20 Questions with Mindy Kaling
The Mindy Project creator/star sounds off on Hollywood crushes, offensive TV characters, and the album that makes her cry
1. What brings you the greatest joy? Laughing.
2. What is your pet peeve? Moodiness.
3. What is the best advice you've been given? "Be kind." Greg Daniels, my mentor from The Office, told me that.
4. What app can you not live without? Hopscotch, an awesome coding app for kids that I use, too.
5. What TV show can't you miss? The Walking Dead. I have a big crush on Rick, the ragged/rugged sheriff.
6. What movie had the greatest ending? Bridget Jones's Diary.
7. What is on your liquor shelf? Mike's Hard Lemonade Frozen.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
8. What is your greatest indulgence? I like to take my writing staff on trips. We went to Vegas last summer. I'd love to take them somewhere up north, like Redwood National Park.
9. What charities do you support? Pancan.org, a great organization that helps people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and their caregivers.
10. Who do you follow on Twitter? @ders808 (Anders Holm), @sethrogen, @glennhowerton. My favorite account is my best friend B.J. Novak's [fictional] teenage sister Keough's, @keonovak.
11. Who are your heroes? My mom and dad—both smart, funny, insanely hardworking people who raised me to believe I could do whatever I wanted.
12. What is your beauty secret? I still break out (thanks, genetics), so I use this cool blue-light device called the Tria.
13. What splurge is well worth it? I just bought some land in the Hollywood Hills with a dilapidated shack on it that my dad (an architect) and I are excited to renovate.
14. What is on your nightstand? A picture of my mom, a bottle of water, and Post-its and a pen.
15. What is on your bookshelf? Haruki Murakami's What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. I'm an avid slow jogger.
16. What is your favorite food? Australian red licorice.
17. What makes you laugh? I love characters who are somewhat offensive but also deeply sensitive (Kenny Powers from Eastbound & Down, Michael Scott from The Office).
18. What makes you cry? Paul Simon's Graceland album.
19. What is on your feet? Nicholas Kirkwood pumps at night, Adidas Originals x Opening Ceremony sneakers by day.
20. What was your favorite vacation? New York City last May: I was hanging with my best friend Jocelyn's son (and my godson), Makua; doing The Daily Show with my crush Jon Stewart; meeting President Obama; and taking barre classes to offset all the awesome New York food I ate.
Credits
1. Kaling's show, The Mindy Project, was just renewed for a third season.
2. Paul Simon with Miriam Makeba on his Graceland tour, 1987.
3. The alcohol Kaling has on her liquor shelf.
4. Australian red licorice.
5. The book on Kaling's nightstand.
6. Jon Stewart, a Kaling crush.
7. Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth in Bridget Jones's Diary.
8. Nicholas Kirkwood pump.
Dedicated to women of power, purpose, and style, Marie Claire is committed to celebrating the richness and scope of women's lives. Reaching millions of women every month, Marie Claire is an internationally recognized destination for celebrity news, fashion trends, beauty recommendations, and renowned investigative packages.
-
'Dune: Prophecy' Shows the Bene Gesserit's Rise to Power—Meet the Next Gen Actresses Leading the Max Series
And if you need a refresher on House Atreides and Harkonnen lore, we've got you covered.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Prince Andrew's "Anxiety is Through the Roof " Amid Royal Lodge Battle
The royal "is generally very lost," a source claims.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Nicole Kidman Addresses the Popular Meme Referencing Her Divorce From Tom Cruise
"That wasn't real life."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Hailey Bieber Shares Her First Photo of Baby Son Jack Blues Since Giving Birth—See the Sweet Shot
So freaking cute.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Actors Who Are Nothing Like Their Most Iconic Characters
Talk about awards-worthy, transformative performances.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
The Question on Everyone's Lips: Did Beyoncé Skip the 2024 MTV VMAs?
It's been a few years since she last graced the carpet with her presence.
By Kelsey Stiegman Published
-
Why Isn't Selena Gomez at the 2024 VMAs?
Her absence became even more noticeable after her bestie Taylor Swift showed up.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Jennifer Lopez Thought Ben Affleck Was a "Changed Man" But Being Married to Him Was "Impossible"
"Friends think he is selfish, sullen, impossible to please most of the time and negative."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
The 78 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes of All Time
Honestly, we're impressed.
By Charlotte Chilton Published
-
Super Rare Photos of Queen Elizabeth as a Young Woman
From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young princess, beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young woman.
By Mehera Bonner Published