Mindy Kaling calls B.J. Novak “family” as fans debate their close bond

Mindy Kaling is sharing more about the important role B.J. Novak plays in her family life. In a new interview with Bustle, the 46-year-old actress and writer spoke about her longtime friend and former boyfriend, saying Novak has become a major presence in the lives of her three children: Katherine “Kit,” 8, Spencer, 5, and Anne, 2.

“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,” said Kaling. “But I also know that it gives people a lot of ideas.” Kaling acknowledged that public curiosity about their relationship is understandable, especially given their history and continued closeness.

“If I were watching it from the outside, I would have the same questions and the same reactions,” she admitted. Kaling and Novak first became close while working together on The Office. The two dated on and off from 2004 to 2007 and have remained close friends since. Novak is also the godfather to Kaling’s three children.

During the interview, Kaling also reflected on her decision to become a mother on her own. The Running Point creator said the choice once felt “really crazy,” especially because she had never thought of herself as a “kid person.”

“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,” shared Kaling. “B.J., for instance, he’s always been a kid person.”

She added that Novak’s comfort around children has long been clear to her. “He has a brother who’s 13 years younger than him, and he loved his little brother and just always has been a kid person,” she continued. “It’s such a deep mystery why I needed to do it.”

Novak has also spoken publicly about his bond with Kaling’s children. In April, during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, he revealed that Kaling’s daughter Kit has a special nickname for him inspired by a children’s cartoon character.

“Kit nicknamed me Fofo, which is based on a Duolingo for Kids character — the bear Fofo,” he said. “So, I got her a Fofo stuffed animal for her collection, and that hit the spot.”

Host Andy Cohen praised Novak’s connection with children, saying, “I have to say B.J. [is] very present with children. He’s very— he gets on their level. He talks to them,” before joking about Novak’s children’s book.

“Yeah, but it’s out of love,” the actor replied. “… That’s a lesson for all of us, right? You do what you love, and you get more out of that.” Kaling previously confirmed Novak’s role as godfather in a 2019 interview with Good Housekeeping.

“The truth is that B.J. is so much more like family now than a platonic friend. He’s the godfather to my daughter,” Kaling said at the time. “He comes over once a week. Sometimes he’ll come over just to hang out with her,” she added.