Iman Vellani
NeFi I---
NeFi I--- Seelie
NeFi I--- Seelie
Vellani: "Ms. Marvel isn't the end, it's just the start. I really hope that it inspires more Muslim and South Asian creatives to tell their stories."
Vellani: "We want stories from different genders and different countries and different people. I think that's really important because then people are going to understand each other. Even if they can't relate to it, you can learn from it."
Vellani: "I hope audiences find comfort in Kamala because I definitely did when I read those comics the first time."
Vellani: "Just the fact that people at Marvel know my name and now people like Kumail, Simu and Brie truly just want to protect me and take care of me and guide me throughout this very daunting process, it means the world."
Vellani: "Beyond representation on screen, seeing ethnic names in the credits matters so much."
Vellani: "I didn’t know what I wanted to do in high school; I just wanted to try everything behind the camera, because I was really in love with the tech stuff, so seeing these people thriving working at Marvel was so inspiring."
Vellani: "For some people, money and owning businesses is power. For me, it’s Marvel secrets."
Vellani: "Names are so important and, I can say this for myself, as soon as I come to terms with how cool my name is and how rare it is for people to have a name like mine, it’s a big step to take in self-acceptance."
Vellani: "I only auditioned because I love Ms. Marvel and I love Marvel comics. I was shooting my shot, and here we are!"
Vellani: "I personally felt very disconnected from my culture growing up. Not to say my parents didn’t try — I fully grew up watching Bollywood movies, listening to the songs."
Vellani: "I think I’ve kept my real self quite private. I am still processing the fact that the show is even out and that people know my name."