Let Curiosity Lead | Yara Shahidi | TED

Don't second-guess what "distracts" you, says actor-producer Yara Shahidi; that's your curiosity coming through. The star of hit shows like "black-ish" and "grown-ish" tells how she learned to spot clues to her own future - and how you can, too.
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[@Kheetti]

Yara’s intelligence and maturity is mesmerising!!!😊

[@Canelacurls]

She talks in poetry. I love it.

[@wilseekollie7479]

She does!!

[@alexandermoody1946]

This really sums up the importance of nurturing children in a way that emphasises the qualities of imagination.

[@hermon.th3]

I have a movie for you. "Imagine that" 😁

[@alexandermoody1946]

I will look for that if I remember and find time. Kind regards

[@zipho]

precisely

[@tinamylove3223]

I’m a junior in high school. People look at me strangely when I say that I wish I could go to school forever. You put my thoughts into beautiful words ❤

[@myparceltape1169]

At university a man was pointed out to me and described as a 'perpetual student '.

[@devindozier4043]

If you enjoy learning go for it! Nothing wrong with a hungry curiosity:)

[@kingkiwikong]

We never really stop learning. The world is our school.

[@pratheekhp2222]

Do PhD and become a researcher- life long learning, satisfaction and drive is just next level! ❤

[@ouuyou6584]

once you grow up people look at you the same for saying you dont want to get married or something, always be true to yourself and dont let societal pressures of what is “normal” ever bring u down

[@WithintheBeyond]

I'm hypnotized by her choice of words!!

[@macosbyanthony896]

And her beauty too

[@annanims7876]

Mee too, what a great command of words. She is probably hard to beat in SCRABBLE 😊!

[@fabioazevedo9457]

The way she speaks about systems of oppression without leaving behind the beautiful ways people resist is inspiring.

[@essyqueen478]

I was spellbound watching her speak. Had to watch it twice. What a phenomenal young lady. I can tell from her speech she’s an avid reader. Her family must be proud.

[@MsWicked19]

“…suppressing your own curiosity and realizing that made it so much easier to pick apart every potential decision, instead of taking action”. It is overwhelmingly affirming to hear this. Once I realized what I am most curious about at this point in time, and I let it guide me, I no longer faced the same inexplicable sense of needing to withhold myself to make a thoughtful choice on my future.

[@nzeakograce1813]

Yara, you were absolutely precise in your delivery and your life held the gravity for more possibilities

[@brightcoco]

Felt like you just entered my messy brain and decluttered my thoughts and organized them into a beautiful speech...This is exactly what I wanted to say/hear...Inspiring indeed!!

[@rejoicennedi]

Felt like poetry ❤ thanks Yara

[@shakilaji5570]

Her cloth is outstanding❤😊😊😊😊❤😊❤

[@latoyabrown9107]

"Who are you right now?" I'm adding that question to my social interactions.

[@sgarrita2561]

I am nearly 60 yo first gen American, upper middle class never married, white woman --seemingly nothing in common… however I can say personally when I’ve allowed my curiousity to lead me, I have always benefitted. When I’ve let societal norms, pressures, and obligations carry me through, while I have learned and benefitted to some degree, I have often been left empty, crushed, and broken. If we societally let curiosity lead every individual, we would be a much healthier and happier society. I applaud you Yara Shahidi!!! May you lead and thrive!!!

[@sba_southafrica]

It seems like you have an interesting life story to share...

[@Ruth.Irabor]

Watched at X0.75 speed to catch it all. Her shoes matches with her shirt and its absolutely gorgeous

[@Lissa102]

she blows my. mind she speaks so beautifully and eloquently it sounds like poetry every time she opens her mouth, I'm mesmerized I forget how young she is I continuously have to look up her age beauty brains and maturity, 😍😍

[@lauragill5121]

I've always had a wide variety of passions, struggled with this in college myself!! I'm an older white woman, but I am totally cheering for you and your generation ❤❤❤❤❤❤. My son, his partner, my nieces and nephews.... And myself! Keep asking questions and learning new stuff FOREVER!!

