B.J. Novak Reflected on His ‘Toxic’ and ‘Romantic’ Relationship With Mindy Kaling

B.J. Novak and Mindy Kaling are close friends, colleagues, and exes. The pair have always been relatively private about their on-again-off-again relationship, which has only sparked the rumor mill further. In fact, many people suspect that B.J. is the secret biological father of Mindy’s children! The pair’s resistance to publicizing their bond is what made Novak’s speech at the Producers Guild Awards so surprising. When presenting Kaling with an award, he uncharacteristically detailed their relationship over the years.

B.J. spoke about the early days working with Mindy, back in 2004, when they were writers and actors for the hit show The Office. “We were in love with each other, and we were reckless idiots, and the two of us would argue about all of these things forever.” In 2007, they ended their romance — which Novak called a “tumultuous, romantic, toxic, boundary-less mess.”

One might think that Mindy would be upset by B.J.’s perspective of their history together, but she seems to agree wholeheartedly. Kaling was smiling and nodding throughout the entirety of her friend’s eight-minute speech. In fact, during her acceptance speech, Mindy spoke about B.J. saying, “He’s remained my closest friend throughout my entire career. He’s seen all the ups and downs, and it just means the world to me.” Kaling even added, “I am so lucky that my favorite writer is also my best friend. I love you.”