Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is a Canadian actress known for her breakout role as Devi Vishwakumar in the Netflix series Never Have I Ever. Born on December 28, 2001, in Mississauga, Ontario, she rose to fame after being cast from a pool of 15,000 applicants. Her performance earned critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Ramakrishnan has since voiced characters in Pixar's Turning Red and the animated My Little Pony series, and she is expanding into live-action films with upcoming projects in 2025. As of 2026, she continues to be one of Canada's most promising young actors. [edit]

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, in a Tamil Canadian family. Her parents, Ram Selvarajah and Kiruthiha Kulendiren, immigrated to Canada as refugees from Sri Lanka. She attended Lisgar Middle School and later Meadowvale Secondary School, where she discovered her passion for acting through school plays. Her drama teacher encouraged her to pursue the craft seriously. Ramakrishnan applied to York University's theatre program and was accepted, but she deferred her enrollment after landing her first major role. Before that, she had no professional acting experience, making her selection for Never Have I Ever all the more remarkable. She submitted her audition tape from a local library, and at age 17, she was chosen by Mindy Kaling to lead the series. [edit]

Ramakrishnan's career took off with Never Have I Ever, which premiered on Netflix in 2020 and ran for four seasons until 2023. Her portrayal of Devi earned rave reviews and a Canadian Screen Award. In 2022, she voiced Priya in Pixar's Turning Red, and she also lent her voice to the My Little Pony animated series, including Make Your Mark (2022–2023) and Tell Your Tale (2022–2024). She has since moved to live-action films, with supporting roles in Slanted and Freakier Friday, both slated for 2025 releases. Her career continues to expand, with several projects in development. [edit]

Ramakrishnan is known for her down-to-earth personality and candidness about her experiences as a Tamil Canadian. She uses her platform to advocate for diversity in Hollywood and often shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of her life on social media. Her fans, who call themselves the "Devi-ots," admire her authenticity and sense of humor. She has been praised for bringing depth to her characters and for being a role model for young South Asian women. Her style is often described as eclectic and youthful, mixing bold colors with classic pieces. [edit]

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan has cultivated a devoted following that thrives on direct digital engagement rather than formalized fan clubs or structured campaigns. While her audience, often affectionately referred to as the "Devi-ots" in online communities, demonstrates immense loyalty through high-volume interactions on Instagram and TikTok, there is no officially documented fandom name recorded in authoritative databases for her personal brand. Her supporters primarily connect through shared appreciation for her authenticity and cultural advocacy, engaging with her content regarding South Asian representation and her role as a global ambassador for Fable & Mane without the coordinated rituals seen in larger pop phenomena. The collective energy of her fans centers on celebrating her professional milestones, such as her viral Oscar debut and her recent casting announcements, rather than organizing large-scale public interventions or legendary crowd events. In terms of global standing, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is currently evaluated by the iFANN Global Fame Engine but does not hold a placement in the published rankings. She remains an unranked subject within the scope of the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list as of August 2026. This status reflects her position as a rapidly rising star whose fame is driven by specific breakout roles and social media momentum rather than broad, cross-generational saturation typical of top-ranked icons. Despite the lack of a numerical rank, her influence is evident in the massive engagement metrics she garners, including millions of likes on posts documenting her career shifts from teen comedy to genre-bending superhero narratives. Her trajectory suggests a figure who is building a substantial footprint through strategic choices and genuine connection, even if she has not yet crossed the threshold into the highest tier of global celebrity measured by the engine's current parameters.[edit]

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan's name is pronounced my-TRAY-ee RAH-mə-KRISH-nən. She is an only child who has an older brother named Vishwaa. Outside of acting, she enjoys baking and frequently shares her culinary creations on social media. A self-proclaimed nerd, she has a deep love for science fiction and spends her spare time practicing yoga and meditation. She is also a vocal advocate for Tamil representation in media, often discussing her cultural heritage in interviews. A notable moment in her recent career lore involves her attendance at the Oscars, where she made a striking red carpet appearance wearing a mini skirt constructed entirely from belts. This look generated immediate buzz and became a talking point in entertainment circles. Additionally, in August 2026, she sparked widespread discussion when she jokingly declared "Devi's Dead" regarding her iconic character, while simultaneously outlining the conditions under which the role might return. These comments were widely shared and discussed by fans, blending her real-life humor with the fictional universe she helped create. Another significant milestone was her casting in The Boys Season 5 as part of the youth superhero team Teenage Kix, signaling a bold shift into genre-bending roles that expanded her repertoire beyond the teen comedy that launched her career.[edit]

Ramakrishnan's parents, Ram Selvarajah and Kiruthiha Kulendiren, immigrated to Canada as refugees from Sri Lanka. She has an older brother named Vishwaa. The family settled in Mississauga, Ontario, where she was raised. Ramakrishnan has spoken publicly about her close relationship with her parents, who supported her acting ambitions despite having no background in the arts. She often credits her mother for her strong work ethic. As of 2026, she lives in Los Angeles, though she remains close to her family back in Canada. [edit]

Ramakrishnan is associated with Mindy Kaling, who created Never Have I Ever and was instrumental in her casting. She also has a connection to Pixar, having voiced a character in Turning Red. She is part of a new generation of South Asian actors breaking into mainstream Hollywood, alongside peers like Poorna Jagannathan and Richa Moorjani, who also appeared in Never Have I Ever. [edit]

Ramakrishnan has kept her personal life private. As of 2026, she is reportedly single and has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships. She has been linked to co-stars in the past, but nothing has been substantiated. She has stated in interviews that she prefers to focus on her career and is not in a hurry to settle down. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan's net worth is estimated at $2 Million as of 2026. Her primary income streams are derived from her extensive work in television and film, anchored by her lead role in Never Have I Ever which reportedly commanded a substantial salary. Beyond live-action performances, she has generated revenue through voice work in animated projects such as Pixar's Turning Red and the My Little Pony series. Brand endorsements on social media further contribute to her financial portfolio, leveraging her verified presence on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Her wealth has grown steadily since her debut, and with upcoming film projects scheduled for 2025, including Best of the Best and a role in Elle Season 2, her earnings are expected to rise further. She has invested in real estate and is known to be financially savvy.[edit]

Ramakrishnan has won a Canadian Screen Award for her performance in Never Have I Ever. She has also been recognized by TIME magazine as one of the 100 Next honorees, and the New York Times named her one of the best actors of the year. Her work has been praised for its depth and authenticity. [edit]