Grown-ish

About Grown-ish

Grown-ish is a successful American television sitcom that first aired on Freeform in January 2018. Created by Kenya Barris and Larry Wilmore, the series is a spin-off of the acclaimed TV show "Black-ish" (2014) and follows the Johnsons' eldest daughter Zoey (Yara Shahidi) as she navigates the challenges of her collegiate life. Featuring a unique blend of humor and heartfelt earnestness, Grown-ish often tackles complex social and racial issues, as well as the day-to-day challenges faced by college students.

Making / Production

The creation of Grown-ish came about due to the critical and commercial success of the show Black-ish. Seeing an opportunity to continue the narrative of Zoey's character, creator Kenya Barris and Larry Wilmore developed the storyline to fit into her newly-found freedom and responsibilities in college. Filmed in Los Angeles, the series effectively captures the vibrant college lifestyle and creates contemporary campus narratives that resonate with the younger generation.

Actors

• Yara Shahidi as Zoey Johnson - The confident, fashion-loving lead, navigating her way through college life and growing up challenges. Shahidi flawlessly portrays her character's external charm and internal struggles.
• Trevor Jackson as Aaron Jackson - Jackson plays a passionate activist student who is also among Zoey's top love interests. His portrayal of Aaron equally brings out the character's seriousness and charm.
• Emily Arlook as Nomi Segal - Arlook plays Nomi, a bold and opinionated bisexual woman, with empathy and gusto, making her character's journey at college very relatable.
• Francis Comtois as Luca Hall - As the free-spirited, rule-breaker design student and another of Zoey's love interest. Comtois plays Luca with an effortless cool that fits the character perfectly.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Yara Shahidi was actually attending Harvard University while playing a college student on Grown-ish.
• The series creator, Kenya Barris, also created the show that Grown-ish is a spin-off of, Black-ish.
• In a nod to the show's lineage, Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, who play Zoey's parents in Black-ish, made guest appearances on Grown-ish.

Awards

Grown-ish has received a nomination for the Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Funny TV Show. Yara Shahidi also won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in the series in 2019.

Quotes

• "The world will try to make you feel like there's something wrong with you yourself, and there's not. It's hard not to let it break you." - Nomi Segal
• "College is a game and it's not about working hard, it's about working the system." - Zoey Johnson
• "A relationship without trust is like pushing a door marked 'pull.' It just won't work." - Aaron Jackson

Music, Soundtrack

• "Grown" by Chloe x Halle - The theme song of the show, performed by the two actresses who also appear in the series.
• "Cartier Frames" by Nafe Smallz ft. M Huncho - This song was featured in one of the memorable party scenes in the series.
• "Alright" by Kendrick Lamar - This song, which has become a social justice anthem, is used effectively in the series to highlight moments of resilience and solidarity.