Mindy Kaling unintentionally sparked a fresh wave of speculation surrounding her relationship with former co-star B.J. Novak through a playful social media post. In an Instagram post on Monday, Kaling celebrated Novak’s 44th birthday by sharing a candid selfie of them riding in a car together. Alongside the photo, she wrote, “Happy birthday, Uncle B! We love you!” The post quickly gained popularity, receiving over 125,000 likes and numerous comments that referenced the ongoing rumor suggesting Novak is the secret father of Kaling’s children, Katherine (5) and Spencer (2). One commenter jokingly stated, “B actually stands for baby daddy,” while another added, “You aren’t fooling anyone!!” Others made more subtle references to their mysterious relationship, with one person expressing admiration for their commitment to whatever kind of relationship they have.
Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak initially met in 2004 while filming the first season of “The Office.” They had an on-again, off-again romantic relationship until 2007, as reported by People magazine. Despite ending their romance, they have remained close friends ever since, often attending red carpet events together in Hollywood and beyond. Last month, they were spotted together at a Red Sox game in Boston, near Novak’s hometown. Kaling has never publicly addressed the paternity of her children but has subtly dismissed the rumors by stating that Novak is their godparent and stressing their close relationship. In an interview with Marie Claire last year, she mentioned that the rumors haven’t affected her happiness or her children’s well-being and humorously acknowledged that if it’s what excites people, she’ll embrace it.
Throughout the scrutiny surrounding their relationship, Kaling has maintained a sense of humor. During a joint appearance at the 2022 Emmy Awards, they mocked the rumors while presenting an award. Kaling jokingly congratulated the nominees and playfully called them “lazy sons of bitches,” referencing the demanding shooting schedules of network sitcoms compared to limited series. Novak further highlighted the complex relationships that form between co-stars when working on longer, traditional series. Kaling humorously acknowledged that they had no choice but to form such intricate relationships.
Mindy Kaling’s playful social media post and her enduring friendship with B.J. Novak continue to captivate audiences, leaving the true nature of their relationship open to interpretation.
