I thought it was cool when my favorite English teacher wrote my college recommendation letter. But Black-ish actress Yara Shahidi had a pretty cool mentor endorse her academic potential: former FLOTUS (*pause for a quick cry*), Michelle Obama.
Shahidi said,
“She is very amazing and such a supporter, which is something very surreal to say”.
According to W magazine, Michelle Obama has been a fan of Yara for some time now. They’ve spoken on panels together, and Obama even gave her an encouraging pep talk before her AP exams.
The actress surely will succeed on her own merit regardless.
In addition to being a talented and accomplished actress, the 17-year-old has an outstanding academic track record and is an ever-growing role model who is vocal about many issues, including politics and female empowerment.
Shahidi most recently appeared in Tory Burch’s recent #EmbraceAmbition campaign in honor of Women’s History Month.
Yara plans on taking a gap year. She will major in African American studies and Sociology at whatever university she chooses to attend.
Shahidi began her career as a children’s clothing model and starred in the film Imagine That but really came to the spotlight with her role in Black-ish.
The show is finally beginning to earn the critical acclaim it deserves, with a few Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe win by Tracee Ellis Ross.
