At a Glance
- Mindy Kaling shared 2016 throwback photos despite feeling self-conscious about her changed appearance
- The actress admitted she almost skipped the viral trend because “I look different”
- Kaling has been candid about her health transformation and running 20 miles weekly
- Why it matters: Her post highlights how body image pressures affect even confident celebrities
Mindy Kaling almost let body insecurities stop her from joining the latest social media craze. The 46-year-old actress hesitated before posting throwback photos from 2016, she revealed Thursday, Jan. 15.
The Viral Trend That Sparked Doubt
The challenge sweeping platforms dubs 2026 as “the new 2016,” prompting users to share memories from a decade ago. Kaling’s Instagram carousel featured behind-the-scenes snapshots from her various projects during that period.
“I saw this 2016 trend and loved it and almost didn’t post because I look different,” she wrote in her caption. The star added parenthetically, “(I wonder if anyone else can relate lol) but I loved this time and all my memories from then, so had to post! Enjoy!!!!”
Her upload showcased a younger Kaling on set locations, capturing candid moments from her career peak during that era.
Public Scrutiny and Personal Transformation
The actress has undergone a visible physical transformation in recent years, sparking constant public commentary about her body. She addressed the attention during a May 2023 interview, revealing her current fitness routine includes running 20 miles per week.
“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,” Kaling told News Of Losangeles while discussing her Mindy x Andie Swim Collection launch.
The lifestyle shift has left her feeling “great,” though she acknowledges the intense interest in her appearance.
“I know people are really interested in my body and the changes in my body, and I think it’s flattering and sometimes it’s just a little much, so I don’t try to tune it in too much,” she explained. “The truth is that I spend so much time and energy trying to be healthy.”
Longstanding Body Image Struggles
Kaling’s relationship with body image has been complicated since her early career. In her 2015 book Why Not Me?, she wrote candidly about trying to meet beauty standards while feeling unsuccessful at conforming.
“I absolutely do try to conform to normal standards of beauty. I am just not remotely successful at it,” an excerpt reads.
The actress described a particularly painful moment when she discovered herself featured in a magazine spread titled “Curvy Celebs We Adore!” alongside actresses she perceived as “much bigger than me.”
“I cringed at the thought of being called curvy,” she admitted. “I’m not proud of the moment, but it’s an example of when I, too, have fallen victim to my own insecurities.”
Shifting Focus from Vanity to Health
The mental shift from appearance-based to health-based fitness goals took years for Kaling to achieve. In a May 2022 interview, she discussed letting go of weight loss motivated by vanity.
“I’ve tried really hard to let go of this idea of losing weight for vanity reasons and really trying to think of how I can be healthy,” she said.
Her current definition of health focuses on practical habits rather than aesthetics.
“My version of healthy is working out, moving my body a lot [and] keeping hydrated,” Kaling explained. “And that’s taken a long time to kind of shed those old ideas of working out.”
The Confidence to Share
Despite ongoing scrutiny about her changing appearance, Kaling ultimately chose to share her 2016 memories with followers. Her decision to post despite initial hesitation reflects her evolving relationship with body image and public perception.
The actress continues to balance transparency about her health journey while maintaining boundaries around excessive focus on her physical transformation.
Key Takeaways
- Kaling’s hesitation before posting 2016 photos reveals ongoing struggles with body image despite public confidence
- The actress maintains a rigorous fitness routine but emphasizes health over appearance
- Her decision to share throwback photos represents progress in accepting her physical evolution
- The post sparked conversations about how social media trends can trigger body insecurities even among successful celebrities
