Actress Mindy Kaling recently showcased a noticeably slimmer figure, attributing her 40-pound weight loss to a regimen of hiking and strength training. Kaling, 47, appeared in a form-fitting strapless dress while en route to an interview on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in Hollywood on Monday.
Despite Kaling's repeated assertions that portion control and exercise have been key to her transformation, a segment of social media users have speculated that she may be using weight loss medications such as Ozempic or Wegovy. Representatives for Kaling did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This speculation follows an appearance on "The View" just over a month ago, where Kaling addressed comments about her weight loss, with some fans questioning her honesty regarding her journey. One commenter directly asked, "Are you being truthful about your Ozempic use?" Another user expressed confusion about Kaling's perceived lack of critical engagement with the trend of being thin, particularly in light of its politicization for women.
However, others have defended Kaling, emphasizing that her weight loss is a private matter. "It’s actually non of our business! You look awesome," one commenter wrote, while another advised, "everyone looking to celebrities for advice and answers, please go talk to God and a nutritionist."
Kaling has previously detailed her approach to weight loss. In May 2023, she told People that she aims for "20 miles a week of either hiking or running," incorporating it into her schedule by waking up early. She expressed newfound confidence in her body, stating, "I’m feeling really confident in my body these days, which is not something that I’ve been able to say for my whole life, unfortunately."
In April 2022, Kaling told Entertainment Tonight that she "eat[s] what I like to eat," but "less of it," emphasizing that restrictive diets do not work for her. She added, "I wish there was something more juicy or dynamic about the way that I've lost a little bit of weight, but that's the way I've done it."
She has described herself as a workout "hobbyist," enjoying diverse exercises from tai chi to pilates and strength training, believing that "surprising the body with lots of different things" is beneficial. Kaling also mentioned integrating shorter bouts of activity throughout her day, opting to walk during brief 10-minute windows rather than checking social media.
In May, Kaling shared with Bustle magazine that her motivation for losing 40 pounds was partly for health reasons, aiming to stave off conditions like diabetes, which runs in her family. "When I was younger, I would want to lose weight because of vanity reasons," she explained. "Now I want to lose weight or have lost weight because I want to stave off things like diabetes." Kaling is a mother of three and expressed a desire to live longer by avoiding the disease.