[@dameanvil]

00:00 🌍 The speaker reflects on the expansive imagination of childhood and laments the narrowing focus in adulthood, emphasizing the need for imagination in the present world. 1:14 🧠 In today's world, imagination is crucial for envisioning possibilities and addressing challenges; curiosity is highlighted as a key tool for building new realities. 3:30 🎓 The speaker, a Harvard alum with a television show, faced a challenge blending academic and entertainment pursuits but emphasizes the universal struggle of juggling diverse interests. 4:21 🤷‍♂ Societal pressure often pushes individuals towards specialization, limiting exploration of multiple passions, and underestimating the value of curiosity. 6:04 🌐 Suppression of curiosity can lead to a false sense of certainty, hindering decision-making and personal growth; the speaker advocates for embracing curiosity. 8:37 🚀 Curiosity's results are described as "rupture," challenging traditional norms, and emphasizing its potential to shape new possibilities and realities. 10:07 ✨ Historical examples show that leaders of social change often pursued their passions and curiosities outside their designated fields. 10:13 🌈 Curiosity's byproduct is possibility, and the speaker encourages recommitting to curiosity as a way to expand options and build new futures.

[@ItsEvanWilson]

Such a great talk - this is an honest and simple reminder of how easy it is to forget being curious. This talk is exceptional as it tells us that we should continue pursing our interests that pulls gratitude closer to our hearts ❤

[@sunshinesheis]

Yara, this was beautifully said. I am inspired. Thanks for the reminder, 'let curiosity lead' ❤

[@Zoe-zy2jr]

I enjoyed watching this so much. The by-product of curiosity is possibilities. Possibilities show up when you let yourself be curious. "What will my life look like if I read so and so book?" "What does it feel like to overcome that fear or addiction?" "Where will my life be in 2, 3, 5,...years if I took that risk" There is so much power in curiosity. It pushes one to look beyond "limitations". This is an amazing talk! 👏🏽

[@Imuzennin]

Thank you TED I'm learning English here. ❤

[@melmelexplores]

Love her confidence ❤

[@lovergal8457]

as a pre-med student cornell university with an intended career in medicine, i also have a very strong innate passion for entertainment - modeling, acting, screenwriting, film. 2 industries that are very demanding. i refuse to give up either part for the other. that’s like giving up half of me.

[@fizzabaloch6422]

I really liked the way she has presented and talked about curiosity

[@mvo9353]

Am I the only one that kept thinking of the Rock when she repeated "are you sure about that?"

[@Her.Excellency]

Yara is a sure choice for every youth to admire ❤

[@GanieGhani]

Not me watching this on my lunch break at work making me cry. That was powerful and so well said. TY Yara! :)

[@Kayyllaa_]

All of this has been on my mind recently and it's so refreshing to hear Yara (someone who inspires me) talking about just that!!

[@nafisehlatifi7646]

This was an amazing reminder, and thank you thank you so much for remembering protesters in iran and reminding that all of this comes from a dream.

[@fairking4689]

Really inspiring confidence❤

[@Scoob_455]

Really good TED talk, intellectually gifted, naturally gifted, God bless her🩷

[@ericametta6964]

Wow Yara, your delivery is inspiring and astounding. completely mesmerized by your choice of words and overall message. Thank you for the reminder!

[@aaliyahlinkov]

I'm so proud, true inspiration

[@Mayonaise55]

Yara is so brilliant and an icon

[@fieldtofounder]

❤️ her message was impeccable. Truly inspiring

[@thelmanwachukwu3620]

What an intelligent and talented woman

[@EverythingQueenshono]

Yara is incredible!!! Such a young, inspiring, inspirational talent.

[@kadijhastrong8787]

I'm all here for yara she's so bright and intelligent and she's have alot to say she's in activist , and she's on the right path ,

[@Tadiwamukonza17]

Such an important reminder, thank you Yara! ❤

[@flosesay4937]

Loved every second of this video🤍 such a motivational speaker

[@chioma_nkamuo]

I love her speaking skill, it's fascinating.

[@bigthebla]

Suddenly, everything made sense. I'ma come back to this a couple of times this year 🥹

[@lovergal8457]

i couldn’t have said it better myself i resonated with every word

[@decypher7]

Amazing👏👏👏loved the punchline, "The result of Curiosity is possibility."

[@charlishajett7841]

I literally love her and her essence. I soo relate to this!

[@OkayKaush]

Best motivational talk ever! Because I could relate to a lot of what she said :)

[@nellynakhero4571]

"Refuse to let your world get smaller, and let's build new futures together", mic-drop for Yara who still continues to inspire not just me but over 120K people worldwide.

