Mindy Kaling claims people think she is Sandra Bullock’s assistant.
The ‘Mindy Project’ star is currently filming ‘Ocean’s Eight’ alongside the Oscar-winning actress, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Awkwafina, Sarah Paulson and Rihanna, and admits she has never felt "so unfamous" in her life because she gets much less paparazzi attention than her co-stars do.
Asked what her paparazzi experience has been like during filming, she told ‘Late Night’ host Seth Meyers: "With that group of women, I’ve never felt so unfamous in my life. Like, I thought I was pretty cool. I have my own show. People think I’m Sandra Bullock’s assistant and they’re like, ‘Get out of the way! We need to bring Sandra her matcha tea.’ I’m like, ‘I’m in a scene with her. I’m not her assistant.’ Then I’m like, ‘OK! Whatever. I’ll give her her matcha tea. Might as well.’"
And the 37-year-old star has found no one attracts more attention than singer-turned-actress Rihanna.
She said: "There’s movie/TV famous, and then there’s international pop star famous, which is at a whole other level.
"We shot a scene, all eight of us together recently, and when we walked outside, there was this huge paparazzi [swarm].
"I was talking to Anne Hathaway and Rihanna was kind of behind us. And there was a sea of paparazzi taking photos and all that.
"I was feeling kind of cool and famous. Then Rihanna took a left to her trailer, which was not in the same direction that me and Anne were going, and the paparazzi left so quickly.
"It was like a desert! Anne and I were talking, and I’m trying to have this sexy conversation with Anne Hathaway, and no one’s around or cares even."
To prove her point, Mindy had the host display a paparazzi picture of herself, Anne, and Rihanna on set.
She said: "Just for the record, I’m wearing a gorgeous coat. I’m showing a lot of leg [and wearing] expensive shoes. Anne is wearing a leopard coat. Rihanna’s wearing a full parka and baggy jeans!
"They shoved me out of the way to get to her. ‘Get out of the way, Sandra Bullock’s assistant! We want to talk to Rihanna!’ "
But if paparazzi are around, the ‘Office’ star always puts on a big smile in order to avoid speculation about her personal life.
She said: "I noticed when they have a picture of a celebrity looking kind of unhappy, they’re like, ‘Addiction Problems!’ And they put it next to [a photo of] you frowning.
"No matter what I’m in, I’m always like, ‘Anne Hathaway’s the most hilarious person in the whole world!’ "
Mindy Kaling feels unfamous on Ocean’s Eight set
