Yara Shahidi Had a Boyfriend for 3 Years & Is Now in a 'Selfish Season'

Although Yara Shahidi lets some details about her love life slip, the young actress has kept it relatively private. Having recently revealed the end of a years-long relationship, she admitted to stepping away from the love scene but remains hopeful of finding it again.

Minnesota native Yara Shahidi debuted onscreen at nine in the 2009 family comedy "Imagine That," as Olivia Danielson opposite Eddie Murphy. She transitioned to the TV scene, landing brief roles in several TV series, including "In the Motherhood," "Cold Case," and "Wizards of Waverly Place."

Shahidi also lent her voice to animated characters in the beloved shows "Special Agent Oso" and "Family Guy." At 14, she joined the cast of "Black-ish," alongside Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross in what would become her breakout role as Zoey Johnson.

The Hollywood starlet later led her own spin-off, "Grown-ish," with Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, and Luka Sabbat, whom she was once rumored to be dating. Most recently, she appeared as Tinker Bell in this year's adventure film, "Peter Pan and Wendy."

In addition to a Hollywood career, the young actress is a dedicated scholar and activist. And while those three are among Shahidi's main priorities, which she knows how to set straight, she has made room for love. Lately, however, she has been taking a break from romance.

Yara Shahidi Is in Her "Selfish Season"

In January this year, Shahidi appeared on "The Drew Barrymore Show" and shared insight into her love life and her perspective on romance. She divulged that she had recently ended a three-year relationship with a former flame whose identity she didn't disclose.

The romance seemingly meant a great deal to Shahidi, who said she was a "big commitment person," after revealing how long it lasted. Following its end, she said she wasn't quite sure what to do with herself or if she wanted to date at the moment.

"I'm just taking some me time. My friends and I are calling it 'selfish season,'" she added. Still, the "Grownish" star hasn't removed love from her cards. When asked if she believed people would go to great lengths to find each other, Shahidi said she hoped so.

She also believed in love at first sight and gave full credit for that conviction to her parents' love story. When her mom first saw her dad in a restaurant, she said — without really meaning to — "Oh my God, that's my husband," despite never having met him. Fast forward, he indeed became her husband, and the couple raised a family.

And while dating is on pause for Shahidi, she has her hands full with her career. In January 2022, the young activist joined the Dior Forever Sisterhood Movement alongside Natalie Portman after being named a Global Brand Ambassador the year before.

Other ambassadors of the fashion house include Anya Taylor-Joy and Jisoo of BLACKPINK. In addition, Shahidi also pursued a degree double-majoring in Interdisciplinary Sociology and African American Studies at Harvard University. Former First Lady Michelle Obama wrote her letter of recommendation to the university.

Yara Shahidi Was Always a Busy Person

In a 2017 interview, Shahidi said she hadn't dated anybody or had the time to. "My general outlook is if I don’t have time to take a bath on a regular basis, then I don’t have time for another human. I love being busy, and I enjoy where I am at right now," the actress explained.

Three years later, she posted a short thread of photos with her "Grownish" co-star, writing, "SABBAT [twinkle star emoji] Happy birthday dude! I don't know how we are both such different people and also twins, but it works." The sweet tribute sparked dating rumors. They fizzled after some time when it appeared the two were only good friends.