'It's rare that I see somebody who I can relate to': Star of Shonda Rhimes' new show calls for more diversity in film and the beauty industries

  • Medalion Rahimi, 24, is set to star on Still Star-Crossed on ABC when it premieres later this month
  • The Iranian-American actress said she thinks characters of certain backgrounds should be cast with actors of the same culture
  • She also pointed out that women like to buy things modeled by women who look like them, so the beauty industry should better sell to Middle Eastern women 

By Carly Stern For Dailymail.com

Published: 17:41 EST, 18 May 2017 | Updated: 18:07 EST, 18 May 2017

Televisions shows created and produced by Shonda Rhimes are known for their incredibly diverse casts — but the star of her latest project is not impressed with the diversity in the rest of the industry.

Medalion Rahimi, 24, is set to star in the upcoming Shonda Rhimes-produced, Romeo and Juliet sequel Still Star-Crossed, which premieres on May 29 on ABC.

Speaking to Teen Vogue in a new interview, the up-and-comer explained why she thinks the film and television industries still have a way to go in being inclusive of different races and cultures.

Medalion Rahimi, 24, spoke about a need for more diversity in movies and TV

Medalion Rahimi, 24, spoke about a need for more diversity in movies and TV

She stars in the new Shondaland show Still Star-Crossed, which premieres later this month

She stars in the new Shondaland show Still Star-Crossed, which premieres later this month

Medalion may seem familiar to fans of one of Shonda's other shows, The Catch, on which she played Princess Zara Al-Salim.

Though the first generation Iranian-American actress' casting for the role of a Middle Eastern princesses was spot-on, she pointed out how so many films and TV shows are still casting actors with different ethnicities to the parts they play.

'If [the character] is specific to that culture, I think they should try and find somebody who is actually of that ethnicity,' she said.

It's not just Hollywood where representation isn't what it could be, though. Madlion also sees poor representation of Middle Eastern women in ads, which she thinks is a big mistake for brands. 

The Iranian-American actress said she thinks there needs to be more effort to fill ethnic roles with actors of the same ethnicities 

The Iranian-American actress said she thinks there needs to be more effort to fill ethnic roles with actors of the same ethnicities 

She would also like to see better representation in beauty ads, as well as the beauty products that are sold

She would also like to see better representation in beauty ads, as well as the beauty products that are sold

'If you see ads with a certain girl who looks like you, you'll be like, "Oh, I want to wear that makeup. It looks good on her, maybe it'll look good on me,"' she says. 'And it's rare that I see somebody who I can relate to.'

With the beauty and personal care industries growing so rapidly in the Middle East, it seems companies may be missing a business opportunity.  

'Women [in Iran] are done to the nines, always, and they're a big part of the market,' she said. 'In other parts of the Middle East, as well. It would be nice to advertise to them.'

Luckily, Medalion said, she sees things changing, and has herself even had opportunities to model for beauty ads.

She previously appeared in several episodes of Shonda Rhimes' The Catch (pictured)

She previously appeared in several episodes of Shonda Rhimes' The Catch (pictured)

'I've been lucky enough to be approached by beauty lines. Things haven't panned out at this time, but [it's significant] for being an Iranian-American,' she said.

But she'd like to do more than just have women better represented in the ads — she wants to see their needs come up in the products themselves.

She dreams of one day starting her own beauty brand, which would have make-up colors that work for skin tones like hers, and hair products that work on curly tresses. 

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