Currently Bookmarking: Perveen Singh

Chili Padi energy: small, spicy, and impossible to ignore

For this edition of Currently Bookmarking, I’m featuring one of my best friends, Perveen. We met in college and then really hit our stride studying abroad in Paris our junior year. She’s someone I’ve always known to be deeply thoughtful, endlessly curious, and very much in her own lane creatively. She’s an actress, a writer, and the voice behind her Substack, Chili Padi , which feels like sitting across from her a few martinis in, talking about everything and nothing all at once. Let’s get into it:

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KD: Hi Koop! For anyone just discovering you, tell us a little about yourself and how you’d describe what you do, both on and off Substack.

PS: I’m an actress, writer and screenwriter. I was born in Malaysia, raised in Texas and call LA home. When I’m not on set - or on Substack - you’ll find me daydreaming in a bubble bath, dancing to disco or on the hunt for my holy grail champagne.

KD: What made you start writing on Substack, and what were you craving at the time that you weren’t finding elsewhere?

PS: I never had a live journal and I was very happy to live in my own head but it’s been so fun writing and sharing on this platform. I’ll credit my friend Paige for pushing me to take the plunge. She was like you should do it, I’d read it, and sometimes all you need is one person you love to tell you they believe in you to go, yea, I’m gonna do it! I think everyone has a unique POV, so Chili Padi wasn't necessarily a response to a gap. A lot of my favorite writers, like Eve Babitz, mine their own lives, so Chili Padi is an ode to that style of writing while still feeling wholly me. Chili padi is what we call tiny, piquant Birds Eye peppers in Southeast Asia. It’s slang for a small spicy woman (some say derogatory, some say affectionate) and I love fiery women so I thought it’d be a cute nod to my birthplace and a way to own the title.

KD: I love that you didn’t necessarily start it to fill a gap, but more as an extension of your own point of view. You’re both an actress and a writer, and it feels like storytelling is the throughline across everything you do. How do those two parts of your life inform each other, if at all?

PS: I see it all as storytelling. I didn’t take theatre as a kid, but I’d enter these contests where you’d adapt a story or book you loved into a one-person play. My love for reading always guided my love for acting and writing, so I see them as going hand-in-hand. As an actor, when I’m cast in someone else’s work, I respect that I’m there to serve that story, but my favorite sets are where it’s a collaborative process. I love when a writer or director is open to working on a character together - it’s how I approach my screenwriting. I have a clear vision, but I’m open to re-jiggering it once the cast and crew come into the picture. I started writing screenplays as a response to rejection I faced auditioning - how would I play that character my way - and that’s what interested me in producing and directing too. I think it’s amazing that whole worlds spring from words on paper.

For creative fiction and non-fiction, I treat it as a different outlet - getting to toggle between the two keeps it feeling exciting and fresh. My first dream job was to be a fashion writer so getting to write for Who What Wear and do brand copywriting has been very gratifying for my inner 10 year-old self, then from there, I started writing about my life, which is freeing because it’s totally my own. I don’t have to satisfy anyone else. I’m also working on a collection of short stories that I hope to publish later this year. When I look back on my life, I want to look back at a truly multi-faceted career.

KD: That idea of toggling between different creative outlets really comes through in your writing. It feels thoughtful and self aware without trying too hard, which is rare. When you actually sit down to write, what does that process look like for you?

PS: That’s a really kind observation, thank you. I try not to censor myself too much. I’m at a stage in life where I’m happy to share but as I’m writing, the second it starts to feel icky, I’ll know I’m pushing something. So I’ll stop and re-route. I don’t think I’ll ever be someone who overshares because truthfully it’s not who I am. I don’t want to have every bit of my personal life out there but the bits I do share, that’s my way of connecting. If I meet you at a dinner party, we’re going deep, you know? I’ll go as deep as you want to. I love sitting with people and asking questions, and I approach my writing that way. I want my reader to feel like we’re two martinis deep at the bar in a really fab restaurant, gossiping and having a good laugh. Starting Chili Padi helped me fall in love with the writing process so I always want it to feel like we’re having a blast, even if the subject is sticky.

KD: You mentioned not censoring yourself too much and following what feels natural, which makes sense because your writing also captures really small, specific moments. You notice things that other people might overlook. Do you think that’s something you’ve always had, or something you’ve grown into over time?

PS: It comes with the territory of being an only child. You’re more attuned to things naturally, you pick up on stuff because you’re always observing. My parents had me late so I grew up around mostly adults who spoke to me like I was one, so the world opens up to you in a different way. Then as I got older, I realized a lot of acting and writing is about being aware of your surroundings, so I taught myself to really sit and watch and observe without judgement. It’s taught me how to stay present and to stay curious. I love learning what makes people tick.

