- Yara Shahidi makes history as the first Black woman to play Tinker Bell in Disney’s upcoming reboot.
- Shahidi held 180 different facial expressions for her portrayal of Tinker Bell, nodding towards the classic feistiness that we love about the character.
- Shahidi expresses her excitement about the role and how it reminds her of how much she enjoys the creativity of her job.
Yara Shahidi has made history as the first Black woman to play Tinker Bell in Disney’s upcoming reboot. In an interview with People magazine, Shahidi talks about her experience taking on this memorable role and the significance of having a Black Tinker Bell.
Shahidi reveals that when she was offered the role, she asked the writer-director, David Lowery, what they wanted to accomplish with this remake of a beloved classic.
Yara Shahidi was pleased to find out that the entire Disney team was committed to doing more than just swapping out ethnicities. They wanted to tell a story that felt reflective of the times we’re in.
For her portrayal of Tinker Bell, Shahidi held 180 different facial expressions, nodding towards the classic feistiness that we love about the character. She filmed her scenes separately from the rest of the cast, trying to recreate the immersive experience and literally fantasize the world around her.
Shahidi expresses her excitement about the role, stating that she can argue that there’s something really powerful about having a Black Tinker Bell. It reminds her of how much she enjoys the creativity of her job.
Yara Shahidi FAQs
Who is Yara Shahidi and what is her role in the Disney reboot?
Yara Shahidi is an actress who has made history as the first Black woman to play Tinker Bell in Disney’s upcoming reboot.
What did Shahidi ask the writer-director David Lowery when she was offered the role?
Shahidi asked Lowery what they wanted to accomplish with this remake of a beloved classic.
Why is Shahidi’s portrayal of Tinker Bell significant?
Shahidi’s portrayal of Tinker Bell is significant because she is the first Black woman to play the character, nodding towards the classic feistiness that we love about her and reflecting the times we’re in.
