Inspired by Mindy Kaling’s childhood depicting the complicated life of first-generation Indian American teenager, Devi Vishwakumar, the new coming-of-age comedy, _Never Have I Ever,_ shows Devi trying to balance the dualities of her identity. An overachieving high school sophomore, she learns what happens when she flies too close to the sun and picks popularity and boys over her friends and culture. Flaunt caught up with Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, who plays Devi, on her character, mentorship and working with Mindy Kaling, and advice for girls of color who wish to pursue their aspirations.
**What have you learned from your character?**
I feel like for Devi, I didn’t learn anything from her specifically because I could already relate to her. A lot of things she did when she was fifteen I did when I was fifteen. I am in a nice sweet spot where I can go back into my life and remember cringey or embarrassing moments I had. But It was nice to remember that this is what high school kids go through. It is not just Devi or the main characters of the TV. In a way we are all main characters in a TV show because we go through your own unique journeys.
**How was working with Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher? Did they provide mentorship?**
It was really a gift from them to us. They created such a great environment. Both Mindy and Lang are both true comedic geniuses. They always had backup lines of jokes always ready to go. It’s like how do you come up with this? I know Lang would really help with more of the more serious scenes and be upset and cry. They really helped me get to those spaces.
**Why do you think coming of age is such a big commodity now?**
Stories like these are on the rise because high school experience is so different to how it was before. Imagine _The Breakfast Club_ if they had phones. They probably wouldn’t talk to each other—they would just text while the principal is talking to them. Now it is a totally new world for coming of age and new things to play with.
**What advice do you have for young girls of color that want to pursue their aspirations and be ambitious in a world that is telling them to not to be?**
There is no better time to be you. As time goes on, why not me? Before Mindy Kaling’s book was called _Why Not Me_ I was literally saying that to myself. And I think that just goes for everybody. Why not you, you have something you can bring into the world.
* * *
[@gentlemonster](https://www.instagram.com/gentlemonster/?hl=en) glasses.
Photographed by Ian Morrison | [@imorrison](https://www.instagram.com/imorrison/?hl=en)
.jpg)