[@Chansaeraedesigns]

This was awesome. Thank you for refocusing us on our inate curiosity

[@hyun0709]

Yara, that’s a great lecture. I used to have a lot of thoughts about my curisoity, but after watching your lecture, I felt that my thoughts were sorted out. I found it very bad to suppress my current curiosity because of my prudence about the future. From this point onwards, I will realize what I am most curious about and explore it very actively!

[@1NicolaPratt]

Inspired what a beautiful talk, with a lot of food for thought that I need to spend some time digesting. Thank you for encouraging me to explore my passions ❤ God bless you 🙏🏾

[@MEGLAMOUR101]

Yes President Yara👏🏾👏🏾

[@Moresoulsciggy]

Amazing I grasped a lot from this short talk

[@mwihaki__]

You put my thoughts into words and affirmed my doubts. This made me understand the principle I live by (remaining curious) better than I thought I did .Wow!Just wow!

[@qazaleh94]

wow Yara ... it was so great .. so proud of you and thank you

[@nolwazizondi1306]

Needed to hear this! ❤

[@slicksisterss]

This!! It feels so good to be seen

[@ashleyofuokwu1387]

Somebody give her book deal 🤩 Fantastic job Yara

[@Schwa99ySpic3]

Yara 🥹 you are so beautiful in your element! This message really hit home for me. ✨🫶🏾

[@vluna8983]

Loved your presentation 🎉

[@Passion84GodAlways]

Thank you for sharing this perspective with us! 😊

[@feggyfo]

She's so smart

[@kylestfurcy3532]

Just what I needed to hear ✨ chase your curiosity

[@MelSpeaksMD]

I love this! My heart pulls me in so many directions and I’ve come to the decision that “staying in your lane” is faulty advice given by ppl who lack vision. I love that she’s carving out her own path in Hollywood and academia 🤍

[@jadakamau7341]

What an AMAZING speech!!!

[@NeicyD14]

Beautifully said!!!❤❤❤❤❤ Well done 👏

[@soulspirationgoddess]

This was empowering. Thank you Yara

[@susanmuchirahondo6801]

I was waiting so long for you to do a ted talk

[@nikieria]

She is an amazing speaker!!!!!

[@odeyalefavour5306]

Exactly what I needed 😭😭😭

[@jaysenclarkee]

This video is so inspiring thanks Yara!

[@lolaa2]

Incredible piece, I really needed to hear this 👏

[@lakep7798]

That was just beautiful!

[@Luvsinging100]

Incredible speech ! Really got me thinking ! Love this ! ❤👏🏽 “are you sure about that?”

[@christinemwangi7176]

So so good Ms. Yara, listening to your Ted from Kenya.

[@CP-uc1hd]

I just did BA work for TED 2024 in Vancouver and let me just say, this was my best work experience ever!!! i'm so sad its over hopefully ill be back next year:)

[@michaelmcneil3471]

Brilliant Well said & well put🎯🥂

[@wendyvidzah]

Yara for president! ❤

[@imaniokwuosa5549]

Yara, I love you, but most importantly, thank you for your work.

[@thelmaakpata199]

Such a beautiful speech

[@davidchukwuocha7052]

Bright and beautiful young lady with a great speech. Amazing !

[@makemoremstakes]

That was breathtaking and yet a breath of fresh air

[@edithharmon6810]

Just Beautiful!!!! Wise and filled with encouragement to be ALL you can be not some. ✊🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@oxlegacy]

This was exactly what I needed to hear today🙌🏾🔥

[@pb5581]

so beautifully put

[@user-fn4jg8vq2d]

Loved your presentation

[@auspeacious]

She’s incredible

[@thembz3464]

Deep and beautiful knowledge ❤️

[@shadowboy3915]

This is a beautiful ted talk. She is a timeless woman. Amazing 🥳🥳🥳

[@AuthenticWe]

Huggz from Iowa and the deep mind thank you for giving the world this

[@martinsimonea4228]

I needed this message today.

[@neilybugg]

Now this is remarkable!

[@bubeudeh]

literally brought me TO TEARS !

[@B_ready4671]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 so well said and important, curiosity is actually what drives us in this human experience and began at our beginning , it's the 1 characteristic we've all had all our lives...Rupture masterful!

[@nyaluv143]

So great !!!!

[@AlhadiSeneen]

oh. you left me speechless

[@MoorishBrooklyn]

This was a wonderful talk. Stay curious. Be life long students.

[@chideraokoli171]

Thank you

[@ambssbeth]

She is so beautiful ❤

[@Beyondthebeauty917]

What a blessing ❤