The star of The Office and The Mindy Project talks about failure, why now is a great time for ‘chipper’ comedy – and being the only woman of colour in the room
Last year, Mindy Kaling, the 36-year-old Indian-American writer, actor and producer, was asked to present the Emmy nominations live on television. She was thrilled, “for one reason, and one reason alone. I thought: ‘This might help me get an Emmy!’” Her show, The Mindy Project– in which she plays Dr Mindy Lahiri, a celebrity- and fashion-obsessed obstetrician and gynaecologist – was in its third season and she really, really wanted to win. It was only when the president of the awards academy patted her arm and told her,“You know, you’re in such a tough category”, that it dawned on her that she might not even be nominated.
As her co-presenter, Carson Daly, read out the nominations for lead actress in a comedy drama, up popped the faces of Amy Poehler and Melissa McCarthy on screen – but no Kaling, who stood by Daly’s side, concentrating very hard on maintaining her smile.
I'm often the only woman, and the only person of colour at an event. Me being there makes other people look open-minded
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