Discover Maitreyi Ramakrishnan height, age, career journey, and movies. Learn about the Tamil-Canadian actress behind Netflix’s Never Have I Ever, her Instagram presence, parents, ethnicity, net worth, and relationship status.”
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan: The Rise of a Canadian-Tamil Sensation in Entertainment
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan has become one of Hollywood’s most promising young talents, capturing hearts worldwide with her authentic performances and genuine representation of South Asian culture. From her remarkable journey of beating 15,000 audition candidates to becoming a Netflix sensation, her story is nothing short of inspirational. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the accomplished actress.
Quick Facts About Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maitreyi Ramakrishnan |
| Date of Birth | December 28, 2001 |
| Age | 24 years old (as of 2025) |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) |
| Weight | 50 kg |
| Figure Size | 34-26-35 (Breast-Waist-Hips) |
| Ethnicity | Sri Lankan Tamil |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Birthplace | Mississauga, Ontario, Canada |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Profession | Actress, Voice Actor |
| Net Worth | $500,000 – $1-5 Million USD |
| Education | Meadowvale Secondary School, York University (Human Rights & Equity Studies) |
| Instagram Followers | 1.6+ Million |
| Known For | Never Have I Ever, Turning Red, Freakier Friday |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Parents | Ram Selvarajah & Kiruthiha Kulendiren |
| Brother | Vishwaa Ramakrishnan |
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Height
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan stands at approximately 5 feet 6 inches (167 centimeters) tall. This height has complemented her on-screen presence remarkably well, allowing her to bring dimension to the dynamic characters she portrays. Her stature, combined with her expressive facial features and natural acting abilities, has made her stand out in competitive casting scenarios. Whether appearing in television series or supporting film roles, her physical presence contributes to her overall screen charisma and audience appeal.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Age
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan was born on 28 December 2001 in Mississauga, Ontario, where she was raised. Currently 24 years old, she achieved remarkable success at an exceptionally young age. She began her professional acting career at just 17 years old when she landed the lead role in “Never Have I Ever,” marking her breakthrough performance. Despite her youth, she has already accumulated significant experience in the entertainment industry, earning critical acclaim and numerous award nominations that typically take actors decades to achieve.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Career Journey and Early Life
Maitreyi’s path to stardom began unexpectedly during her final year of high school. In 2019, while scrolling through social media, she discovered an open casting call for Netflix’s upcoming series “Never Have I Ever,” created by renowned producer Mindy Kaling. What followed was an extraordinary journey that would transform her life forever.
She was chosen by Mindy Kaling out of 15,000 candidates who had applied for an open casting call for the show. Working with minimal resources, Maitreyi recorded her audition tape using her mother’s camera at a local library. Her authentic performance and genuine talent impressed the casting directors enough to request four additional videos, ultimately leading to a screen test in Los Angeles and her eventual selection for the coveted role.
In April 2020, Never Have I Ever premiered on Netflix. Ramakrishnan’s character, Devi Vishwakumar, an Indian-American Tamil high school student, is loosely based on Mindy Kaling. The series became an immediate phenomenon, attracting 40 million households globally in its first month alone. Her portrayal earned widespread critical acclaim, with industry publications calling her performance a “breakout” moment.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Parents and Family Background
She was born to Sri Lankan Tamil parents who immigrated to Canada as refugees due to the country’s civil war. Her father, Ram Selvarajah, is an accomplished IT professional, while her mother, Kiruthiha Kulendiren, works in the marketing sector. Both parents instilled strong values of perseverance and cultural pride in their daughter.
The family’s journey from Sri Lanka to Canada speaks to the resilience and determination that Maitreyi carries within herself. Her parents’ sacrifice and dedication to building a better life for their family directly influenced her work ethic and commitment to excellence in her acting career. She also has a brother, Vishwaa Ramakrishnan, with whom she shares a close bond.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Ethnicity
She identifies herself as Tamil Canadian. Her Tamil heritage is deeply important to her identity and artistic choices. Rather than downplaying her cultural background like many entertainment industry peers, Maitreyi proudly represents her South Asian roots both on and off-screen. Her roles, particularly in “Never Have I Ever,” have allowed her to celebrate and showcase Tamil culture authentically to global audiences.
