Yara Shahidi, known for her starring role in black-ish, announced the overall deal with ABC Studios this week.
What We Know:
- Shahidi’s new production company, 7th Sun, will “develop and produce scripted and alternative television projects for cable, that touch upon themes of history, heritage, culture, and joy,” according to Deadline.
- Shahidi shared her hopes for the future of this endeavor in a 2019 interview with Glamour magazine stating, “my metric for success is having an impact on something greater than myself”.
- Lajoie St. George, a current Manager of Scripted Programming at NBC international, is currently heading up development at 7th Sun.
- Shahidi is known for playing the role of Zoey in black-ish and in the Freeform spinoff, grown-ish, both created by Kenya Barris. Barris, who lovingly refers to Shahidi as “McMogul”, said of the Harvard student: “Yara is a force. She is insanely talented, unreasonably smart and hardworking beyond compare…”
- ABC Studios President Jonnie Davis spoke on Shahidi’s talent and devotion to community, noting how she “makes us all feel like underachievers” and touching on how proud ABC is to have her on their team.
- Shahidi’s family is no stranger to big names and big deals—her cousin, hip hop mogul Nas, posted on Instagram to honor the venture, “I am in awe of these two Women! Can’t wait to see how they continue to change the game!”
The move is certainly a family affair, as Shahidi’s mother and business partner Keri Shahidi signed along with her daughter; both are represented by CAA.
