Mindy Kaling recalls Amy Poehler and Tina Fey telling her losing 30 pounds was 'too much'

'The Office' star told Poehler that the response stayed with her because it challenged the way she viewed herself

Mindy Kaling has reflected on a conversation with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey that changed the way she viewed her body, revealing the comedy icons told her that her goal of losing 30 pounds was "too much" when they first met more than 20 years ago.

Speaking on Poehler's Good Hang podcast, Kaling recalled meeting Poehler and Fey around 2005 while working as a guest writer on Saturday Night Live. During their conversation, she admitted she wanted to lose 30 pounds.

"I remember this story, and I'm not proud of it," Kaling said. "I was like, 'I just want to lose 30 pounds,' and the two of you stopped and were like, 'What? That is too much weight.'"

The Office star said their response stayed with her because it challenged the way she viewed herself at the time.

"I remember I was so happy for like three weeks after," she said. "I was like, 'Wow, Amy and Tina don't think I'm a fat load.' I was so happy."

Kaling explained that conversations about dieting and body image were commonplace in the early 2000s, making the exchange particularly meaningful. Rather than dismissing her concerns, she appreciated that Poehler and Fey engaged with the discussion honestly.

"I think really it was a kindness for you to acknowledge that, so I could see that in my heroes," Kaling said, adding that she admired both comedians and valued their openness.

Poehler agreed that discussions about body image have long been part of women's lives, especially for those working in entertainment.

"We're constantly trying to figure out everybody's relationship to being on camera," Poehler said. "For better or for worse, what women do for each other and to each other is they talk about their bodies to each other."

Kaling has spoken candidly in recent months about her changing appearance and weight-loss journey. While promoting her Hulu series Not Suitable for Work, she explained that improving her health, not meeting beauty standards, has become her primary motivation.

The actress said she has wanted to lose weight since she was 12 years old and has spent much of her career writing jokes about dieting and body image. More recently, she revealed that becoming a mother to her three children and a family history of health issues inspired her to prioritise long-term wellbeing.

Kaling's latest comments highlight how a brief conversation with two of her comedy heroes left a lasting impression, reminding her that support and honesty can have a profound impact on someone's self-image.