Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

Early Life and Tamil Heritage

Born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan’s story began in Mississauga, Ontario, where she was born on December 28, 2001. Unlike many Hollywood stars who grew up around the world, she spent her childhood years in this Canadian city, right in the Meadowvale area. Mississauga’s multicultural environment shaped her outlook on life from the start. “I was born and raised in Mississauga, in the Meadowvale area, and I’ve always said I’ve been truly blessed to grow up in an area that’s so diverse,” Ramakrishnan said in an interview. The city’s cultural mosaic became part of who she was, though she didn’t fully appreciate it at first: “I don’t think I really understood how special [Mississauga’s diversity] was until I left. You can take it for granted how diverse the area is”.

Tamil parents who fled civil war

Maitreyi’s Canadian life stems from her family’s powerful story of resilience and fresh starts. Her parents, Ram Selvarajah and Kiruthiha Kulendiren, left India as refugees during the country’s devastating civil war. They were among many Tamil people who escaped violence and persecution in their homeland. Her parents built a stable home in Canada where they raised her and her brother. Her father works as an IT Specialist, and her mother serves as a Marketing Officer. Her understanding of her heritage shows how she balances her dual cultural identity.

Cultural influences on her childhood

Life in a Tamil-Canadian household shaped Maitreyi’s early years by a lot. Her parents kept their cultural roots alive despite living far from their homeland. They created a home that mixed traditional Tamil values with Canadian culture. “For me, it wasn’t about being ashamed of being Tamil. It was this question of figuring out what it means to be Tamil. Especially because I couldn’t speak or write the language,” Maitreyi has explained. She stayed connected to Tamil culture through different ways. As a child, she and her brother enjoyed Tamil cinema, watching films like Vijay’s “Pokkiri” and Rajnikanth’s “Chandramukhi”. These movies helped her appreciate Tamil arts and storytelling. She takes pride in representing Tamil people worldwide, saying, “I want other Tamils all over the world to feel pride that Tamil people are making it”.

Education at Meadowvale Secondary School

Maitreyi found her love for performing arts at Meadowvale Secondary School in Mississauga. Before her Netflix stardom, she was just like any other Canadian high school student. She started acting in her school’s production of “Footloose”. This first taste of theater during her sophomore year lit a creative spark that would change her path. She decided to become a professional actor in her final year at Meadowvale. This choice came just before the open casting call that would transform her life. After graduating in 2019, she planned to go to university. The sudden casting in “Never Have I Ever” changed her plans, and she put college on hold to focus on what became her breakthrough role.

From Indian to the World

From School Plays to Open Casting Call

First acting experiences in high school

The accidental actress started her acting experience in a simple setting. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan made her acting debut in her high school’s production of “Footloose” when her drama teacher invited her to audition. She had no professional acting experience before this unexpected chance. The “Footloose” stage became more than her theatrical debut—it created two life-changing relationships. She met her best friend during this production and found a deep passion for acting that changed her path completely.

The fateful Netflix open audition

A casual afternoon plan transformed Ramakrishnan’s career. She planned to take a “nice afternoon nap” on her couch in April 2019 when her best friend showed her a Twitter announcement from Mindy Kaling. Kaling’s post looked for South Asian women to audition for the lead role in her then-untitled coming-of-age comedy, co-created with Lang Fisher. Ramakrishnan decided to audition simply “to hang out with my best friend,” not from career ambition. They reserved a room at their local library community center and spent an hour learning to use the camera before recording her first audition tape with her mother’s camera.

Beating 15,000 candidates for ‘Never Have I Ever’

The audition process grew beyond that original library recording. Ramakrishnan sent four more videos within a week after her first self-tape. The creative team then invited her to Los Angeles for an in-person screen test. She competed against nearly 15,000 other hopefuls who responded to Kaling’s open casting call. Just one month after sending her first tape, Ramakrishnan—who decided to become a professional actor only in her final year at Meadowvale—won the role of Devi Vishwakumar.

Preparation met opportunity when Ramakrishnan approached her first professional role with dedication. Without formal training, she created her own disciplined method: “I’d memorize my lines, like pitch perfect every single day before I went on set, I made sure that my lines for the whole day were master memory”. She worked hard on specific acting challenges, especially with emotional scenes: “I think the most challenging thing to film are all of the crying ones… I didn’t know how to cry on command… So that was something I really, really practiced, like off set to make sure that I could get there”.

Parental support proved vital in her move to professional acting. Ramakrishnan’s parents showed strong support when she landed the role at 17 years old. They took turns staying with her on set during filming. Their family support let her focus on her breakthrough performance. Her path from high school drama student to Netflix lead took less than a year. Variety called her casting story “the kind of fairy tale that normally comes from the mind of a TV writer”.

