The gorgeous and talented Yara Shahidi has been involved in some incredible projects, including The Fosters , Scandal and now the highly anticipated new show Black-ish. Yara also has the distinction of having played both a Chloe Johnson, First Daughter to the President in the short-lived series First Family, and Zoey Johnson on Black-ish. Yara sat down with us to discuss her various projects, political allegories and much more. We can’t wait to tune in to her new show!

 

PHOTO credit: Afshin Shahidi

YOUNG ADULT: Hello Yara! You’ve been involved in some of our favorite YA titles, like THE FOSTERS. Which experience has been the standout for you thus far? 

Yara Shahidi: The Fosters is such a fun show to be a part of and my friends are excited that I get to work with such great young actors. My movie Butter, opposite Jennifer Garner, stands out the most for me because it was a political allegory, using a butter carving competition to represent politics. It was really my introduction to how complex politics can be.  While always keeping it funny, I felt that Butter really gave me a chance to learn and grow. It’s on Netflix!

 

YA: What was it like being singled out to play young Olivia on SCANDAL?

YS: Actually, I didn’t feel singled out.  The audition process was fun! I actually went in dressed in my uniform, with my glasses and the book I was reading (a biography of Abraham Lincoln).  I knew it was cool, I just didn’t realize HOW cool till it aired!

 

YA: And what about your new show, BLACK-ISH? Is it being compared with The Cosby Show?

YS: I feel that my new show BLACK-ISH explores the balance between my parents’ cultural experiences with the experiences of myself and my siblings. It’s so cool to be a part of a show that so many people can relate to, regardless of ethnicity.

 

YA: What do you like most about the character you play?

YS: What I love most about playing the character of Zoey is that she is a popular, social teenager with awesome fashion sense.  I literally get to play dress up every day! I also love knowing that Zoey isn’t your typical teen.  She is smart and focused.

 

YA: What were/are you most excited see on screen when you’re done shooting?

YS: Honestly, because film and tv scenes are shot out of order, I am always excited to see how the finished project flows.

 

YA: And what are you excited for audiences to see?

YS: I am excited for people to see another side of me. My character is the oldest of four siblings.  I love how she balances her social life with her obligations to her family.  

 

YA: What has been the best acting or professional advice you’ve received? 

YS: The best advice I have received is to hold on to my strong sense of self, WHILE I am in the whirlwind of acting.

 

YA: If you could play any role from any film or TV show in history, who would it be and why?   

YS: What a great question! I am always thinking about what roles I’d want to play in the future; but historically, I would choose Ruby Bridges or a character from The Color Purple.

 

YA: What would you say is your favorite YA story, book or film?

YS: I love the books Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston and Catcher in the Rye, written by JD Salinger!

 

Thanks for talking to us, Yara! And readers, don’t forget to watch Black-ish Wednesdays at 9:30/8:30 central on ABC!

 

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