Actress and producer Mindy Kaling has officially denied long-standing rumors that she is secretly dating her former co-star B.

J. Novak.

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In an interview with Bustle published Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Kaling confirmed she is currently single and happy without a romantic partner.

"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 said.

A Close Friendship That Sparks Speculation

Kaling and Novak originally dated from 2004 to 2007 while working on the NBC sitcom "The Office."

Since then, they have maintained a close friendship, which Kaling acknowledges naturally draws public curiosity.

"If I was just watching it from the outside, I would have the same questions and the same reactions," she admitted.

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The pair's bond has also led to speculation about the paternity of Kaling's three children: Katherine, Spencer, and Anne.

Novak serves as godfather to the children and is actively involved in their lives.

Kaling emphasized her choice to keep her children's personal details private until they are old enough to discuss them.

"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," she said.

The actress acknowledged that their public closeness fuels ongoing theories about their relationship dynamic.

"But I also know that it gives people a lot of ideas," she admitted.

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Different Views on Parenthood

Kaling also discussed the personal differences between herself and Novak regarding their inclinations toward having children.

"It's one of the biggest mysteries in my life, this fervent knowledge that I knew I had to have kids that was not based on any real love of children.

B. J.

, for instance, he's always been a kid person," she explained.

Novak has previously shared his perspective on the public's fixation with their relationship.

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Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he admitted he is totally conscious of the obsession but prefers to let people think what they want.