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 Ramona Young, who plays Eleanor Wong, on relating to her character, the importance of diversity, and passion projects.
**How was your high school experience compared to Eleanor’s?**
For me, Eleanor is really confident and extroverted. In high school I was very less comfortable in my own skin.
**What does it mean to work on a show where people of color are behind and in front of the camera?**
I felt a sense of relief. Like, finally! It was so exciting and so fun, I felt like I was a part of everything.
**Do you have any passion projects?**
Recently, I wrote my first feature film. It’s called _Roja Rises._ I really want to get it produced and made.
**What have your own coming of stories taught you?**
For me, coming of age is acknowledging that the process is not so much from going Point A to Point B, but rather infinite steps of continuations and transformations, and just accepting that and not expecting black and white—just enjoying the process of life.
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Photographed by Ian Morrison | [@imorrison](https://www.instagram.com/imorrison/?hl=en)
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