Mindy Kaling’s writers room inspiration? Rihanna

Every writer needs inspiration, and while Mindy Kaling’s Twitter account might suggest she’s never without quips, she shared with the Ministry one of her biggest muses: Rihanna.

As co-creator of Fox’s “The Mindy Project,” the actress and author said that RiRi often gets staff juices flowing because of her broad appeal.

“Rihanna is a big favorite,” Kaling said on Saturday at West Hollywood’s Mondrian hotel, where a reception was held ahead of the show’s fall premiere, “whatever the reason the guys on my staff can get behind it. They think she’s just super hot and intimidating. I can listen ... and feel inspired by it because everyone is into it.”

While we love the idea of a Rihanna-exclusive playlist blaring throughout a studio production office, Kaling shared her specific jam to rally the troops.

“ ‘Run This Town,’ we’ll just play that,” she said of the power anthem from Rihanna, Jay-Z and Kanye West. “[I’ll say,] Come on guys! Who is going to run this town? Is it going to be us or another show?”

Mindy’s “Project” costars Chris Messina and Ed Weeks, and it hits on Sept. 25 following the Season 2 premiere of “New Girl.”

Famous friends who came to toast the star with Vitaminwater cocktails included BJ Novak, John Mayer (and his haircut), Aziz Ansari, Hilary Duff, Ellie Kemper, Hayes MacArhtur and wife Ali Larter, Mark Duplass and Jenna Fischer.

ALSO:

Rihanna says she’s still in love with Chris Brown

Chris Brown and Rihanna: Together again in the Mediterranean?

Rihanna is missing her backside (and maybe millions of dollars too)

Follow Matt Donnelly on Twitter and Google+. Follow the Ministry of Gossip on Twitter @LATcelebs and on Facebook facebook.com/ministryofgossip.

PHOTOS AND MORE:

PHOTOS: Celebrity portraits by The Times

PHOTOS: Peril on the set - Celebrity injuries

TIMELINE: Kristen Stewart cheating scandal