Avantika Vandanapu of Big Girls Don’t Cry Fame Named South Asian Person of The Year by Harvard University

Indian American actress Avantika Vandanapu is on a roll! She was named South Asian Person of the Year by Harvard University on Wednesday. The bubbly actress said that her “journey has just begun.”

Avantika acknowledged that being honoured with the prestigious title was truly “humbling and motivating.” “This award not only acknowledges my efforts but also underscores the significance of narratives transcending borders and the crucial role of Indian representation in global media”, she said. The actress has been recognized for her significant impact on Indian and international entertainment industries.

Avantika recently created waves for the portrayal of the character Leah Joseph, a student and a basketball champion in the young adult web series ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry. Her natural acting skills and her charming persona instantly gained recognition among the masses. Her effortless portrayal of various emotions attracted a lot of praise and appreciation from online viewers.

The young actress has come a long way! From playing a child artist in Mahesh Babu’s Brahmotsavam, Naga Chaitanya’s Premam, and Pawan Kalyan’s Agnyaathavaas to portraying Karen Smith in Mean Girls, it has been an amazing transformation for the young gal. She was born into a Telugu family in San Francisco, California. Her family hails from Hyderabad.

She’s one of the key characters in the new adaptation of Mean Girls. Avantika has worked in several International projects in America such as ‘Spin’, ‘Senior Years’ and many more. The actress added: “It propels me to delve into stories that challenge stereotypes, embrace diversity, and forge deep connections with people. My journey is just beginning, and this recognition ignites my determination to continue contributing positively through my work.”

“I am eager for the future and aspire to pave the way for more Indian voices to resonate and thrive on the global platform."

That being said, she recently became a victim of racist trolling. The news of Avantika portraying Princess Rapunzel in a live-action remake of Disney's 'Tangled' received flak from online audiences. Many didn’t like the idea that a girl of Asian origin would play a blonde white Rapunzel. Trollers have bombarded her social media account with mean comments. The news of her casting arose from a social media post which has now been deleted.

What makes the whole situation ironic is that there’s no official confirmation of a live adaptation of Tangled and Avantika hasn’t even been cast as Rapunzel.