Subverting the ‘Model Minority’ Stereotype? A look into Never Have I Ever

• Shahryar Nagi
• Nov 29, 2024
• 2 min read

The portrayal of adolescent Asian descent minorities in shows or movies produced in the West are rife with characteristics of the ‘model minority.’ This stereotype frames them as universally successful, particularly in academics, portraying them as disciplined, hardworking, and non-confrontational. On a base level, the show ‘Never Have I Ever,’ with its protagonist Devi, does succeed in subverting this stereotype as it portrays her as a complicated person who is far from the perfect and studious teenager that the stereotype entails. While academically excelling, she is shown as impulsive, at times selfish and prone to making bad decisions driven by her insecurities.

However, I feel like the ‘model minority’ stereotype has moved beyond this basic definition and evolved into a bigger plotline trope where this academic success is often shown as a burden with the character (in most cases) rebelling against tradition (usually in the form of overbearing parents who are imposing their cultural values). How this trope is usually shown to end is with the parents coming to understand the woes and perspective of their child and reconciling with them within a short span of a movie or season. This risks oversimplifying this complex relationship which isn’t as easily resolved as depicted in media. This, I feel, is the largest stereotype that ‘Never Have I Ever’ is somewhat able to break as the relationship between Devi and her mother Nalini is posed between the aforementioned premise and is shown in a more realistic and emotionally dense method. Their relationship has constant ups and downs and isn’t shown as something that’ll be fixed within a few episodes but is an evolving process of understanding each other and trying to bridge both of their distinct worldviews.