Yara Shahidi
Yara Shahidi
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Yara Sayed Mohamed Shahidi is a Canadian-Iranian actress, model, and activist.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on February 10, 2000, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Still active in the entertainment industry.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Shahidi holds dual citizenship of Canada and Iran. She is an accomplished actress, known for her versatility and range in various film and television projects.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in a multicultural household with parents who are both of Iranian descent, Shahidi developed an appreciation for diverse cultures and languages from a young age. Her family moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada when she was just one year old, where she spent most of her childhood.
Shahidi's early life was marked by a passion for the arts, particularly acting and dancing. She began taking dance classes at the age of four and soon discovered her love for drama. As she grew older, Shahidi continued to nurture her talent, performing in numerous school plays and local theater productions.
Major Accomplishments
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At just 16 years old, Shahidi made her breakthrough television debut as Zoey Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish (2014-2022). Her portrayal of a modern-day African American teenager earned her widespread recognition and critical acclaim. The show became a huge success during its eight-season run, tackling tough issues like racism, police brutality, and identity.
In addition to her work on Black-ish, Shahidi has appeared in several other notable projects, including the film The Sun is Also a Star (2019), which she also co-produced. Her performance as Natasha Kingsley earned her numerous award nominations.
Notable Works or Actions
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Shahidi's commitment to social justice and activism extends beyond her acting career. She has been an outspoken advocate for various causes, including women's rights, racial equality, and immigration reform.
In 2018, Shahidi founded the Eighteen x 18 initiative, a platform aimed at empowering young people to become more involved in politics and civic engagement. Through this project, she has worked closely with organizations like the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Impact and Legacy
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Shahidi's impact on popular culture cannot be overstated. As a talented young actress, she has inspired countless young people around the world to pursue their passions in the arts and social justice.
Her commitment to using her platform for good has made her a role model for many young women and marginalized communities. Through her work with Eighteen x 18, Shahidi continues to raise awareness about pressing issues affecting society today.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Yara Shahidi's influence extends far beyond her impressive filmography and activist work. Her dedication to using her voice for positive change has made her a household name, inspiring fans of all ages to strive for greatness.
As an actress, model, and advocate, Shahidi embodies the values of kindness, empathy, and resilience that we should all aspire to. Her quotes, interviews, and public appearances are widely quoted and shared online, serving as a reminder of the power of youth activism and creative expression.
Quotes by Yara Shahidi

When you're biracial, you can feel like you're fully neither, not fully both. But I won't strip away my heritage for anyone's comfort.

On a personal level, I think dressing is such a form of expression, and when you do events, it's important to feel as though you are authentically yourself.

If you look at the history of art and fashion, it's always been political. It's always been pushing boundaries.

Fortunately I can say that social media has treated me pretty well. I've been exempt from a lot of the mean comments.

Maintaining a sense of your personality grounds you in your space. I try and just make what I wear a reflection of how I feel at that moment, at that particular place in time.

I've always loved watches. It's been the one thing that I've asked for, whether it was every Christmas or a birthday.

Personally, getting into college was a big deal because I realized it's probably one of the only things I've fully planned. The rest of my life has been, for the most part, a nice little happy accident. I'm glad that it happened this way, but it's nonetheless unintentional.

When you're a part of any protected class, whether it is being a woman, a person of color, a part of the LGBTQ community, or an immigrant, we're expected to get everything right and be the embodiment of perfection when it is not expected of other people.

