Shahadi Wright Joseph, who has been acting since she was 9 years old, appeared in her first major acting role as young Nala in the Broadway musical adaptation “The Lion King,” and there's no ending in sight. While she may be a star of the moment due to her roles in the feature film “Us” and the hit show “Them,” it’s safe to say she'll be staying busy far into the future.

Check out this exclusive fashion shoot and exclusive interview as we catch up with the starlet about her career and more.

How are you spending your time during summer break from school?
This summer, I've been really getting into fitness. I've actually been doing SoulCycle for the past month and a half. I've also been shopping and writing a lot as well.

How do you find the balance between work and allowing yourself to be Shahadi?
I try to find a balance by making free time for my friends and family. Taking breaks from work is so very vital to avoid burn out and maintain overall mental health, especially when I'm around the people I love. I feel most like myself when I'm around my favorite folks.

**Left:**
Shirt by AKNVAS
Pant by AKNVAS
Shoes by Vivienne Hu
Necklace by Erickson Beamon
**Right:**
Dress by AKNVAS
Trench coat by AKNVAS
Shoes by Stella Hues
Earrings by Erickson Beamon

How did you find the drive to succeed despite the no’s you’ve faced and the perfectionism required of young stars?
I always tell myself, "No matter how many 'no's I receive, there will always be a yes." As someone who tends to doubt herself, I try to always remember that consistency is key, especially in the acting industry.

As a Broadway and film star, is theatre acting different from film acting?
Theater acting is most definitely different from film acting. In the theater, your technique has to be a lot more exaggerated and explosive. The reason being that you want every single person in the audience to feel the energy of the dialogue. Film acting is a lot more subtle. It doesn't take as much to connect to an audience. It's all about realism. I love both methods, but I enjoy film acting the most.

**Left:**
Shirt by Victoria Hayes
Skirt by Victoria Hayes
Trench coat by Victoria Hayes
**Right:**
Top by Victoria Hayes
Skirt by Victoria Hayes
Shoes by Versace

Did you ever expect to get into the literary world in general?
To be honest, I think I always knew. Throughout my childhood, I would constantly write. I always thought to myself, "You know, if this acting thing doesn't work out, I could always be a writer." I've always loved creating dialogue, writing scripts, and storytelling. Writing is probably the first thing I confidently said that I am "good" at.

Tell us more about your new literary project.
During the quarantine, I decided to put my literary skills to the test by partnering with my good friend and "This is Us" cast member Eris Baker to write professionally and to start producing our own projects. I can't say too much about it, but please stay tuned for the exciting things we've been working on.

**Left:**
Suit by Deity New York
Boots by Ruthie Davis
**Right:**
Suit by Victoria Hayes
Shirt by Victoria Hayes
Jewelry by Erickson Beamon

What’s a Gen-Z fashion trend with which you’re currently obsessed?
Lately, I've been absolutely obsessed with the fitness-core I've been seeing around New York City. Whether it's LuluLemon, Alo Yoga, or GymShark, I love the cute, casual look of workout clothes.

You’ve grown into a full-fledged multihyphenate. What’s a role that you’d like to do next?
I told myself that I want to explore all genres of acting when it comes to my future projects: comedy, suspense, sci-fi, etc. Lately, I've been loving the idea of doing a dramatic/Indie type role. Some of my favorite movies to watch include a lot of A24 films, so if I ever got the opportunity to star in one, that means one of my dreams would have come true.

**Left:**
Top by Victoria Hayes
Skirt by Victoria Hayes
Shoes by Versace
**Right:**
Shirt by AKNVAS
Pant by AKNVAS
Necklace by Erickson Beamon

Hollywood's Colorism Problem Can't Be Ignored any longer. Why does this matter?
Colorism has been an issue in Hollywood for generations. Even though my peers have been vocal about calling out discrimination of any kind, colorism is still a problem that's alive and well today. Confronting it is so important because I recognize how radical it is to see a dark-skinned girl like myself on screen (which shouldn't be the case) and how vital it is for young girls who look like me to see themselves as heroes, comedians, nerds, etc. I do this for the girls who do.

Social Media.
Instagram: @shahadi