Breakthrough Role as Devi Vishwakumar

Working with Mindy Kaling

A bond that went beyond work grew between Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Mindy Kaling while creating “Never Have I Ever.” Ramakrishnan considers Kaling “a mentor for life” and “the coolest” person to work with. Their connection grew stronger than a typical actor-producer relationship. Kaling treated the inexperienced Ramakrishnan as an equal, despite her lack of acting background. Their collaboration helped Ramakrishnan learn about industry challenges, especially when it came to women of color. “People will continue to underestimate you. People will not value you,” Kaling told her. This advice motivated Ramakrishnan to enhance her skills through vocal and dance lessons. Kaling, who created the show based on her own life as an Indian-American teen, knew right away that “she’s a star” after meeting Ramakrishnan.

Character development across four seasons

A protagonist who defied stereotypes came to life through Ramakrishnan’s portrayal of Devi Vishwakumar. The character stands out on TV by being “brazen, insecure, arrogant, loyal, empathetic, and self-centered” all at once. Viewers watched Devi’s emotional experience with grief after losing her father. The first season showed raw grief, the second explored these emotions deeper, and the third captured her unexpected steps toward healing—something that scared her character. The show became known for Devi’s questionable choices, though Ramakrishnan notes: “She makes a lot of questionable choices… But that being said, she has good intentions”. Devi also struggled to balance her Indian-American identity with fitting in at school. Ramakrishnan loved how the writers crafted Devi’s story with grief in “such a beautiful way”. The complete four-season arc led to what Ramakrishnan called a fulfilling ending that left her “overwhelmed with gratitude”.

Critical acclaim and audience reception

Revolutionary representation emerged from “Never Have I Ever.” Critics praised its blend of comedy with serious themes like grief and family relationships. The Guardian noted that the series “takes its time” but “eventually finds its emotional footing in telling the story of a nerdy Indian American girl”. Critics highlighted Ramakrishnan’s performance, particularly in emotional scenes where she “shines” despite being new to acting. Her final episode performance “moved [critics] to tears”. Vanity Fair called it “Kaling’s best show yet,” praising its “dedication to its characters’ complexity and standout lead performances”. The series redefined what it means to be “just a normal teenager”. Critics loved how the show presented an Indian-American teenager’s life “without attempting to generalize her experiences”. This made Devi relatable rather than a symbol for all South Asian girls in America.

Expanding Her Acting Portfolio

Voice role in Pixar’s ‘Turning Red’

A deadpan character launched Maitreyi Ramakrishnan into animation. She brought Priya Mangal to life in Pixar’s critically acclaimed film “Turning Red” – a mellow Indian-Canadian girl who befriends the main character. The film hit Disney+ and select theaters on March 11, 2022. This breakthrough role made history as “the first time we’ve seen an Indian Canadian main character in a Disney Pixar movie”. Domee Shi, known for her award-winning short “Bao,” directed this animated fantasy comedy-drama that critics loved. The role pushed Ramakrishnan in new ways: “Of course, ‘Never Have I Ever’, which is live-action, to animation was very different”. She faced the challenge of balancing Priya’s unique personality: “It was hard to have emotion but be deadpan”.

My Little Pony franchise voice work

Childhood dreams fulfilled when Ramakrishnan joined the iconic My Little Pony franchise. She breathed life into Zipp Storm (Princess Zephyrina Storm) throughout the fifth generation of this beloved series. The role held special meaning for her: “My Little Pony was just something that I’ve always had in my life”. Her character broke new ground as “super brilliant… very smart and intelligent” with a unique look compared to previous ponies. She also stepped into the recording booth for the first time to contribute songs to the franchise: “It was my first time at a recording studio for singing. It was just cool”. “My Little Pony: Make Your Mark” landed on Netflix in September 2022, with its special debut hitting the “Top 10” in Children’s programming. The show ran for six “chapters” through November 2023.

Upcoming projects in 2025

Her portfolio grows as she moves between animation and live-action roles. She made her live-action film debut in March 2025 with a supporting role in “Slanted,” a comedy-drama that premiered at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival. Disney’s “Freakier Friday” comes next – a sequel to the 2003 hit “Freaky Friday” with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, hitting theaters August 8, 2025. The Netflix romantic comedy “The Netherfield Girls” stands out as her biggest role yet. This modern take on Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” features Ramakrishnan as Elizabeth “Lizzie” Bennet, the story’s beloved heroine. These projects showcase her range as she tackles different genres, formats, and productions.

Personal Life and Public Image

Relationship with her Indian heritage

Tamil identity takes center stage in Maitreyi Ramakrishnan’s personal life. She stands out from other actresses who might downplay their cultural background. Her pride as a Tamil Canadian shapes her identity. Her role in “Never Have I Ever” has without doubt deepened this connection. She reflects: “I wonder if I would have paid as much attention to my Tamil identity had I not been in Never Have I Ever”. She shared a meaningful moment with Tamil actress Jyotika during her visit to India. She described Jyotika as “iconic” and someone who “shaped my childhood”.

