Los Angeles, US

Indian-American actress Avantika Vandanapu, who is best known for playing Karen Shetty in the musical comedy Mean Girls (2024), has been honoured with the “South Asian Person of the Year” award and title by Harvard University.

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The 19-year-old actress was recognised for her outstanding achievements and contributions to the arts and society. As one of the key leads in the new adaptation of Mean Girls, Avantika proved her acting prowess. She also recently made her OTT debut with the Indian series Big Girls Don’t Cry.

Upon receiving the award, Avantika said, "Receiving this honour from an institution as esteemed as Harvard University is incredibly humbling and beyond inspiring. This award is not just a recognition of my work, but it shines a light on the importance of storytelling that crosses borders and the vital role of Indian representation in global media."

She added, "I'm deeply grateful for the support and love I've received from audiences, both in India and internationally. It motivates me to explore and portray stories that challenge stereotypes, celebrate diversity, and connect with people on a profound level."

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"My journey has just begun, and this accolade fuels my passion to continue making a positive impact through my craft. I am excited about the future, and I hope to pave the way for more voices from India to be heard and celebrated on the world stage," concluded Avantika.

The actress was born to an Indian, Telugu-speaking family who lived in California. Her family originally hails from Hyderabad. For her drama lessons, she went to the American Conservatory Theater.

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In 2014, Avantika won second place in Dance India Dance L'il Masters (North America Edition). The subsequent year she entered the Telugu film industry. She officially debuted as a child artist in Brahmotsavam, starring Mahesh Babu, Kajal Aggarwal, Samantha and Pranitha Subhash.

In 2021, Avantika played the lead role of Rhea Kumar in Disney's Spin, which also featured Meera Syal, Abhay Deol and Aryan Simhadri.