Activist, actress and model Yara Shahidi has done a stunning unretouched beauty shoot for Harper Bazaar’s August issue, a 'Real Beauty' special which also features tennis superstar Serena Williams.
Shahidi has activism in her genes – her grandfather befriended the Black Panthers, her aunt was the first Iranian-American woman to go to the International Space Station and her grandmother founded an animal shelter.
Now Shahidi is continuing their work by using her platform of more than three million Instagram followers to advocate for women, immigrants and people of color.
In the accompanying interview, Shahidi says her decision to take the role in recent movie The Sun Is Also A Star was cause-driven. “It’s not often that we see a story that humanizes immigration for a young audience,” she told Harper’s Bazaar.
Shahidi is also a new face of Bobbi Brown, which has just diversified its shade range. “I love that more brands are doing this,” she told Harper’s Bazaar. “There have been times when I got out of the makeup chair and my skin looked gray. It’s why I think every single person of color usually brings their own makeup kit to set.”
The actress has gained the support of Michelle Obama for encouraging voter registration and taking a stand for the causes she holds close to her heart. The former First Lady even wrote a letter of recommendation for the actress to attend Harvard, which she did while working on Black-ish and Grown-ish.
Shahidi says she even makes a statement with the tracksuits she wears off-screen. “By not showing skin, I’m making a statement,” she explained.
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