Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Height, Age, Net Worth, Movies & Biography (2026)

Who Is Maitreyi Ramakrishnan?

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is a Canadian-Tamil actress who gained worldwide recognition for her breakout performance as Devi Vishwakumar in the Netflix coming-of-age comedy-drama Never Have I Ever (2020–2023). Created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, the show ran for four seasons and became one of Netflix’s most-watched teen series globally.

What makes her story extraordinary is how she entered the industry. With zero professional acting credits, she submitted a self-recorded audition tape filmed on her mother’s camera and was chosen from over 15,000 applicants worldwide. She was 17 years old at the time, still attending Meadowvale Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario.

Since her debut, Maitreyi has expanded into voice acting with Pixar’s Turning Red (2022) and has multiple high-profile 2025 projects, including Freakier Friday alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, Ma 2 opposite Octavia Spencer, and Slanted which premiered at SXSW in March 2025. She is a prominent advocate for South Asian representation in the entertainment industry.

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Biography Overview

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Age and Date of Birth

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan was born on December 28, 2001, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, making her 24 years old as of 2026. Mississauga is the sixth-largest city in Canada, located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) within the Regional Municipality of Peel. With a population exceeding 700,000, Mississauga is one of Canada’s most culturally diverse cities, with significant South Asian, East Asian, and Caribbean communities.

Her Capricorn zodiac sign aligns with the qualities she has demonstrated throughout her young career — ambition, discipline, and determination. She grew up immersed in both Canadian multiculturalism and her family’s Tamil heritage, consistently identifying herself as Tamil-Canadian rather than Sri Lankan-Canadian, emphasizing cultural and linguistic identity over national origin — an important distinction within the global Tamil diaspora.

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Early Life and Education

Maitreyi grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, in a household deeply rooted in Tamil culture. Her parents, Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who fled the Sri Lankan Civil War (1983–2009), instilled in her the values of resilience, cultural identity, and education. The Sri Lankan Civil War, fought between the Sinhalese-dominated government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), displaced hundreds of thousands of Tamil civilians, many of whom resettled in Canada, home to the world’s largest Tamil diaspora outside South Asia.

She attended Meadowvale Secondary School in Mississauga, where she developed her passion for performing arts through school theatre productions. She was actively involved in drama activities, building foundational skills in acting, improvisation, and stage presence.

After graduating, she was accepted into the Theatre Program at York University in Toronto. Founded in 1959, York University is the third-largest university in Canada with one of the country’s most respected performing arts programs. Maitreyi deferred her enrollment when cast as the lead in Never Have I Ever, turning a high school student from the GTA into an international Netflix star.

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Family Background

Maitreyi has spoken extensively about how her family’s immigrant experience shaped her perspective on identity and belonging. Growing up in a Tamil household while navigating Canadian culture gave her the dual-identity understanding that her character Devi Vishwakumar embodies. She uses her platform to raise awareness about the Tamil diaspora, refugee experiences, and diverse storytelling in mainstream media.

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Height, Weight, and Physical Stats

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan height of 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) places her slightly above the average height for women in Canada (approximately 5’3.4″ / 161.3 cm per Statistics Canada) and the United States (approximately 5’3.8″ / 161.8 cm per the CDC’s National Health Statistics). Among her Never Have I Ever co-stars, she stands taller than Ramona Young (Eleanor Wong) and at approximately the same height as Lee Rodriguez (Fabiola Torres).

Her physical presence on screen is noted for its natural authenticity. The styling in Never Have I Ever was deliberately kept relatable, reflecting the everyday appearance of a real South Asian teenager rather than an idealized Hollywood version — a creative choice by Mindy Kaling and the show’s team.

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Career Journey

The Audition That Changed Everything (2019)

In April 2019, Mindy Kaling — actress, writer, and producer known for The Mindy Project, The Office, and Ocean’s 8 — posted an open casting call on Instagram and Twitter for her upcoming Netflix series. The call sought a South Asian actress between 15 and 22 to play Devi Vishwakumar, a first-generation Indian-American high schooler navigating grief, identity, and teenage chaos. Over 15,000 young women from across North America, Europe, and Asia submitted tapes.

Maitreyi, a 17-year-old student at Meadowvale Secondary with zero professional experience, filmed her audition on her mother’s camera. Her raw talent and authentic screen presence convinced Mindy Kaling and co-creator Lang Fisher to cast her — launching her from total anonymity to Netflix stardom overnight.

