Yara Shahidi is one of the most outspoken activists of her generation, hoping to shape the future into something positive for not only her generation but subsequent ones that will follow. Shahidi is one of the most talented and intelligent members of #younghollywood today. However, her influence doesn’t stop on the small screen and in activism circles, she is also one of the most versatile fashion-icons that young people have to look up to today.

Recently, the young Grown-ish star sat down with online magazine, Net-A-Porter.com to talk with former Teen Vogue editor, Elaine Welteroth. Check out an excerpt below of the interview. Just when we thought that we couldn’t love the new 18-year-old even more, she proves us wrong.

Welteroth: How do you feel in your last moments of 17? You are almost an adult. Grown-ish…

Shahidi: It’s kinda scary. 17 was more than good to me; it’s the perfect age because you get the full perks of being a teenager without being an adult. But the one thing that I am looking forward to is feeling more empowered to contribute. My friends have always said that if I got a fake ID, it would be to vote early.

Welteroth: The last time we sat down for a Teen Vogue cover story interview, you were 16 and we were preparing to have our first female president. So much has changed since then.

Shahidi: I think, oddly, it’s exciting because I don’t think that I would look forward to voting as much if there hadn’t been so much duress happening. It has made life less self-centric, it’s more about community now. And, I mean, it timed out really well for me in terms of going through this stage where you are trying to find your friend group, trying to find who you are, and for so many people to have this common agreement to want to help one another with everything that’s happening. It’s not usually how you start a friendship group: “You’re socially aware? Cool, great. We are friends now.” So that’s really special.