Actress Yara Shahidi Signs Overall Deal With ABC Studios
Watch out world she’s a boss now. Yara Shahidi, activist and actress known for her roles in black-ish and its college spinoff grown-ish, has signed an exclusive overall deal with ABC Studios.
Under the pact, Shahidi is forming a production company with her business partner and mother, Keri Shahidi. The company is called 7th Sun and will highlight diverse and often underrepresented creators in the industry. According to Deadline, the deal will develop and produce scripted content for cable, streaming and more. The mother and daughter duo have also added NBCUniversal alum Lajoie St. George to lead development for 7th Sun.
Shahidi’s relationship with ABC will also bring a larger role with the actress’ production company, 7th Sun. The company will be considered a new addition to Disney Television Studios, and will be based on site.
This deal marks an expansion in ABC’s continued support for Shahidi throughout her monumental career. Shahidi became known for her starring role as Zoey Johnson on black-ish on ABC and Freeform spinoff grown-ish, which is ranked as the No.1 live action cable comedy series of the 2019-2020 TV season among African American Adults 18-34. Under the guidance of show creator Kenya Barris, Shahidi became the youngest producer on the network.
In a statement made by Yara, the multifaceted superstar said, “I’m thrilled to be partnering with my home family, ABC Studios, in this exciting next chapter, alongside my family. It’s exciting to add our production company to the roster of my peers and mentors who are also actively committed to sharing meaningful stories.”
ABC Studios president Jonnie Davis congratulated Shahidi on the exciting news stating, “We can’t wait to extend and expand our relationship with the incredibly talented Yara Shahidi, who has been a member of the family since ‘black-ish. When she’s not studying at Harvard and starring in our series ‘grown-ish,’ she’s mentoring and inspiring other young people, which makes us all feel like underachievers but also very proud that she’s part of our Studio.”
