Kal Penn on CBS Sunday Morning. (Screenshot from Youtube)
Actor and former White House staff member, Kal Penn recently opened up about his relationship with his fiancé Josh in his new book, “You Can’t Be Serious.”
Best-known for his work as Kumar Patel in the “Harold & Kumar” film franchise and on the TV series “Designated Survivor,” Penn opens up in his book about the experiences he faced as a gay person of color within the entertainment industry. He also reflects on his career as former White House Associate Director during the Obama Administration.
Penn’s memoir follows his life growing up as the son of immigrant parents and the struggles they’d face trying to achieve the American dream.
Coming out to a South Asian household can be difficult due to the traditional beliefs the community holds but for Penn, speaking with PEOPLE magazine ahead of the book’s release, he says he was fortunate to have such an understanding family.
“I shared things with my parents and close friends first. I know this sounds jokey, but it’s true,” Penn said. “When you’ve already told your Indian parents and the South Asian community that you intend to be an actor for a living, really any conversations that come after that are super easy.”
Penn dives deep into his relationship with his fiancé giving details on how the two met and their first date together.
“I thought, ‘This obviously is not going to work out,” he recalls. “I have one day off from The White House and this dude is unironically watching cars go around and make left turns? Next thing you know, it’s been a couple of months and we’re watching NASCAR every Sunday. I’m like, ‘What is happening?’ I wanted the reader to enjoy the love and the humor through all of those stories.”
Penn wanted to be as transparent as possible in his book — recounting all the key moments that have occurred in his life.
“I want to take you into my stories and I want you to experience them with the same joy that I’ve experienced them. That was the way that my friends have met my parents and Josh, as they’ve gotten to know them over the last 10 years.”
Announcing my first book! “You Can’t Be Serious” is available for pre-order now! Releasing Nov 2nd. More here: 👇🏽https://t.co/eiCok0ub8J pic.twitter.com/QUtAUuy2pR
— Kal Penn (@kalpenn) March 2, 2021
“You Can’t Be Serious” is available wherever books are sold Nov. 2.
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