Yara Shahidi is one of the most popular and talented young actresses in Hollywood. She is best known for her roles in the hit comedy series Black-ish and its spin-off Grown-ish, as well as movies such as The Sun Is Also a Star and The First Lady. But did you know that she also has a famous relative in the music industry? That’s right, Yara Shahidi is related to Nas, the legendary rapper who has been hailed as one of the greatest MCs of all time. How are they connected, and what is their relationship like? Here’s everything you need to know about the surprising family link between Yara Shahidi and Nas.
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Yara Shahidi and Nas are second cousins, meaning that their parents are cousins. Yara’s mother, Keri Salter-Shahidi, is an advocate and the co-founder of media company 7th Sun Productions, according to LinkedIn. She is also a cousin of Nas, whose full name is Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones. Nas’s father, Olu Dara, is a renowned jazz musician who has collaborated with his son on several songs, such as “Life’s a Bitch” and “Bridging the Gap”, according to the Los Angeles Times.
When did Yara Shahidi find out that Nas was her cousin?
Yara Shahidi was born in 2000, and Nas was already a famous rapper by then, having released his debut album Illmatic in 1994. However, Yara did not realize that Nas was her cousin until she was much older. In an interview with Fuse’s White Guy Talk Show in 2015, she revealed how she learned that her cousin was a celebrity.
“I didn’t know he was famous until I was about 13,” she said. “I went to his concert and I saw him perform and I was like ‘Oh my goodness, this is amazing.’ And then I saw him backstage and I was like ‘Hey cuz!’ And he was like ‘Hey!’ And I was like ‘Wait a minute, you’re famous?’”
She also shared a funny anecdote about how she used to call him “Uncle Nas” when she was younger, because she thought he was her uncle. “I thought he was my uncle until I was about 10,” she said. “And then my mom was like ‘No, he’s your cousin.’ And I was like ‘Oh, OK.’”
How close are Yara Shahidi and Nas?
Yara Shahidi and Nas have a close and supportive relationship, despite their age difference of 26 years. They often show their love and admiration for each other on social media and in interviews. For example, in 2016, Yara posted a selfie of herself and Nas on Instagram when he visited the set of Black-ish. She wrote: “Thanks to my cuzzo @nas for stopping by set, amidst his busy schedule, to support his little cuz (ME)! Family time + work =perfect combo.”
Nas has also praised Yara for her achievements and activism. In 2017, he congratulated her on getting accepted into Harvard University with a heartfelt message on Instagram. He wrote: “The world is yours kid @yarashahidi #proudcousin.”
In 2021, Yara gave a shoutout to Nas at the Emmys red carpet when she revealed the playlist she listened to while getting ready for the event. She said: “Today was ‘Duckworth,’ my cousin Nas, of course, Amy Winehouse and The Neptunes.”
Yara has also credited Nas as one of her mentors and inspirations. In a 2019 interview with Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, she said: “He’s always been so supportive of me as an individual but also of my career path…He’s somebody who really understands what it means to have longevity in such an industry that can be so fickle.”
What do Yara Shahidi and Nas have in common?
Besides being family members, Yara Shahidi and Nas also have a lot in common in terms of their passions and interests. They are both creative artists who excel in their respective fields of acting and rapping. They are also both outspoken activists who use their platforms to raise awareness and advocate for various social causes, such as racial justice, education, women’s rights, and more.
They also share a love for history and culture, especially their Iranian-American heritage. Yara’s father, Afshin Shahidi, is an Iranian-American photographer and cinematographer who worked with Prince for many years. He immigrated to the US when he was eight years old during the Iranian Revolution. Nas’s mother, Fannie Ann Jones, is an African-American postal worker who has Iranian roots through her grandmother.
Yara has expressed her pride in her dual identity and has celebrated her Iranian culture in various ways, such as wearing a custom-made Dior dress inspired by Josephine Baker at the 2021 Met Gala, and starring in a cover story for Harper’s Bazaar Arabia with her cousin Anousheh Ansari, who is the first Iranian-American astronaut and the first female private space explorer. Nas has also explored his Iranian heritage in his music, such as sampling Iranian singer Googoosh on his song “No Introduction” from his 2012 album Life Is Good.
Conclusion
Yara Shahidi and Nas are two of the most influential and talented stars in the entertainment industry, and they also happen to be related. They are second cousins who have a close and supportive bond, and they also have a lot in common in terms of their artistic and activist pursuits. They are both proud of their Iranian-American heritage and have celebrated it in their work. They are truly a dynamic duo who inspire each other and their fans.
