Much ado has been made about actor, comedian, and writer Mindy Kaling’s dramatic weight loss over the years. But while many were quick to dismiss Kaling’s quest for a slimmer body as nothing more than a frivolous, frivolous project, The actual reason for Kaling’s weight loss was much more serious.
As it turns out, for Kaling, it’s all about wanting to “live at least 20 more years” for her three children, Katherine, Spencer and Anne. “When I was younger, I wanted to lose weight for silly reasons. Now I want to lose or lose weight because I want to avoid things like diabetes. I’ve had it on both sides of my family, and trying to avoid those kinds of things, I think will help prolong life for me, and that’s my goal,” Kaling said. hustle In May 2026, ref The relationship between excess weight and type 2 diabetes.
According to Kaling, it was that mentality that ultimately tipped the scales in her favor. Once I started focusing on mindful eating, Working in ways that brought her happinessand staying hydrated, rather than trying to stick to restrictive diets, I successfully started losing weight. “I’ll never be someone who can eat spinach and salmon every day,” she joked about her love of food. today In 2025. However, it’s clear that Kaling’s approach has paid off, and she has the before-and-after photos to prove it.
Mindy Kaling’s Golden Globes before-and-after looks like something out of a time machine
Mindy Kaling is no stranger to award shows. Over the years, Kaling has graced many star-studded events with her presence, including the Golden Globe Awards. As evidenced by her red carpet photos of award shows in 2009 and 2025, the before and after looks like something out of a time machine.
Fortunately for Kaling, her attitude toward events and preparation for them has changed as well. Before her weight loss, Kaling wasn’t a fan of finding a dress for big events. “Trying on gowns is frustrating. I’m smaller at the top than I am at the bottom, so gowns rarely fit me well,” she once admitted in an op-ed for luster About finding the right dress to flatter her figure. But after her significant weight loss, she seems to have had a change of heart. “I don’t think I’ve ever worn a dress as quickly as I did @erinwalshstyle in this absolutely stunning silver dress from @oscardelarenta.” Instagram In March 2025 for her dress at the Academy Awards. As the old saying goes, if you look good, you feel good.
Mindy Kaling’s 2006 post is her most telling before and after
Mindy Kaling’s before-and-after transformation was on full display when she participated in the viral social media trend of posting photos from 2016. In fact, Kaling was so worried that her old photos from ten years ago would be upsetting that she didn’t share them at all. “I saw this trend for 2016 and loved it and almost didn’t post it because I look different but these pics are too fun to share. (I wonder if anyone else can share them haha) but I loved this time and all my memories since then, so I had to post! Enjoy!!!!” Kaling common to Instagram on January 15, along with a collection of photos from the year in question — all before she lost the weight.
With throwback photos alongside photos from her previous Instagram mailwhich she showed off on the red carpet while attending the Women’s Wear Daily Style Awards just days earlier on January 9, it was hard to argue with Kaling’s feelings about the stark contrast in her look. However, many in the comments section were supportive. “This is the Mindy we fell in love with. It’s not your weight, it’s not your dress size, it’s the talented, creative, comedic genius writer you are,” one encouraging user wrote. He said.
Mindy Kaling and PJ Novak prove before and after that they’re friends through thick and thin
A picture is worth a thousand words. Case in point: Mindy Kaling’s before and after with her old friend-turned-on-again boyfriend, BJ Novak, circa 2005 and 2025, respectively. The story goes that Kaling first met Novak in 2004 while they were both working as writers and actors on The Office. Fortunately, as seen in this before-and-after photo, the friendship has stood the test of time and all the changes that come with that, including Kaling’s transition into motherhood and her mission to become the healthiest version of herself. “The truth is, BJ is more like family now than a platonic friend,” Kaling told Good Housekeeping in 2019. “He’s my daughter’s godfather.” the people).
But as much as things change, they also stay the same. “She’s so funny and interesting that I’ll talk to her as long as she’ll talk to me,” Novak said excitedly. and! newsErin Lim Rhodes and Will Marfuggi in May 2025 talk about his long friendship with Kaling and their shared history together.
Whatever you do, don’t call Mindy Kaling before and after your glow
Mindy Kaling’s level of success has been undeniable during her time as creator, executive producer, writer and main star of ‘The Mindy Project’. However, it’s been onward and upward for Kaling — in more ways than one. In April 2026, Kaling appeared in the Season 2 premiere of Netflix’s “Running Point” — where she serves as creator, writer, and executive producer of the comedy series — sporting a very curvaceous figure in a figure-hugging black dress with a sheer bodice and sparkling, embellished crystal bra cups.
Unfortunately, some social media users couldn’t get over the amount of weight Kaling lost and weren’t particularly happy about it. “The actress who plays Mindy has lost a lot of weight,” one user wrote Comment. The naysayers weren’t entirely wrong either. As evidenced by Kaling’s photo from her “Mindy Project” days, the difference was striking. However, one Kaling fan was quick to point out that Kaling has always been beautiful, no matter the number on the scale. “I’m so tired of people saying that was her glow – her beauty was constant, I’m sorry those pea brains couldn’t see it but I’m glad they get the picture now,” the user wrote. books.



