I always wanted to write, even before I realized that there was a comedy writers' world, or what that life was like. I never thought of myself, at least as a little kid, in terms of being the onscreen talent. I always thought it'd be so much fun to write sketches and be a writer. Even as little as 6 or 7, that's what my main interest was.
Mindy KalingLater, when you're grown up, you realize you never really get to hang out with your family. You pretty much have only eighteen years to spend with them full time, and that's it.
Mindy KalingThere are little Indian girls out there who look up to me, and I never want to belittle the honor of being an inspiration to them. But while Iโm talking about why Iโm so different, white male show runners get to talk about their art. I always get asked, โWhere do you get your confidence?โ I think people are well meaning, but itโs pretty insulting. Because what it means to me is, โYou, Mindy Kaling, have all the trappings of a very marginalized person. Youโre not skinny, youโre not white, youโre a woman. Why on earth would you feel like youโre worth anything?โ
Mindy KalingFor heavenโs sake, if you donโt know someoneโs name, just pretend you do. Do that thing everyone else does, where you vaguely say, โNice to see you!โ and make weak eye contact.
Mindy KalingI think as women, you know, if you are considered a pioneer in these things, you can get really distracted by these other things - you know, people's demands of you reflecting on your otherness. And for this white critic to say, "I don't understand why she doesn't do that" - and you're like, "It's because I'm running a show on a major network and I want the show to continue" - and to sort of guilt me.
Mindy Kaling