Never Have I Ever (2020–2023)

Never Have I Ever premiered on Netflix on April 27, 2020, and immediately became one of the platform’s most popular originals. Narrated by John McEnroe (and later Andy Samberg, Gigi Hadid, and Michael Cera), it followed Devi Vishwakumar from Sherman Oaks, California, as she navigated loss, romance, and cultural identity.

The ensemble cast included Poorna Jagannathan (Nalini Vishwakumar), Richa Moorjani (Kamala), Jaren Lewison (Ben Gross), Darren Barnet (Paxton Hall-Yoshida), Ramona Young (Eleanor Wong), and Lee Rodriguez (Fabiola Torres). The series earned praise for its authentic representation of South Asian-American family dynamics and teenage mental health.

Turning Red (2022)

Maitreyi expanded into voice acting with Pixar Animation Studios’ Turning Red, directed by Domee Shi — the first solo female director at Pixar. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and premiering on Disney+ on March 11, 2022, the film is set in Toronto, Ontario and explores adolescence, cultural identity, and generational conflict within an Asian-Canadian family.

Maitreyi voiced Priya Mangal, a deadpan Indian-Canadian friend of protagonist Meilin “Mei” Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang). Turning Red earned 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards.

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Movies and TV Shows

Complete Filmography

Upcoming Projects in Detail

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Relationships

As of 2026, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan has not publicly disclosed any romantic relationships. She maintains a deliberate boundary between her public professional life and her private personal life. In interviews with publications including Teen Vogue, Glamour, and Elle Canada, she has consistently redirected personal questions toward her craft, advocacy work, and upcoming projects.

Fans respect her privacy-first approach. In an era where social media often blurs the line between public and personal, Maitreyi’s decision to keep her dating life entirely private demonstrates maturity beyond her years. Her focus remains on building a lasting acting career and using her platform for meaningful advocacy rather than generating tabloid attention.

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Social Media

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is one of the most-followed young Canadian actresses on social media. She uses her platforms to engage with fans, share behind-the-scenes content, and advocate for South Asian representation and inclusivity in entertainment.

With a combined reach of over 14 million followers across platforms, Maitreyi ranks among the most influential young South Asian entertainers on social media globally. Her TikTok following of 8.2 million is particularly impressive, placing her content reach alongside established entertainment figures and significantly above most of her Never Have I Ever co-stars.

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Net Worth

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million as of 2026. At just 24 years old, this figure reflects rapid wealth accumulation from multiple income streams developed over a relatively short career.

With at least five major film and TV projects scheduled for 2025–2027 across Netflix, Walt Disney Pictures, Universal Pictures, and Sony Pictures Animation, her net worth is on a significant upward trajectory. Industry analysts expect her earnings to accelerate as she transitions from television breakout star to established film actress.

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Awards and Achievements

Being named to the TIME 100 Next list at just 19 years old placed Maitreyi alongside globally influential emerging leaders. The TIME 100 franchise, published by TIME Magazine since 1999, is one of the most recognized annual honors in the world. Previous South Asian entertainers recognized by TIME include Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Mindy Kaling, Kumail Nanjiani, and Aziz Ansari.

Her work with UN Women on gender equality campaigns extends her influence beyond entertainment into international social advocacy. This dimension of her career positions her as more than an actress — she is becoming a cultural voice for her generation.

Lesser Known Facts About Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan has established herself as one of the most exciting young talents in the global entertainment industry. Standing at 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm), she has a presence that extends far beyond physical stature. From a self-taped audition in a Mississauga home to headlining a Netflix hit watched by millions worldwide, her journey from high school student to international actress is a defining story of this generation.

With four seasons of Never Have I Ever, a Pixar voice role in Turning Red, and at least five major projects in production for 2025–2027 across Disney, Universal, Netflix, and Sony, Maitreyi’s career trajectory points toward lasting stardom. Her advocacy for Tamil-Canadian identity, South Asian representation, and gender equality through UN Women ensures that her influence extends beyond entertainment into meaningful cultural impact.

At 24 years old, with an estimated net worth of $1–$5 million, over 14 million social media followers, and recognition from TIME Magazine, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is building a career and legacy that will define the next era of diverse, authentic storytelling in Hollywood and beyond.