Fashion choices and red carpet moments

Ethnic elegance meets modern glamor defines Ramakrishnan’s fashion sense. She turned heads at the 2024 Gold Gala wearing an aqua-toned Anita Dongre lehenga worth Rs 2,84,000. The outfit showcased gota patti hand embroidery with sequin, dori, and zardozi details. She made her Oscars debut in a striking black and white Zuhair Murad gown. The dress featured a scooped neckline, thigh-high slit, and dramatic bow. The 22nd Annual Asian American Awards saw her co-hosting in an electric blue Maria Lucia Hohan creation. The corseted dress sparkled in lustrous pleated silk. Her style remains meaningful yet understated. At the Gold Gala, she paired her outfit with matching bangles, jhumka earrings, neutral makeup, burgundy lipstick, and a tiny bindi.

Social media presence and fan engagement

Authentic connection defines how Ramakrishnan interacts with her 4.1 million Instagram followers. “I like to do a good old Instagram Live, because you can see: what are people saying? What photos are they tagging you in?” she reveals. Social media gives her control over her narrative: “You can invite people into the aspects that you want them to be in versus just ‘hey everyone, just come on in'”. She sets clear boundaries with fans and once asked people not to photograph her while eating. She takes a healthy approach to online critics: “I don’t need the approval of racists, sexists and bigots online…I’m totally okay without the approval of the homophobes”.

Views on relationships and identity

Personality over labels captures Ramakrishnan’s take on relationships. She embraces her single status with confidence. “The other day, I said to Mindy [Kaling], ‘I think I’m just more of a badass when I’m single'”. Connection matters more than gender in attraction for her: “If you get that banter with me, you can read my face perfectly, I don’t care if you’re a boy, girl, or in between. You are my person, and you are just the package that that person comes in”. Her wisdom about dating shows maturity beyond her years. She observes, “Most of us get into relationships when we really shouldn’t be because we don’t even like ourselves. We expect other people to like us and expect our relationship to be great”.

Also Read: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan in 2025, a year of bold roles and global reach.

Key Achievements of Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

Breakout Role in Never Have I Ever (2020)

Maitreyi landed the lead role of Devi Vishwakumar in the popular Netflix series, chosen out of over 15,000 applicants despite having no prior acting experience. This role brought her global recognition and made her a rising star in Hollywood.

Canadian Screen Awards Nomination (2021)

She was nominated for the Audience Choice Award at the Canadian Screen Awards, showcasing her growing popularity and impact in the entertainment industry.

Independent Spirit Award Nomination (2022)

Maitreyi earned a nomination for Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series for her role in Never Have I Ever, further establishing her as a talented young actor.

Global Influence and Representation

Maitreyi became a leading figure in promoting South Asian representation in Hollywood, using her platform to advocate for inclusivity, mental health awareness, and cultural pride, resonating with audiences around the world.

Recognition in India (2022)

Never Have I Ever became a hit on Netflix India, and Maitreyi gained significant recognition from Indian media and Bollywood influencers, further highlighting her cross-cultural appeal.

Impact on the Industry

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan has had a significant impact on the entertainment industry, particularly in terms of representation and diversity. As the lead in Never Have I Ever, she became one of the few young South Asian actors to headline a major Hollywood series, breaking long-standing stereotypes about how South Asian characters are portrayed. By bringing complexity, humor, and vulnerability to the role of Devi Vishwakumar, she helped redefine how South Asian characters can be seen moving beyond traditional, one-dimensional depictions to more authentic, relatable narratives.

Maitreyi’s success has also opened doors for greater conversations about inclusivity in Hollywood. She has used her platform to advocate for representation not only in front of the camera but also behind the scenes. Her presence as a Tamil-Canadian actor is especially meaningful for underrepresented groups, showing that diverse stories and actors can resonate with a global audience. As a young woman of color breaking into a predominantly white industry, her achievements have inspired a new generation of actors from marginalized communities to pursue their creative ambitions without fear of being typecast.

Giving Back

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is committed to giving back and using her platform for positive social impact. She has been a vocal advocate for various causes, including mental health awareness, gender equality, and diversity in entertainment. Maitreyi often speaks out about the importance of mental health, particularly for young people, and uses her personal experiences to highlight the challenges faced by her generation, including the pressures of representation and identity.

In addition to advocacy, Maitreyi actively supports charities and organizations that promote inclusivity and empowerment. She has partnered with UNICEF Canada as an ambassador, focusing on raising awareness around issues that affect youth, including education, equality, and mental health. Through her public appearances, interviews, and social media presence, Maitreyi continues to inspire and uplift others, especially young women and underrepresented groups, encouraging them to embrace their identities and advocate for change.

Key Takeaways

Breaking Barriers

Maitreyi’s breakout role in Never Have I Ever highlights the importance of diverse representation in Hollywood, showcasing the complexity of South Asian characters.

Cultural Pride

She consistently emphasizes her Tamil heritage, using her platform to celebrate her identity and connect with audiences worldwide.

Advocacy for Mental Health

Maitreyi is a strong advocate for mental health awareness, particularly among youth, using her influence to raise awareness and destigmatize the issue.

Inspiration for the Next Generation

As a young woman of color in a leading role, Maitreyi inspires a new generation of creatives to pursue their dreams while breaking stereotypes and embracing their individuality.

Global Indian Impact Analysis

Read a similar story of Dev Patel, a successful British-Indian actor.

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