Mindy Kaling, serving as the celebrity host for the third night of the Democratic National Convention, took the stage in support of Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. Kaling described Harris as a friend and shared a humorous moment from a cooking video they filmed together, where she jokingly claimed to have “outed” Harris as Indian.
During her speech, Kaling reflected on her first encounter with Harris when she was still a senator. They had filmed a video at Kaling’s home, where the vice president helped make dosas, a traditional South Indian dish. Kaling expressed her nervousness about hosting a senator but emphasized the immediate connection they formed, bonding over their shared experiences of losing their mothers to cancer. Both of their mothers were immigrants from India dedicated to serving others—Kaling’s mother was an OB-GYN while Harris’ mother, Shyamala, was a scientist researching cancer cures.
Kaling highlighted Harris’s culinary skills and how she handled the situation with kindness and consideration for Kaling’s children. She noted, “She was so much better than me, but she also knew that my family was watching,” describing how Harris encouraged her during the cooking process, ensuring Kaling’s daughter admired her mother.
Despite only tasting one bite of the dosa, Kaling expressed her belief in Harris’s warmth and generosity, stating that these qualities would translate to her leadership as president. She emphasized that Harris genuinely cares for others and will advocate for their freedoms, embodying the values instilled in her by her mother.
Kaling concluded her speech with a call to action, urging viewers to remember that a successful Democratic campaign also requires support for congressional candidates. She introduced Hakeem Jeffries, the U.S. house minority leader, and playfully referred to him as “your next Speaker of the House.”
Later in the evening, after a speech from former President Bill Clinton, Kaling entertained the audience by mentioning her home state of Massachusetts, responding to its critics. She expressed her affection for the state, referencing local sports and celebrities while poking fun at recent headlines, including Jennifer Lopez’s divorce from Ben Affleck. Kaling wrapped up her address by proclaiming the superiority of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, linking it humorously to Affleck’s frequent appearances with their cups.