Why is Mindy Kaling so controversial? The DNC 2024 co-host has cooked with Kamala Harris and once dated her The Office co-star B.J. Novak – but fans think she’s a secret conservative

Aug 21 , 2024

Actress, writer and producer Mindy Kaling is hosting the 2024 DNC – but she’s also been mired in controversy over the years. Photo: @mindykaling/Instagram

Novak and Kaling once dated, and though they broke up, he is godfather to her children Katherine ‘Kit’ Swati and Spencer Avu – and she’s never revealed the biological father of her kids

She was ‘Ozempic shamed’ after her Oscars 2023 appearance and fans think her show Velma was intentionally bad in order to make the left look bad – she also liked a post by known transphobe, J.K Rowling

Hollywood writer, producer and actress Mindy Kaling has had quite the time in the spotlight, establishing herself as a TV mainstay – and with that comes navigating “cancel culture”.

The multihyphenate is hosting the 2024 Democratic National Convention – which kicked off on August 19 and wraps up tomorrow, August 22 – alongside Primetime Emmy winner Kerry Washington, The View co-host Ana Navarro, and Law & Order star Tony Goldwyn. Kaling and presidential candidate Kamala Harris have their Indian heritage in common and once made masala dosa, a traditional South Indian dish, together at Kaling’s house in LA in 2019.

As popular as Kaling is, she has had her fair share of scandals. Here’s what we know about the various rumours and allegations.

B.J. Novak

Kaling and B.J. Novak, aka Kelly and Ryan from The Office, dated IRL but broke up in 2007. When Kaling’s children Katherine “Kit” Swati and Spencer Avu were born, she named him their godfather, per People. When she gave birth to her third child, daughter Anne, earlier this year, Novak said the little one was “adorable and the best”, per the same source.

However, Kaling has never revealed the identity of her kids’ biological father, which has led fans to believe that Novak might be more than just their godfather. To this day, fans hope that the two will rekindle their romance.

Ozempic

The Mindy Project actress fell victim to “Ozempic shaming” when fans attributed her significant weight loss to the medication after her appearance at the 2023 Oscars. However, Kaling clarified to People that, “The truth is that I spend so much time and energy trying to be healthy. I run or hike 20 miles a week and I lift weights.”

Islamophobia and antisemitism

Mindy Kaling is the co-creator of Never Have I Ever. Photo: EPA-EFE

Kaling’s Netflix original Never Have I Ever has been accused of Islamophobic and antisemitic writing, and the creator herself has been called out for casteism and a lack of racial diversity in her shows.