Mindy Kaling Finally Addressed the 20 Year Speculation on Her 'Situationship'
Anyone who's loved The Office, The Mindy Project, or even just a good "will they or won't they" has probably wondered about the dynamic between Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak. But after two decades of being extremely tight-lipped about the status between the two of them, Kaling sat down for an interview with Bustleto officially put the matter of what is or isn't going on to bed.
Kaling reiterated that she is absolutely, unequivocally single, saying: "Right now, there is not anyone out there. It is crazy for someone like me, who only wrote about the pursuit of romance for so much of my life, to be very happy and content without a partner." She does get how it's understandable people would be curious about her relationship with Novak though acknowledging, "If I was just watching it from the outside, I would have the same questions and the same reactions."
The duo met while working on NBC's The Office and dated on and off from 2004 to 2007. They've been intertwined and borderline inseparable since, causing fans to speculate whether or not they're together privately. Even noted in the interview with Bustle, Kaling keeps a bedazzled frame with the words "Never Complain, Never Explain" embroidered on fabric on her desk, which was a gift from Novak.
One of the toughest rumors that has swirled amongst them is that of Kaling's three children. While Kaling has never disclosed the paternity of any of her kids, people have speculated that Katherine, Spencer, and Anne are all children she shares with Novak. Kaling has been clear over the years that she will talk about her children's father and the details about her road to motherhood if and only if her kids are old enough to understand things first. However she did say of Novak (who is godfather to all three) and her little ones, "He really is in our family, and I love talking about him because my kids adore him, and he's such a huge part of our life."
Ten years ago Kaling described her situationship with Novak as "weird as hell." And to some, it may still seem that way. But it's refreshing to see a star like Kaling be so confident in her boundaries and living her authentic life, even if it only makes sense to her.
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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 12:05 AM.