Yara Shahidi

Iranian + African-American

Actress + Model

Instagram: @yarashahidi

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to an Iranian-American father and African-American mother, 16-year old Yara Shahidi is well known for her role as Zoey johnson on ABC's Black-ish.

But before her coveted role alongside Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson, Yara began her career when she was only seven years old – appearing in television and print advertisements for brands such as Gap Kids, Target, Disney and the children’s place. And in 2013, right before starring in Black-ish, she made a cameo as young Olivia Pope on ABC’s Scandal.

These days, Yara is in the process of applying for college, and has made the decision to take some time off to work before officially enrolling.

Interesting fact: Yara is a second cousin to rapper Nas, and was the flower girl at his wedding!