Yara Shahidi’s star just continues to rise. The dazzling actress’s most recent career highlight came with her portrayal of Tinkerbell in the live-action of ” Peter Pan & Wendy.” The production premiered on Friday, April 28, on Disney+. Before taking on the whimsical role, Shahidi brought her acting chops to productions like “Black-ish” and “Grown-ish.
Taking on Tinkerbell
In a conversation with ABC7 Chicago, she said that Tinkerbell experience was amazing
“It took a moment for me even to process that, and then from there, I was just excited to have an experience that was so different from anything that I’ve ever done, and I’m sure anything I ever will do,” Shahidi said of the role. “I love those magical worlds, and I was that kid that swore I could fly until the age of 7.”
Shahidi is the first Black actor who has been cast in the role. She has not taken the opportunity for granted.
“To be a part of not only this movie but really a movement of so many fairy tales being retold to look like our world is exciting because those are the first stories we hear growing up,” Shahidi told ABC News.
Earlier in March, Shahidi opened up about how “beautiful” the experience of playing the first Black Tinkerbell was, considering the fact that she started out as a model for Disney.
“It’s so beautiful. You know, way back when I used to model for Disney, like when it was when they would have kids in the different costumes in the Disney store. Like, it was some of my first jobs. And I think I was always the Black version of a character,” Shahidi said. “And so to think that now I’m just Tinker Bell is really exciting.
At 23, Shahidi has made her mark on the world, starring in hit TV shows, graduating from Harvard, and now adding, the first Black Tinkerbell, to her repertoire.