She has spoken eloquently about how her role in “Never Have I Ever” deepened her connection to her Tamil identity, stating that she wonders if she would have paid as much attention to her heritage without the show. Her representation in Hollywood has made her an important role model for young South Asian individuals seeking authentic portrayals in mainstream entertainment.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Never Have I Ever
The program ran for four seasons until June 2023. The series and Ramakrishnan’s performance received generally positive reviews, with Variety calling it a “breakout performance”. The Netflix teen comedy-drama followed the life of Devi Vishwakumar, a high school student navigating family relationships, romantic interests, and personal growth while honoring her Indian-American Tamil heritage.
She received nominations for an Independent Spirit Award, a Canadian Screen Award, an MTV Movie & TV Award, and two People’s Choice Awards. The series’ success spawned international recognition, making Maitreyi a household name among streaming audiences. Her chemistry with co-stars and nuanced portrayal of a complex teenage character showcased her natural acting talents.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Movies and Filmography
Beyond her career-defining television work, Maitreyi has successfully transitioned into film acting with both voice and live-action roles.
Turning Red (2022)
Ramakrishnan voiced Priya Mangal, an Indian-Canadian mellow, deadpan girl who is one of the protagonist’s friends, in the Pixar animated fantasy comedy film Turning Red. The film was released on 11 March 2022 to Disney+ and limited theaters. Her voice work in this acclaimed Pixar production demonstrated her versatility as a performer and introduced her talents to younger audiences worldwide.
Slanted (2025)
Ramakrishnan made her live-action film debut with a supporting role in the comedy drama Slanted, which premiered on 8 March 2025, at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival. Critics praised her performance, with indiewire describing it as a “scene-stealing turn.” This marked an important milestone in her career as she transitioned from television and voice acting to theatrical film performances.
Freakier Friday (2025)
In June 2024, Julia Butters, Manny Jacinto, Sophia Hammons, and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan joined the cast, with Mark Harmon, Chad Michael Murray, Christina Vidal, Haley Hudson, Lucille Soong, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Rosalind Chao reprising their roles from the original film. In this eagerly anticipated Disney sequel, she plays Ella, a budding pop star who works with Lindsay Lohan’s character. The film brought together multiple generations of audiences and showcased Maitreyi’s ability to complement established stars while bringing her own energy to the production.
Additional Voice and Upcoming Projects
Ramakrishnan voiced Zipp Storm throughout the content slate for the fifth incarnation of the My Little Pony franchise. The first project, the 2D animated short-form web series, My Little Pony: Tell Your Tale, premiered via YouTube in early April. She also lent her voice talents to “The Twits” animated adaptation and “The Angry Birds Movie 3.”
Looking forward, Maitreyi has exciting projects in development, including “Best of the Best,” a Netflix dance comedy she will co-lead, and “The Netherfield Girls,” a contemporary adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.”
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Instagram and Social Media Presence
With over 1.6 million Instagram followers, Maitreyi has built a substantial social media presence where she connects authentically with her global fanbase. Her Instagram account showcases her personal style, cultural celebrations, and behind-the-scenes glimpses from film and television productions. She balances promotional content with genuine personal moments, allowing followers to feel connected to her life beyond her professional work.
Her social media presence reflects her values of representation and cultural pride. She frequently celebrates Tamil culture, shares insights about her career journey, and engages meaningfully with her diverse audience across different platforms.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Net Worth
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan net worth is estimated to be $500,000 or Rs. 12 Crore. Some sources suggest her net worth may have grown to between $1-5 million USD by 2025, considering her multiple film roles and Netflix series success. Her earnings stem from various sources including her leading role in “Never Have I Ever,” voice acting work, film appearances, and brand partnerships with companies like Lancôme and American Eagle.
