Bloggers and online commenters are in a bit of a twist over Mindy Kaling’s newly released Elle cover, but the star of The Mindy Project herself is staying classy about it. After the four covers of this month’s issue (featuring Kaling and fellow honorees Zooey Deschanel (New Girl), Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) and Allison Williams (Girls)), people were quick to point out that Kaling seemed to have drawn the short end of the stick. While the other women were pictured in color, full-body portraits, while Kaling received the black and white treatment. Her photo is also the only one cropped to focus just on her face.

Mindy Kaling, Fox Fall Party
Did Kaling's body type prevent her from getting the same treatment as her fellow actresses?

Because Kaling is the only one who counts as “curvier” by Hollywood standards (although a size 8 could hardly be called “curvy” in Regular People Land), the conclusion that Elle had cropped her due to restrictive beauty standards was obvious. The same sort of controversy happened back in 2013, when Melissa McCarthy posed for the cover, draped in a baggy coat. Back then, however, McCarthy insisted that the look had been her own choice and that was that.

Mindy Kaling, Primetime Emmy Awards
Kaling herself likes and defends her cover.

Elle stood by its cover treatment, telling E! News in a statement, "Mindy looks sexy, beautiful and chic. We think it is a striking and sophisticated cover and are thrilled to celebrate her in our Women in TV Issue." Kaling, 34, has yet to comment on the controversy via her Twitter account. Kaling summed up the sentiment in 140 characters or less on Twitter: “"I love my @ELLEmagazine cover. It made me feel glamorous & cool. And if anyone wants to see more of my body, go on thirteen dates with me.”

And that is how to have the last word and bow out gracefully.