All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
A year after graduating from college, most people are working a nine-to-five job or simply trying to recover from four years of ongoing stress. Yara Shahidi, on the other hand, went from the role of Harvard student to that of Tinker Bell in the upcoming film Peter Pan & Wendy. “It was really fun because it was just so different from anything I've ever filmed before,” Shahidi tells Allure. (She was a multi-tasking co-ed, also starring in the TV series Black-ish and Grown-ish.) To harness the power of visual effects, the actor filmed most of her scenes as Tinker Bell in a studio by herself listening to audio recordings from the other actors.
This isn’t the only way the film breaks new ground. It also marks the first time Tinker Bell is being played by a woman of color. “When the offer came through and we started filming, I understood that it was a big deal,” says Shahidi. “Especially as somebody who grew up on fairy tales, where they didn't really include many people who looked like me.”
In fact, Shahidi was once a print model for Disney, dressing up as different characters for store campaigns. “I would dress up as Cinderella, Kim Possible, and Princess Jasmine for them to put in their stores, but I was always the Black version of a character,” Shahidi tells Allure. “So it feels very full circle to now be playing Tinker Bell, and to not be necessarily the Black version of, but just Tinker Bell.”
Ahead of the film’s premiere, Allure spoke with Shahidi about the cultural importance of her role and the beauty and wellness practices that got her through filming.
Allure: What was the most difficult part of playing Tinker Bell?
Yara Shahidi: It required a whole other level of creativity, belief, and fantasy because I had to come to set knowing that I was shooting in just this empty stage, and immerse myself in Neverland.
As an actor, it was quite honestly pretty enjoyable to try and figure out how I was going to accomplish that. The director, David Lowry, and I went back and forth about performance ideas and inspiration. We pulled from a lot of silent movies, just because you do have to be so expressive and emotive when you say certain words since you're speaking in a fairy language.
Allure: What was the hair and makeup transformation like?
Shahidi: The challenge was finding a look that felt classic and timeless, like it was still a nod to previous Tinker Bells, the Tinker Bell we know and love. [But] at the same time also adding that twist that felt like [this look] was grounded in who I am. It was important to incorporate braids — so I have what looks like almost a braided headband in this look — and to embrace my texture. I have curls sticking out at different times.
We wanted to create that no-makeup look because she's a fairy that appears in her most magical form, and she needs to look like this just comes so naturally to her. You don't think about whether Tinker Bell has makeup on. So it was about creating that natural glowiness. The fact that she has nice shiny skin just adds to that kind of magic aura.
Allure: You’ve tried lots of creative natural hairstyles including boho Bantu knots and a long bubble ponytail. Is there one you’ve yet to wear but want to?
Shahidi: Oh my God, great question. I haven't done just a classic bob. I really want to do one with braids or something like a braided bob. It’s on my list of things I've yet to try.
Allure: What are some of the go-to wellness practices that help you stay grounded, especially when you’re on set?
Shahidi: My basic routine involves a cup of Persian tea in the morning. When I'm on set, people laugh because I have a cup with me that's 40 ounces that's just filled with sweet Persian tea. But that keeps me going. I'm also a podcast girl. No matter where I am, it helps me carve out my own little space when I have my headphones in and a podcast on. And I love music. I run on music. And so for me, I know it's everything from having a playlist for the day to prioritizing live music events in my life.
Allure: What have you been listening to lately?
Shahidi: Tyler the Creator's new song Estate Sale is great. Someone's Calling, the intro to Chlöe Bailey's album, is spectacular. It's just so haunting, it's a perfect way to start any playlist. I think it starts all the playlists that I've made this month.
Allure: What’s one of your favorite beauty looks from the past?
Shahidi: My Imagine That premiere that I attended when I was nine. I had lip gloss on and some mascara, but I'd like to think I was ahead of the curve in terms of this no-makeup makeup trend. But in all honesty, I'm just grateful that I had a very positive relationship with makeup at a young age.
Thinking more recently, my [2021] Met Gala look. It was the beauty that made the entire moment feel like a real homage to Josephine Baker. We were able to accomplish it with subtle changes like switching out my typical fluffy brow for a thin pencil brow. Even the way my lips were lined made a huge difference because suddenly I had [Josephine Baker’s] own lip shape and more of a throwback fifties lip [look]. But I love that I still looked and felt like myself. I didn’t feel like I was in a costume. But with just those small tweaks, it still helped with this transformation.
Allure: What’s your current beauty obsession?
Shahidi: Honestly, it was finding my nude lip [color]. The Rouge Dior line was one of the first where I felt comfortable in just about every color, but 810 is my perfect nude. It feels like it blends well with my skin tone. My team and I typically used to have to combine five different lipsticks to find my perfect shade so to have my nude color in a bottle is magic. [Ed. note: Shahidi is an ambassador for the brand.]
Allure: What’s something that most people don’t know about you?
Shahidi: I feel like I'm pretty transparent, but I guess the one thing is sometimes because of my educational background, people think I'm really serious. Especially when you add in public speaking and such. I've even heard from friends that I can be kind of intimidating. In my mind, that personally makes no sense because I'm just a goofy individual. I don't know if goofy is the best word, but oftentimes I roll into spaces, and because I have this world of public speaking and this world of academia — and sure, I love using a big word now and then — people don't realize that I’m a lot more relaxed and down to earth.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Read more celebrity interviews:
- How Quinta Brunson's Beauty Routine Has Changed in Her 'Abbott Elementary' Era
- Sydney Sweeney Has More Hobbies Than Anyone We Know
- Jennifer Aniston Has Nothing to Hide
Watch Chlöe Bailey try nine things she's never done before:
