidi thinks the internet can still help make the world a better place". CNET. Archived 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.
  11. ^ 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. Archived from the original on June 6, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2017 – via BCKOnline.com (Black Celebrity Kids, Inc.).
  12. ^ a b Weaver, Hilary (June 7, 2017). "Yara Shahidi Will Join Malia Obama at Harvard in 2018". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  13. ^ Weiss, Suzannah (2017). "Here's Why Yara Shahidi WON'T Be Going to Harvard in the Fall". Teen Vogue. Archived 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,
  14. ^ "Yara Shahidi Reflects on Time Passing the Week After Prom and Before High School Graduation". W Magazine | Women's Fashion & Celebrity News. June 7, 2017. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  15. ^ a b "Yara Shahidi is officially a Harvard graduate". NBC News. May 27, 2022. Archived from the original on August 1, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  16. ^ Peoples, Landon (February 7, 2019). "From Couture To Harvard To Activism, Yara Shahidi "Undefines" Success". Refinery29.com. Archived 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...
  17. ^ "Yara Shahidi". Young Black Stars. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2016 – via www.youngblackstars.com.
  18. ^ "Nominations and Special Awards". 31st Annual Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  19. ^ "YBF FRESH FACE: Meet 13-Year-Old". theybf.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  20. ^ a b Okwodu, Janelle (April 19, 2016). "Black-ish's Yara Shahidi Is a Model With a Cause". Vogue. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  21. ^ "Blackish Nominated for Six NAACP Image Awards". Blackish Fans. December 10, 2014. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014.
  22. ^ "Yara Shahidi as | {showname} Cast". Freeform.
  23. ^ "BET Awards 2024: Nominees". BET. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  24. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (May 19, 2017). "'Black-ish' Spinoff Starring Yara Shahidi Greenlit at Freeform". Variety. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  25. ^ 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. Archived from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  26. ^ Bosselman, Haley (March 28, 2021). "NAACP Image Awards 2021: The Complete Televised Winners List". Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  27. ^ Campione, Katie (April 17, 2023). "Freeform Sets Premiere Dates For 'Grown-ish' Final Season & 'Cruel Summer' Season 2". Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  28. ^ "Best Dressed 2018". Net a Porter. Archived from the original on December 30, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  29. ^ "Meghan Markle puts Sinéad Burke on the cover of Vogue's September issue". The Irish Times. July 29, 2019. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  30. ^ "The Personal, Powerful Story Behind Yara Shahidi's Latest Adidas Collection". June 24, 2021. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  31. ^ "Recreating Once Again with Part Two of Our Collaborative Collection with Yara Shahidi". June 16, 2021. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  32. ^ "The Sun is Also a Star | Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  33. ^ Petski, Denise (July 20, 2020). "'Grown-ish' Star Yara Shahidi Inks Overall Deal With ABC Studios, Launches Production Company". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  34. ^ Petski, Denise (January 12, 2021). "'Smoakland' Comedy Produced By Yara Shahidi & Keri Shahidi's 7th Sun In Works At Freeform". Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  35. ^ 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". Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  36. ^ Otterson, Joe (January 28, 2022). "Murray Bartlett, Diane Lane, Yara Shahidi Among Eight Cast in Extrapolations at Apple (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  37. ^ Nate (September 28, 2020). "Yara Shahidi Cast as Tinkerbell in New Live-action 'Peter Pan' Movie". Disney News. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  38. ^ Grobar, Matt (February 9, 2022). "'Sitting In Bars With Cake': Yara Shahidi To Exec Produce & Star In Amazon Studios Rom-Com". Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  39. ^ "Sitting in Bars with Cake - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. September 8, 2023. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  40. ^ Horton, Adrian (September 8, 2023). "Sitting in Bars with Cake review – uneven tale of cancer, cakes and friendship". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  41. ^ 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.
  42. ^ Jackson, Angelique (January 25, 2024). "Colman Domingo, Ayo Edebiri, Victoria Monét and Usher Lead NAACP Image Award Nominations".
  43. ^ 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". Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  44. ^ Spangler, Todd (April 18, 2018). "'Black-ish Star Yara Shahidi Kicks Off Political-Engagement Campaign With NowThis". Variety. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  45. ^ Seligson, Hannah (November 27, 2015). "'Black-ish' Star Yara Shahidi Is a Role Model Off-Screen". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  46. ^ Berg, Madeline (November 16, 2017). "Meet Yara Shahidi: The 17-Year-Old Actress And Activist". Forbes. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  47. ^ Rogo, Paula (March 11, 2017). "Star Pupil: Michelle Obama Wrote Yara Shahidi A College Recommendation!". Essence. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  48. ^ Bitmead, Charlotte (September 8, 2020). "Yara Shahidi On Loving Her Monobrow And Why Family Give The Best Beauty Advice". ELLE. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  49. ^ "Yara Shahidi Just Asked Hillary Clinton About That Very Uncomfortable Trump Debate". Harper's Bazaar. December 3, 2017. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  50. ^ Smith, Krista (February 9, 2018). "Yara Shahidi on Being a Role Model, Attending Harvard, and Continuing Her Activism". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  51. ^ "Yara Shahidi joins the Dior Stands With Women campaign". Arab News. March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  52. ^ Veltman, Chloe (October 21, 2023). "Entertainment industry A-listers sign a letter to Biden urging a cease-fire in Gaza". NPR. Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  53. ^ "Yara Shahidi, Rashida Jones, and More Live Their Best Lives in Drake's New Video". Glamour. April 7, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  54. ^ "PinkPantheress Shops with Yara Shahidi, Charithra Chandran, India Amarteifio in Adorable 'Mosquito' Video". Peoplemag. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  55. ^ 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.
  56. ^ "Exclusive: Director Yara Shahidi and Sofia Ongele talk Disney Plus docuseries Growing Up". BlackFilmandTV.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
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