Mindy Kaling reveals the biggest misconception about Meghan Markle

Actress Mindy Kaling is peeling back the curtain on her close friendship with Meghan Markle - and even revealed what the biggest misconception about the mom-of-two is. Kaling, 45, has been friends with the Duchess of Sussex, 43, for many years now, since the pair recorded an episode together for Markle's now-defunct podcast, Archetypes.

The comedian will also be appearing on an episode of Markle's new Netflix cooking show, which is set to premiere on March 4. During a recent interview with TIME Magazine, Kaling opened up about her experience filming the show with her friend, and even shared more about Markle's personality.

'I think a misconception about Meghan is that she's in any way fussy or has expectations of fanciness,' Kaling told the outlet of Markle. 'She really is a down-to-earth person who knows a lot of fun tricks to make entertaining and cooking easier,' Kaling added.

She also shared how the former Suits actress showed up for her during her maternity leave, as she invited her to be on the show for a much needed 'break.'. 'I was on maternity leave with my daughter in March and April, and Meghan texted me that she was doing a show where she was going to cook for her friends,' Kaling, who has three children, told TIME.

Actress Mindy Kaling is peeling back the curtain on her close friendship with Meghan Markle - and even revealed what the biggest misconception about the mom-of-two is. The comedian will also be appearing on an episode of Markle's new Netflix cooking show, which is set to premiere on March 4.

'I think a misconception about Meghan is that she's in any way fussy or has expectations of fanciness,' Kaling told the outlet of Markle. 'Would I want to come to Montecito and have her cook for me? I wanted to get taken care of in that moment of my life. That was a fun maternity leave field trip,' she continued.

'And I left with a basket of fresh produce and homemade jam and hot sauce because she knew I loved hot sauce. She's a very generous woman who knew I needed a break.'. The Mindy Project star spilled that the episode she and Markle filmed was centered around throwing a party for children.

Markle, of course, has two children with Prince Harry - son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, five, and daughter Princess Lilibet of Sussex, three. 'I love cooking, but I'm really not good at entertaining. I don't know anything about how you're not supposed to use overhead lighting when people come over,' Kaling said.

'You're supposed to use little lamps. But Meghan just knows how to do that stuff,' she shared. 'For kids' parties I usually just go to the party supply store and get paper things, which I don't judge and neither does she. But it was fun to learn simple ways to do a homemade kids' party.'.

And, interestingly enough, it seems like Kaling has been there since the beginning of Markle's new venture into lifestyle products. Last year, she was among an exclusive group to receive a jar of Markle's homemade jam, which was branded under American Riviera Orchard.

The Mindy Project star spilled that the episode she and Markle filmed was centered around throwing a party for children. Last year, she was among an exclusive group to receive a jar of Markle's homemade jam, which was branded under American Riviera Orchard.

At the time, Kaling took to her Instagram story to share a picture of the jar. 'I love cooking, but I'm really not good at entertaining. I don't know anything about how you're not supposed to use overhead lighting when people come over,' Kaling said. On Monday, Markle took to Instagram to share that she was taking her lifestyle brand in a different direction, rebranding from American Riviera Orchard to As Ever.

'I'm thrilled to introduce you to As Ever — a brand that I created and have poured my heart into,' Markle wrote in the caption, which was accompanied by a video announcement. '"As ever" means "as it's always been" or some even say "in the same way as always." If you've followed along since my days of creating The Tig, you'll know this couldn't be truer for me,' she continued.

She also shared that launch will coincide with the release of her new cooking show on Netflix. 'This new chapter is an extension of what has always been my love language, beautifully weaving together everything I cherish — food, gardening, entertaining, thoughtful living, and finding joy in the everyday,' Markle wrote, as she promised to keep fans in the loop.