Yara Shahidi is a bicultural woman of many talents: actor, storyteller, business entrepreneur, activist and global brand ambassador.
When receiving her Alchemist Award during Culturs’ Gala Celebration in Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.A., Shahidi was “so reinspired and recommitted to I think what brings us all into the media landscape to begin with, which is to blow the doors open and tell as many stories as possible.”
Meeting Culturs Founder and CEO Elleyne Aldine at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity in France “sparked what could have been a five-minute conversation that turned into an hour-plus of us getting ice cream and talking about the impact of creating space for everyone of every cultural identity to feel embraced,” Shahidi says.
“I’m proudly black, proudly Iranian, and I think I’ve grown up with the privilege of having a space created for me in my home and fiercely protected in my home,” she adds. “But it’s not something that’s extended to most people or even extended to the outside of my home.”
Shahidi is an award-winning actress, producer, and change agent who rose to prominence as the breakout star of ABC’s Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated series “Black-ish.” Her magnetic presence as Zoey Johnson captivated audiences, and she continued to shine as the executive producer and lead in the Freeform spinoff series “Grown-ish,” which held the distinction of being the #1 cable comedy among 18- to 49-year-olds for an impressive six seasons.
In 2019, Shahidi expanded her collaboration with ABC, entering into a multiyear producing deal alongside her business partner and mother, Keri Shahidi, under their banner 7th Sun Productions. The partnership flourished further in 2022 with the addition of a collaboration with Onyx Collective.
I’m proudly black, proudly Iranian, and I think I’ve grown up with the privilege of having a space created for me in my home and fiercely protected in my home.
While making strides in the entertainment industry, Shahidi pursued her education and earned a B.A. in Social Studies and African American Studies from Harvard University. A dedicated advocate for inclusive media programming and equity, she remains a guiding force for transformation within the entertainment landscape.
Additionally, Shahidi achieved a historic milestone as the first black Tinker Bell, a role she portrayed in Disney’s live-action adaptation of “Peter Pan & Wendy.” Her enchanting performance not only showcased her exceptional talent but also represented a significant leap forward in advancing representation in the entertainment sphere.
Beyond her acting career, Shahidi proudly serves as a global beauty ambassador for Dior, a role that underscores her influence in the realms of fashion and beauty.
Looking forward, Shahidi is poised to take on another groundbreaking role as the face of Jean Paul Gaultier’s new fragrance, “Divine.” This upcoming endeavor further cements her position as an extraordinary trailblazer, solidifying her impact across the entertainment and fashion industries.
Engagement and Advocacy
Not only does Shahidi entertain, she also speaks out on issues including gender inequality, environmental issues, education, world inequality and many more.
In 2018, led by wanting more education in the political landscape, Shahidi founded Eighteen x 18, a youth-led initiative encouraging young people to vote and get involved in politics.
Influence Through Social Media
Shahidi has a huge following on her social media platforms. In addition to sharing content that is fun, glamorous and related to fashion and beauty, she also seeks audience opinions that appreciate her snippets as real, relatable and intelligent. This works rather well in the present world where followers are hard to please and they only want the “real deal.”
Brand Collaborations and Entrepreneurship
Shahidi has also achieved success in various business partnerships across the globe. Some of the famous brands that she has been the “face of” include Adidas, Jean Paul Gaultier, Cartier and Dior among others and she is strongly associated with the fashion and beauty industries.
These ventures also help her to explore more about her, in her natural self and also provide her practical experience on building and developing her personal brand as well as enhancing her business acumen.
Shahidi quotes author and activist James Baldwin, who once said, “Do you want to be integrated into a burning house?”
“I think where I see the opportunity created here by Culturs is this idea: Instead of fighting for inclusion in a place that has told us we are not wanted, excitingly, enthusiastically creating these spaces, creating new homes that are no longer a fire and as a Dina baby myself, I feel like it only becomes more apropos,” she says.
