'Never Have I Ever' is over, but Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is just getting started
Jun 27, 2023
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Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, known for her role in 'Never Have I Ever,' talks about cosplay, dealing with haters, and her dreams for diverse representation in Hollywood. She shares insights on her wildest dream role, ways to handle criticism, and the importance of paving the way for nerdy brown girls in the industry.
Importance of diverse lead characters in media for representation and breaking stereotypes.
Need to maintain self-awareness and resilience in the face of critics and haters.
Deep dives
Representation in Media
The podcast episode highlights the importance of representation in media through the discussion with the guest, who is known for her role in a popular teen dramedy show. The guest emphasizes the significance of having diverse lead characters, mentioning her experience of not seeing characters that looked like her while growing up. The conversation delves into the impact of being the lead in a teen show as a Sri Lankan Canadian, breaking away from the stereotypical roles offered to people of color. The guest expresses her desire to play diverse roles across genres to pave the way for more representation and opportunities for other individuals like her.
Dealing with Haters and Misconceptions
The podcast episode explores the guest's approach to dealing with critics and haters, emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself. The guest acknowledges the challenges posed by negative comments but stresses the need to maintain self-awareness and resilience. The conversation delves into the guest's experiences with online criticism and the impact it can have on one's self-perception. The guest highlights the significance of receiving support from loved ones and remaining confident in the face of adversity.
Breaking Boundaries and Challenging Stereotypes
The podcast episode addresses the guest's aspirations to challenge stereotypes and push boundaries in the entertainment industry. The guest discusses her dreams of playing a variety of roles across different genres, including thrillers, fantasies, and action films. The conversation reflects on the guest's determination to excel in diverse roles to showcase the talent and versatility of brown actors. The guest emphasizes the importance of not conforming to limiting beliefs and striving to create space for greater representation in the industry.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan has big dreams. The 21-year-old gained full celebrity status with her breakout role as Devi Vishwakumar in the Mindy Kaling-produced hit Never Have I Ever. The final season just dropped on Netflix so we're revisiting our 2022 conversation with the star where host Brittany Luse gets Ramakrishnan dishing on everything from cosplay to car chases. They also talk about Ramakrishnan's wildest dream role, how to deal with haters and why she hopes this is just the beginning – for her, and for other nerdy brown girls who want to make it in Hollywood.