Mindy Kaling tossed fans a juicy nugget about her bond with B.J. Novak on Thursday’s “The Kardashians,” reigniting the are-they-or-aren’t-they debate. The “Office” alum, 45, called Novak, 45, “integral” to her life last week at her Walk of Fame star ceremony, but now she’s doubled down with a fresh tale. Social media buzzes—could these besties be hiding a romance behind their quirky friendship?
Kaling’s Latest Spill
Kaling told Khloé Kardashian she once pranked Novak into thinking she’d snagged a fake award, laughing as he fell for it hook, line, and sinker. “He’s my go-to for chaos—he gets me like no one else,” she grinned, per the episode aired on Hulu. Fans on X lit up, with one posting, “Mindy and B.J. are soulmates, fight me,” echoing years of speculation.
The pair met in 2004 on “The Office,” sparking an on-off fling that fizzled by 2007. Their characters, Kelly and Ryan, mirrored the mess—love, fights, and all. Web ID 17 notes Novak’s Walk of Fame speech last week, dubbing their past “toxic” yet “romantic,” while Kaling gushed he’s family—godfather to her kids, Katherine, 7, Spencer, 4, and Anne, 1.
Platonic or Passionate?
Kaling’s kept her kids’ dad a secret, fueling whispers Novak’s the guy—rumors she shrugs off. “It doesn’t bug me—he’s their uncle FoFo,” she said on the show, nodding to his goofy nickname. Posts on X lean in, one joking, “They’re married and just trolling us.” Yet, she’s firm: “We’ve been friends 20 years—exes don’t marry,” per Web ID 9.
Novak’s no stranger to her pranks—Web ID 12 recalls her tricking him on set about fake facts. Now, she says he’s her “chaos buddy,” a vibe Khloé vibed with, laughing, “I get it—my sisters drive me nuts too.” For fans, it’s classic Mindy-B.J.—close, messy, and maddeningly vague.
Their red-carpet strolls—like the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars bash—keep tongues wagging. Kaling’s latest quip hints at a bond too deep for labels, but no kiss seals the deal. For now, they’re the platonic puzzle Hollywood can’t crack.
Nica is a seasoned entertainment journalist who loves covering celebrities, anime, K-pop, K-drama, television, and movies. With years of experience in digital media, she has built a reputation for delivering engaging and insightful coverage of the latest trends in the entertainment industry.
Previously, she served as a Managing Editor at International Business Times UK and Latin Times, leading editorial teams and shaping content strategies. Before that, she was a Senior Reporter at International Business Times US and The Inquisitr, covering high-profile celebrity news, film and TV updates, and in-depth features on global pop culture phenomena.
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