Canada's Maitreyi Ramakrishnan named one of TIME's next 100 most influential people

Feb 18 2021, 6:47 pm

Canadian actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan has been named one of TIME’s next 100 most influential people for 2021.

The Never Have I Ever star is listed as one of the TIME 100 Next phenoms, appearing alongside other emerging advocates, artists, leaders, and innovators who are shaping the future.

In a glowing piece by fellow actress Mindy Kaling, Ramakrishnan is described as a “gifted comic actress” who takes her craft seriously.

“When you’re a minority woman with your own show, you gotta represent,” Kaling writes of the Mississauga, Ontario, native.

“It’s a huge ­responsibility — and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is exactly the kind of talented young woman who is up to the task.”

Kaling co-created Never Have I Ever, which is loosely based on her own childhood.

In the Netflix comedy series, Ramakrishnan plays Devi Vishwakumar, a high school student who attempts to improve her social status after a traumatic freshmen year.

The 19-year-old took to Twitter to thank Kaling, and TIME, for the piece.

Kaling writes that Ramakrishnan has an “activist’s heart,” and wants to “use her platform to help others.”

“What’s most extraordinary about Maitreyi is that when you’re with her, you think you’re simply talking to a cool, smart teenager,” Kaling said.

“But later, when you see her work onscreen, you realize you were actually interacting with a great artist at the beginning of her journey.”

Zoe DemarcoZoe Demarco

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