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Soo...You think you're Grown-ish!

#PrimpGirl
Jan 4, 2018
4 min read

We wanna start this blog off with a huge #PRIMPLIFE congratulations and round of applause to the beautiful and talented Yara Shahidi!! Not only is she #BLACKGIRLMAGIC personified but, she has her very own spin-off show that premiered, last night, January 3, 2018 on Freeform! For those that don't know Yara Shahidi also stars as Zoe Johnson in the ABC hit comedy series Black-ish!

If you missed the premiere of "Grown-ish", no worries... we are going to give you a full #PRIMPLIFE recap on what happened, or at least a well rounded review (lol). On a serious note, you have to tune in and see it for yourself!

My immediate reaction to the show was, "What an accurate depiction of life at a PWI!" For those of you that don't know, our founder, Jasmine Jones, attended a PWI (Predominately White Institution) as a fashion business major, just like Zoe (Yara Shahidi), and the similarities were spot on!

The diverse and unique/strange people and personalities you meet!
The fact that everyone has a crazy backstory or reason for attending.
The unfortunate high presence and use of performance drugs, such as, Adderall.
And of course, the overwhelming stress and fun of balancing your social life with rigorous academics!

The first episode had all that present and much more, which lets us know this show will be a BOP!

My friend and I could not stop gushing over some of the awkward and funny moments of the show during our text and watch session (because TV is always better with friends! lol). There were even some heart-felt moments, such as, (SPOILER ALERT) Zoe spilling the tea about ditching her new friend at a party! It also has a reflective feel to the show, as there are some freeze frames in which Zoe talks to the audience and explains her inner thoughts (not too many of them though).

Check out what others are saying about the show!

The characters are truly what makes this plot pop! The main casts includes...

Yara Shahidi as Zoe Johnson, the smart and seemingly well rounded good girl gone off to college to figure it all out and also the eldest daughter on the hit TV series, Black-ish! We get to see her develop her emotions as well as how she makes her decisions in her new grown up world. Also, her hair is slayed throughout each episode!

Trevor Jackson as Aaron, the obvious #MCM on the show with a passion for social activism and eyes for Zoe Johnson! Not only is Trevor and Yara a good look on screen but.. he is just wonderful to look at!

Emily Arlook as Nomi Segal, the vivacious and keep it real best friend, we all need one. She also struggles with balancing her sexual identity and her religious family/background.

Can't wait to see her character development!

Francia Raisa as Ana Torres, the low-key bff, turned enemy, turned bff again of Zoe. From the start we see that Ana is similar to Zoe and still trying to figure everything out. We also see her reaction to what seems to be a bad friendship.

Jordan Buhat as Vivek Shah, the smart and fresh college boy with ambition... and drugs (YIKES)! Who would have thought a drug dealer would be apart of the cast? All what makes this show humorous as well as realistic! He is cute too!

Luka Sabbat, as Luca Hall, the stylish, laid back, and weed-head friend who also seems to have eyes for Zoe. They are in the same major and his calm persona may help Zoe in the future. He also gives me Jaden Smith vibes! FUN FACT: He is a fashion influencer and model in real life! Read More.

Deon Cole as"Professor" Dr. Charlie Telphy. Cole portrays a digital marketing strategy professor with the same questionable wit and great humor he brings to Black-Ish, as Andre "Dre" Johnson's, friend and work colleague. His surprise cameos always leave me laughing!

Last but not least, my favs, the twins, Chloe and Halle Bailey, star as Jaslyn and Skylar aka Jaz and Sky! These popular track team stars have humble beginnings and a clean act act to go along with their fun and ratchet persona! Their sibling banter adds great dialogue to the show and their #BLACKGIRLMAGIC sparkles on screen. FUN FACT: These beauties are Beyonce's proteges and will be opening for Queen Bey at 2018 Coachella! They also recorded the opening theme song for Grown-ish.

Though most of these actors/actresses are rising stars to the Hollywood scene, their on screen characters have potential to add great depth to a college-based story line! From the premiere episode alone we can already see a love affair blooming between Zoe and Aaron, as well as a new found sisterhood with Ana. Its also great to see a diverse show about college from a young black woman's perspective. We are often left out of the picture and this show brings us front and center in a unique light.

As for the behind the scenes this show has great credentials. Kenya Barris, executive producer of Black-ish, has returned to produce "Grown-ish"! Anthony Anderson, portraying Andre "Dre" Johnson on Black-ish, Laurence Fishburne, portraying Pops on Black-ish, along with Helen Sugland and Brian Dobbins are also executive producers of the series.

I am not gonna give away the episode, you must go watch it for yourself but, I must say you are in for a thrill! The target audience seems to be college aged millennials as it displays the journey of growing into an adult in your college years. Navigating the social complexities of the world within a demanding environment while trying to make good decisions is something we will all experience. This show may help those of us still trying to figure that out.

The amount of #BLAKGIRLMAGIC displayed by Yara Shahidi and the twins are a call to #Primpgirl fans alone to watch this show! For those that already tuned in... what do you think is going to happen after that "U UP?" text sent by Aaron? We have all been through that one lol!