Daughter of Afshin Shahidi, a photographer, and Keri Shahidi, an actress. Her father is Iranian-American. Her mother is African-American.
Yara plans to become a historian, specializing in world history, while continuing to pursue her love of acting.
Is a first cousin, once removed, of rapper Nas. Yara's maternal great-grandparents, Ella Mae and Charles Rufus Jones, were Nas's maternal grandparents.
A student of the martial art form, Tang Soo Do, Yara has earned her black belt.