Mindy Kaling Thought She’d Never Be On TV Because She’s Not ‘Traditionally Thin Or Beautiful’

Mindy Kaling is one of our favourite women in Hollywood, talented, funny on and off screen. But the actress and writer admitted that she didn’t think she’d ever be on camera because of her appearance.

“There weren’t any Indian people in films or TV or comedy or drama,” she recalled of growing up.

“I was never confident that I’d be on camera for a number of reasons. One being that I’m not traditionally thin or beautiful by LA standards,” she told Stylist.

Mindy is now a regular on our screens from her days as the hilarious Kelly in The Office, to The Mindy Project, right up to her new role on Late Night out in June. But the star explains that while she is now a well-known face, she’s grateful that it wasn’t her looks that got her to where she is.

“It’s hard for people who have been cast as the beautiful women in everything since they were 18 and then they roll around to 42 and everyone wants them to play like the grandmother,” she said. “I feel lucky that I have never had to base my career on beauty. That obviously sucks a lot for your ego when you’re in your 20s, but as I’m getting older I think that’s a benefit.”

This is something that actress Olivia Wilde spoke about recently too, claiming that after 15 years in the industry, she finally got a job that wasn’t based on her appearance.

Olivia Wilde looking ridey in a Conscious blazer, €99.

“It is remarkable that I am 35 years old and this is the first job I’ve ever had that wasn’t entirely dependent on and connected to my looks,” she told The New York Times of her directorial debut with new film Booksmart.

“It grosses me out to acknowledge it, but I’ve been thinking a lot about it,” she admitted.

• Mindy Kaling