By: Victoria Nelli
Honestly who doesn’t love Mindy Kaling? Critics? Nope, they do. Audiences? They definitely love her. Young girls? Is that even a question? See where I’m going with this?
Kaling burst onto the TV scene as a writer for THE OFFICE back in 2005, she wrote some of THE OFFICES most memorable episodes, including “The Dundies” and “The Injury,” as well as directed and wrote the Subtle Sexuality webisodes, where she starred alongside THE OFFICE costar Ellie Kemper. After playing the self obsessed Kelly Kapoor on the NBC hit comedy she had a couple of small roles in films such as THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, NO STRINGS ATTACHED, and THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT.
Her book “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)” was a New York Times best seller, and became a 21st century bible for adolescent girls everywhere. (If you and your best friends don’t have the “Best Friends Rules and Responsibilities” chapter memorized you’re not doing friendship correctly) Her book gave an in depth look into her child hood as a chubby, comedy / rom-com obsessed teen, a look into her post college years, as well as her first big break, playing Ben Affleck alongside her best friend, Brenda Withers in their original play Matt & Ben. (I highly recommend you read the play)
Kaling’s show THE MINDY PROJECT premiered on FOX September 25th 2012, it stars Kaling, as a nerdy, uncomfortable, just-your-average-woman, Obgyn. Mindy Lahiri. She is accompanied by Danny Castellano (Chris Messina), Morgan Tookers (Ike Barinholtz), and Jeremy Reed (Ed Weeks.) It had a small but dedicated following when it first premiered but now it has a full-fledged fan base.
There is a reason Kaling gets so many retweets on twitter, and likes on instagram, and is quoted by my friends and I on a daily basis. It’s not because she is an untouchable celebrity that is too posh to tweet things like “Okay how do I dress this summer when I’m NOT at a music festival?” She is the biggest fangirl out there, and the best part is, she knows it. Nobody makes fun of Mindy Kaling as much as Mindy Kaling makes fun of Mindy Kaling. She’s the perfect example of what a successful woman in her thirties should be, smart, confident, kind, and willing to admit that there is nothing cuter than a Jewish comedy writer wearing Levis, and a pair of converse sneakers.
Many people argue that Lena Dunham is the voice of our generation, I agree with that, but if Lena is the voice, then I truly believe Mindy is the heart, and maybe the funny bone or left knee or some other weird, but necessary part. 
Victoria Nelli loves TV so much that she is paying $30,000 a year to learn about it in College. When she’s not learning about TV she enjoys writing about her favorite shows, interviewing anyone in the industry that will let her, and ranting about how underrated Parks and Recreation is. She is very much aware of her Netflix addiction, and no she will not be seeking help anytime soon. You can follow her on Twitter @VictoriaNelli