B.J. Novak's Playful Tribute to Mindy Kaling
During the ceremony, Novak praised Kaling for her immense success, from starring in and writing for The Office to creating and producing The Mindy Project and The Sex Lives of College Girls. However, he couldn’t resist poking fun at Kaling’s deep appreciation for fame.
“At this point, after all these successes, you also just know her from being famous, and that’s the part I want to say a few words about,” Novak joked. “Mindy respects and understands fame in a very intuitive way. In addition to being a brilliant and wildly successful showrunner, an incredible mother-of-three, a deep and caring daughter, and a mentor to so many, Mindy is also, in her spare time, I assure you, very superficial.”
He humorously noted Kaling’s fascination with red carpet drama, celebrity gossip, and the ever-popular "who wore it better" debates. But beneath the jokes, he praised her ability to handle fame with grace and authenticity.
“She understands what fame means to people because she’s a normal person and it means something to her,” Novak said. “She knows it can be fun and interesting, inspiring, but also misleading and unfair. And even though it’s a job you can never fully control, it’s a job she handles beautifully.”
A Friendship That Stands the Test of Time
Kaling and Novak’s friendship began in 2004 on the set of The Office, where they portrayed the hilariously dysfunctional duo Kelly Kapoor and Ryan Howard. While their on-again, off-again romance off-screen ended in 2007, their bond has only grown stronger over the years. Novak, who is also the godfather to Kaling’s three children, was the perfect person to honor her at such a prestigious event.
Reflecting on their friendship, Kaling joked in her speech, “I’m as starstruck by him now at age 29 as I was when I first met him at 24.” (Both Kaling and Novak are actually 45.)
She went on to express her gratitude, saying, “You are such an important and integral part of my family that sometimes I forget the reason that I know you is because we work together professionally. I love you.”
Mindy Kaling’s Legacy in Hollywood
Kaling’s journey in Hollywood has been nothing short of remarkable. From her breakout role in The Office to leading her own show The Mindy Project, and producing critically acclaimed series, she has paved the way for diverse storytelling in the industry. Her contributions to film, including Late Night, A Wrinkle in Time, and Ocean’s 8, have further solidified her status as a powerhouse in entertainment.
Her Walk of Fame speech encapsulated her excitement and gratitude. “This is one of the times where I’m just gonna force myself to be in the moment,” Kaling said with a smile. “I love recognition, and this is just incredibly nice.”
As Novak perfectly summed up, “We always knew you would be famous, but we had no idea how beautifully you’d handle the job.”
With her star now immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Mindy Kaling continues to shine—both as an entertainer and as an inspiration to many.
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