When “Never Have I Ever” premiered, she earned approximately $21,000 per episode. Her compensation increased to $26,250 per episode for season two, along with substantial bonuses. With the series running 20 episodes across multiple seasons, she accumulated significant earnings early in her career. These figures, combined with her recent film roles and upcoming projects, have contributed to her growing financial success.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Boyfriend and Relationship Status
Currently, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is not in a relationship and has not disclosed any information about her dating life. At 24 years old, she has prioritized her career development over public romantic relationships. She maintains privacy regarding her personal life, focusing public attention on her professional achievements and creative work.
Her decision to keep her relationship status private demonstrates her maturity and understanding of healthy boundaries between public and private life, a quality increasingly rare among young celebrities.
Awards and Recognition
Maitreyi’s talent has earned her significant industry recognition despite her young career. In February 2021, Ramakrishnan was named as Breakout Actor in Time’s Time100 Next list of the next hundred influential people. This prestigious honor recognized her impact on television and her importance as a rising voice in entertainment.
Beyond this accolade, she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination, Canadian Screen Award recognition, MTV Movie & TV Award nominations, and multiple People’s Choice Award nominations for her work in “Never Have I Ever.” These nominations reflect the quality of her performances and the appreciation audiences and critics have for her work.
Education and Personal Interests
She went to Lisgar Middle School for elementary and graduated from Meadowvale Secondary School. Ramakrishnan decided to pursue an acting career in her last year at Meadowvale, and got the role in the Netflix teen comedy-drama series Never Have I Ever less than a year later.
Initially accepting a place at York University’s theatre program, she deferred her acceptance to the theatre program at York University in Toronto, which she had initially planned to attend the fall after she graduated high school, so she could shoot the series in Los Angeles. In 2021, she deferred her acceptance a second time, while also switching her degree to human rights and equity studies. She ultimately graduated from York University in autumn 2025, balancing her successful acting career with her educational goals.
Beyond acting, Maitreyi is an accomplished dancer, trained in both Bharatanatyam and Kathak—traditional Indian classical dance forms. She is also an avid video game enthusiast and passionate reader of Marvel and Disney comics. Her devotion to Lord Ganesha reflects her spiritual side, grounding her amid the demands of Hollywood success.
Brand Partnerships and Advocacy
Maitreyi has become an attractive brand ambassador for major corporations seeking authentic representation. In March 2022, she was announced as part of American Eagle’s “Member’s Always: Future Together” campaign alongside other young influencers. In April 2024, she became Lancôme’s brand ambassador in Canada, continuing to expand her professional portfolio beyond acting.
Her advocacy extends beyond commercial partnerships. She has participated in charitable initiatives, including the 2020 “Acting for a Cause” live-read series, where she performed in a Shakespeare adaptation to raise funds for Chicago hospitals struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Impact of Representation
What sets Maitreyi Ramakrishnan apart in a competitive entertainment industry is her commitment to authentic representation. She actively promotes South Asian visibility in mainstream Hollywood without compromising her cultural identity. Her presence in major streaming productions and theatrical films signals a shift toward more diverse casting and storytelling in entertainment.
For young South Asian individuals, particularly Tamil Canadians, Maitreyi represents possibility. She demonstrates that success doesn’t require erasing one’s heritage or conforming to narrow industry standards. Instead, her authenticity has become her greatest asset, resonating with audiences worldwide.
Looking Forward
At just 24 years old, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan’s career is far from its peak. With theatrical film releases, streaming projects in development, voice acting opportunities, and continued brand partnerships, she has established herself as a multi-talented performer capable of handling diverse roles across different media.
Her journey from a high school student auditioning in a library with her mother’s camera to a globally recognized actress represents the power of talent, perseverance, and authentic self-representation. As she continues to grow her career, audiences can expect increasingly complex roles that showcase her range as a performer.
Conclusion
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan’s remarkable journey in entertainment has inspired countless individuals around the world. From her breakthrough role as Devi Vishwakumar to her recent theatrical film appearances, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional talent and genuine commitment to her craft. Her height, age, movies, and career trajectory all point to an actress destined for lasting success in Hollywood. By maintaining her cultural pride, setting healthy boundaries, and choosing roles with integrity, Maitreyi has become more than just an actress—she’s a cultural ambassador reshaping entertainment for the better.
