Yara Shahidi

And so I was that annoying person in all of our discussion classes, like, but were they happy? But were they happy? And what does it mean if they weren't? And why are we taking this so seriously if they weren't happy?

And so I was that annoying person in all of our discussion classes, like, but were they happy? But were they happy? And what does it mean if they weren't? And why are we taking this so seriously if they weren't happy?

It's a good question. Today, yeah. Today, yeah.

It's a good question. Today, yeah. Today, yeah.

That's a good question. I feel like I'm a solid 7. Okay. Because I think the difference between even... my life last year to this year was in knowing that there are natural ebbs and flows of emotions. Because I think last year, as much as I could go through something and be really sad for an extended period of time, I always felt like that feeling was going to be permanent.

That's a good question. I feel like I'm a solid 7. Okay. Because I think the difference between even... my life last year to this year was in knowing that there are natural ebbs and flows of emotions. Because I think last year, as much as I could go through something and be really sad for an extended period of time, I always felt like that feeling was going to be permanent.

And then I would snap out of it. And then, you know, I'd forget like, oh yeah, everything is kind of temporary. I think this year I carry a knowledge that it's all temporary, which allows me to float through it a little more. But I think it's also, kind of aligned with a lot of self-work of prioritizing what it means to take care of myself in a way that I wasn't. a year ago, two years ago.

And then I would snap out of it. And then, you know, I'd forget like, oh yeah, everything is kind of temporary. I think this year I carry a knowledge that it's all temporary, which allows me to float through it a little more. But I think it's also, kind of aligned with a lot of self-work of prioritizing what it means to take care of myself in a way that I wasn't. a year ago, two years ago.

And so I think that also helps because for the first time I'm like, oh, I took seriously the idea of having tools to manage stress and challenges. Yeah.

And so I think that also helps because for the first time I'm like, oh, I took seriously the idea of having tools to manage stress and challenges. Yeah.

Honestly, yeah, and COVID hit. That was crazy. I think starting a career early... The beginning, I didn't have to think about it much because I think the way my parents had set it up was like, oh, this is a hobby. This is something that you tap in and out of. But, you know, I was full-time enrolled in school. I had so many hobbies outside of acting. And, you know, people would laugh.

Honestly, yeah, and COVID hit. That was crazy. I think starting a career early... The beginning, I didn't have to think about it much because I think the way my parents had set it up was like, oh, this is a hobby. This is something that you tap in and out of. But, you know, I was full-time enrolled in school. I had so many hobbies outside of acting. And, you know, people would laugh.

Casting directors would laugh because they knew if they wanted me or my brother to audition during... the school week, like they just kind of have to reconfigure some things. Because if I had a test or my brother had an important basketball game, life came first.

Casting directors would laugh because they knew if they wanted me or my brother to audition during... the school week, like they just kind of have to reconfigure some things. Because if I had a test or my brother had an important basketball game, life came first.

But by the time Black-ish came, that was the first time where I really had to re-anchor my life around being on TV in a way that I never had to before. And I think that was the first set of stresses and challenges. It was a great set to be on. But, you know, I'm number five on the call sheet. I'm not working every day.

But by the time Black-ish came, that was the first time where I really had to re-anchor my life around being on TV in a way that I never had to before. And I think that was the first set of stresses and challenges. It was a great set to be on. But, you know, I'm number five on the call sheet. I'm not working every day.

And so the idea that this was the first time I wasn't in school full time in person, but I'm also not acting as much as I necessarily want to be on set. So you're just kind of in a trailer. Yeah. For hours at a time.

And so the idea that this was the first time I wasn't in school full time in person, but I'm also not acting as much as I necessarily want to be on set. So you're just kind of in a trailer. Yeah. For hours at a time.

And I, like, love my castmates dearly, but having had such a full life beforehand, I think that was the first moment where we were like, okay, we have to do a little reconfiguring. And I think that was when Mommy and I looked at each other, and she was like, it's time for you to live your whole life again. So what else is interesting you?

And I, like, love my castmates dearly, but having had such a full life beforehand, I think that was the first moment where we were like, okay, we have to do a little reconfiguring. And I think that was when Mommy and I looked at each other, and she was like, it's time for you to live your whole life again. So what else is interesting you?