Maitreyi Ramakrishnan On ‘Never Have I Ever’ Season 2 And Her Quarantine Routine

2020 has been a year unlike any other and it’s not even over yet. To pump her fans up and help people put a positive spin on the months ahead, Never Have I Ever’s Maitreyi Ramakrishnan teamed up with TAZO to launch the brand’s new Routine Reboot series.

Starting today until August 21st, Ramakrishnan will host a segment with different influencers of varying professions, lifestyles, and backgrounds each day via TAZO’s Instagram. These social media stars are ready to bring you into their world and showcase old and new norms to inspire anyone who’s watching to get out there and switch things up on their own. There will be four influencers showing inspiring and unique behind-the-scenes moments of their daily lives. Professional ballet dancer Alex Wong will kick things off with “Off the Barre,” then entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and creative director Brandon Bryant is on deck with “Entrepreneur Hours.” Up next, fitness instructor Deja Riley Izydorczyk’s “Between the Reps” takeover may inspire you to follow through with that workout and finally, LGBTQ advocates and moms Ebony and Denise Nunez are set to close the series out with a special “Two Moms, Two Routines” segment.

“2020 has been all about adaptability, and through ‘Routine Reboot,’ we’re challenging our fans to consider how they can make simple changes to better themselves — and society — and to shed the habits that aren’t providing meaningful value to their lives anymore,” Laraine Miller, Senior Director, US Tea at Unilever, said in a statement. “We’re excited to introduce TAZO’s new blends, Energize and Dream, to help fuel this exploration, and provide fans with the balanced energy they need throughout the day to enable them to explore new routines outside of the expected.”

It’s without a doubt an exciting way to cheer the globe up during these challenging times. Leave it to TAZO to come through with something fresh and out of the box. Ahead of the series’ launch, Forbes also got the chance to catch up with Ramakrishnan and she couldn’t help share more details about the partnership and what viewers should look forward to in season two of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever.

Isis Briones: Tell me, why did you decide to participate in TAZO’s “Routine Reboot” series?

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan: “I love their secret, not-so-secret ingredients like chili powder that makes really unique flavors. Plus, Tazo’s entire brand is very bold, confident, and out there, which I think fits my vibe. It was a really natural fit with me and the campaign. 

IB: What are your favorite flavors?

MR: “My go-to is definitely the Earl Grey because it’s easy to drink and it’s a good solid base, you know? You can have it with anything or even by itself, but it goes with a lot. I also really like their zen flavors. I drink a lot of the Green Tea. I’m also obsessed with the new Energize Tea, I love how the chili powder energizes you. It’s really nice and I’m impressed that they get me to like interesting flavors that I would have never thought I’d like, but I actually really do.”

IB: Never Have I Ever is amazing, can you share with us what it was like working with Mindy Kaling?

MR: “She’s the coolest and such a pleasure to work with. This might sound cheesy and all, but my favorite part about working with her is that I never felt like I didn’t belong. This is my first project and while I don’t necessarily have the experience, I never felt as if I couldn’t raise my concerns or voice my ideas. I never felt stupid for not knowing, I truly felt like I could always ask whatever question I had in my head. There was never a dumb question and I also appreciated that she loves food trucks. She’d always bring one on set to surprise the crew and the cast. Overall, there’s a lot I enjoyed when working with Mindy.”

IB: What’s the best advice she’s ever given to you?

MR: “When we wrapped the season, Mindy and [executive producer] Lang Fisher told me to stay true to myself. Hey, I made it this far being myself and not trying to imitate what I think a successful person is. I stick to what I know, who I am, and being comfortable with who I am. That’s something that I will continue to remember. Sometimes it’s a valuable lesson that we undervalue.”

IB: Was there anything new you learned about yourself?

MR: “I realized how deprived I was of representation and seeing somebody like me on screen. I knew there wasn’t many leading Southeast Asian characters, both male and female, but the thing is, I didn’t realize how normalized that reality became to me and the lack of representation really hit me.”

IB: How excited are you for season two?

MR: “I’m so excited for many things. Number one, I just want to act. I’m stoked to be back with the gang. I love my cast so much. I can’t wait to be with them and the food trucks. I’m also just as curious as the fans to know what’s going to happen. I truly don’t know what Devi has planned, I don’t know what’s going to happen with her. I’m curious to know if she gets it together and cleans up her act.”

IB: If you could choose who Devi ends up with, who would it be and why?

MR: “That’s easy, definitely with herself and understanding what it truly means to love yourself. I’m #TeamDevi. She can end up with herself and that’s a cool reality.”