Actor Kal Penn (44) is releasing his book “You Can’t Be Serious” this week. In it, the star from “Designated Survivor” and “Dr. House ”that he has been in a committed relationship with a man for many years – and also surprised with the news that he was engaged.
“I discovered my own sexuality relatively late compared to many other people,” reports the New Jersey-born actor to “People”. However, he thinks there is no set schedule for things like this: “People find out what they want at different times in their lives, and I’m glad I did when I did.”
“Transparent and honest”
He and his partner Josh have already promised to get married. The two men have been a couple for eleven years, and after all this time the engagement seemed only logical for both of them.
“I know this sounds like a joke, but it’s true: if you’ve already told your Indian parents (…) that you intend to make a living as an actor, all the conversations that come after that are super easy”, quips the 44-year-old.
Out of consideration for his family, Penn explains that he was silent for a long time. His partner and parents “don’t like being in the spotlight”. Nevertheless, he wanted to be “transparent and honest” in his book without compromising the privacy of his loved ones. This is one of the reasons why he prefers to keep Josh’s last name a secret.
He himself “always felt very supported” from all sides, but also knows “that everyone has had different experiences”.
And although Penn is only now publicly sharing his “authentic self” with his fans, he made it clear that he has always “been very open with everyone I have dealt with personally”. For example with his buddy, US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Penn posted this photo from the famous gay bar Stonewall Inn in June and wished everyone “Happy Pride!”
On the first date there was beer and car races
The couple got to know each other while Penn was working at the White House. From 2009 to 2011, the 44-year-old was an advisor to US President Barack Obama. Penn is also currently working in the White House’s Office of Public Engagement – this time under US President Joe Biden.
In his role in the White House, Penn is responsible for direct dialogue between the Biden Harris administration and the American public, establishing contacts and coordinating meetings with citizensPhoto: Stefan Jeremiah / AP
In his book he reveals very personal stories, such as the one about his first date with his fiancé. At first he didn’t believe that the relationship could become serious.
Because: At the first meeting, Josh stopped by with an 18-pack of beer, immediately turned on the TV, and watched car races. Penn recalls, “I thought, this is obviously not going to work.” Just a few weeks later, they would both have every Sunday together Watched motorsport.
As for the upcoming wedding, Penn reveals that the two are still in the planning stages. As the son of Indian immigrants, he definitely wants a “great Indian wedding”.
“Obviously I’m engaged to a man and of course our families will be there at the wedding.” The big question now is “whether it will be a big or a small wedding,” said Penn. His fiancé even suggested we “just make a quick 20-minute thing with our families” out of it.
The “Harold & Kumar” star, on the other hand, would like a little more effort for the big day: “So we have to meet halfway somewhere in the middle.”
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