Mindy Kaling Reveals Her Celebrity Crush, Despite Lacking ‘Lust Feelings’

Mindy Kaling recently opened up about her personal life, revealing a surprising lack of romantic activity.

During an interview on the “Armchair Expert” podcast, the former “Office” star admitted, “I can’t recall the last time I was infatuated with someone. I’m just not feeling that kind of desire.”

The 45-year-old actress shared that she gave birth to her daughter Anne in February 2024, and speculated that her current feelings might be linked to recent motherhood, saying, “It could be related to having to breastfeed… Perhaps it’s about giving yourself a break.”

Dax Shepard, the host of the podcast, noted that it’s common for new mothers to experience a significant drop in their sex drive. His co-host, Monica Padman, suggested that delaying dating into later life and idealizing romance from a young age might supplant actual romantic experiences.

Kaling recalled that the last time she felt an attraction to someone, she didn’t feel compelled to scrutinize his personal life or attend his movie premiere.

She expressed admiration for actor Hugh Grant during his November 2024 appearance on the “SmartLess” podcast. “He was incredibly witty,” she remarked to Shepard and Padman, noting Grant’s ability to articulate stories with precision and humor.

“I found myself thinking, ‘I’m crushing on you, Hugh Grant,’” Kaling confessed. “Not that he would reciprocate the interest, but just listening was fulfilling enough for me.”

The Upsides of Singledom

In the same podcast episode, Kaling discussed the advantages of being single, especially as a busy mother. She highlighted the freedom from compromise and the additional mental space available to her.

While she’s open to the possibility of love, Kaling emphasized that she doesn’t feel a dependency on having a partner. “I know people who can’t feel complete without a relationship. I used to be like that,” she shared.

Comparing her personal life to celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, who seems to thrive on romantic relationships, Kaling noted, “J.Lo is a true romantic, and it energizes her.”

Kaling embarked on motherhood solo, welcoming her first child, Katherine, in 2017, and her son, Spencer, in 2020. She credits her decision to have children in part to advice from Reese Witherspoon during the filming of “A Wrinkle in Time.”

“The idea of parenthood was intimidating for the longest time,” Kaling revealed. “Reese encouraged me in her trailer on a New Zealand set, advising me not to delay if it was something I truly wanted.”

In the discussion, Kaling did not address ongoing speculations that her former boyfriend and close friend B.J. Novak might be the father of her children, a topic she has previously brushed off as inconsequential to her. At a recent Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, she described Novak as a crucial part of her family’s life, where he is also the godfather to her children.