Mindy Kaling And BJ Novak Will Never Outrun The Rumors About Their Relationship

Mindy Kaling and BJ Novak, breakout comedy writers and stars of "The Office," might be in the world's highest-profile situationship. Though the couple officially split years ago — in 2014, Kaling told Howard Stern that the breakup left her so depressed she couldn't eat — they have remained close. Often, breaking free from your ex can be healthier than holding on, but Kaling and Novak have stayed close, maintaining the kind of nebulous, unusual relationship that has fans convinced that they're actually soulmates. "My working theory is they're emotionally deeply committed to each other, but it's an open relationship moreso for BJ's benefit," wrote one Reddit user.

Kaling is the mother of three kids, and has never publicly revealed the identity of their father. However, she did name Novak to be their godfather, and he's very involved in the children's lives. In 2025, Kaling described him as an 'important and integral part of my family' (via People). As a result, many fans speculate that Novak might actually be the kid's biological father, since he celebrates holidays with them and reportedly joked about suing for 'god-paternity rights.' "At this point it'd be weird if he isn't the father," mused one Reddit user. If Kaling and Novak truly want people to believe they're just friends, their public comments about one another aren't exactly doing much to quell the rumors.

Mindy Kaling has had a head-turning transformation over the years, but her unusual bond with former co-star BJ Novak remains one of the most consistent parts of her celebrity life. Though Kaling and Novak publicly maintain that they are simply close friends, their affectionate way of speaking about one another has only inflamed speculation that they are still romantically linked. "I will freely admit: My relationship with B.J. Novak is weird as hell. He is not my boyfriend, but he is not my best friend," Kaling told InStyle in 2015 (via People). "I guess you could describe our relationship as a 'romantically charged camaraderie with loud arguments,' but I don't think Facebook would accept this as a new status."

Novak has been equally as vague and effusive when speaking about Kaling. "She's just so funny and interesting that I'll talk to her as long as she'll talk to me," he told E! News in 2025. But while some see this as a sign they have a secret romantic connection, other fans suspect they've just figured out an unconventional approach to partnership. "I feel like they're best friends who have enough differences that they can't be together, but want to do life together," wrote one Reddit user. While their arrangement is certainly unusual, it's clear they have a tight bond and a relationship that works for them — proof, perhaps, that situationships aren't all bad.