KD: And when something does catch your attention, how do you decide what’s worth turning into a piece versus something that just lives in your notes or stays in your head?

PS: It’s part “wanting to get stuff out” and part jotting things down in the notes app. Even if it’s not important, if it strikes me in the moment, I’ll write it down. In my Substack dashboard I have unwritten drafts that may turn into a piece down the line, may get recycled into something else or may never see the light of day. I went back in there and saw a piece I started about Yolanda Hadid’s glass fridge and I’m like hmmm what was I trying to say here? And there’s one more about disassociating in a CVS. But yea, my notes app is where the juice is, it’s my favorite app. It’s my confessional. Beyond that, I go with my gut. If something keeps speaking to me I’m like ok, time to dust off the keyboard, crack my fingers and get typing.

KD: Your notes app being your confessional feels very on brand. At the same time, your writing always feels personal but still intentional, which isn’t always easy to strike. How do you think about what you share versus what you keep just for yourself?

PS: That’s an on-going evolution. As a writer I have a responsibility to never set an off-limit topic because my feelings could change (I don’t mean hate speech or being intentionally provocative for clickbait). I don’t ever want to be afraid to talk about something. At the same time, I’m not 22 anymore, I’ve learned to curb my impulsiveness. The internet is forever, so I know how to do a gut check and I think you can be authentic and real without spilling everything. For example, my husband and my parents are private people so there are things with them that I’ll think twice about before sharing. That’s the beauty of writing, you can take the essence of something and weave it into something fictional later. It doesn’t always have to be black and white. There’s that saying “when a writer is born into a family, the family is finished,” but that feels so bleak! I’m not Capote, I’m not trying to hurt anyone with my writing. I feel confident enough in my voice to be myself and truthful without being an asshole.

KD: It also sounds like that’s something that’s constantly evolving for you. Has your relationship with sharing online shifted at all since you started writing more publicly?

PS: I think so! I’ve always struggled with the push and pull of wanting to be seen and wanting to stay private. Maybe it’s my Leo Rising and my Scorpio moon at odds. I find mystery very appealing, it’s not a commodity you can buy, but at the same time, I admire people who are comfortable putting it out there. With the current landscape, it goes hand-in-hand with career success, so I’d like to be better at it. Wanting to be seen, it’s a very human desire, it’s normal. Maybe this summer I’ll post more thirst traps. You can teach me. Watch out!

KD: Switching gears a bit, I loved how you described your taste shifting even with something as simple as changing your hair color. How would you describe your taste right now, across everything?

PS: I dyed my hair darker earlier this year and it’s shifted my taste all over. Funny how hair color can do that. It’s making me feel a lot sexier and a bit more serious and I keep toying with wanting Françoise Hardy bangs (the eternal question). It inspired me to do a huge closet purge. When my hair was honey-toned, I was reaching for lighter, softer looks. I felt sunnier. Now I want structure and richer hues all around. I just got these amazing low rise Stella jeans that I’m obsessed with and a few colorful blazers and this little Birkin-esque Missoni dress that I hemmed dangerously short. I also have an urge to host more, maybe because I got this incredible new rug that’s pulled the living room together. I’m feeling lots of long summer dinner parties, barefoot in the garden with tons of wine and laughter and good music.

KD: And within that, do you feel like you’re in a phase of refining your taste or expanding it?

PS: Probably refining. Sometimes I surprise myself with what catches my eye but my style icons have generally remained the same: Bianca Jagger, Mary-Kate and 2000s Victoria Beckham (I have a soft spot for that tacky-fab WAG glam). Lauren Hutton’s always on the mood board, she’s consistently effortless and her ’75 Oscars look is my all-time fav. If I’m running errands around Venice, I’m channeling Chester the Cheetah: sunnies, sneakers (my choice: red checkerboard Vans). He’s not wearing pants but you know if he were, it’d be perfectly-broken in straight leg Levi’s. Actually he’s very Danny Zuko-coded and one of the things we bonded over is our love for Grease. Eyewear is where I’ll indulge in trends. My husband has a sunglass line so I’m lucky there - I’m currently obsessed with my Crap Mini Funks from the spring collection.

KD: You mentioned books, music, and all these layered references that feel very you. What’s been inspiring you lately?

PS: I’m into booksmaxxing right now, there are 10 books on my nightstand and I’m committed to reading them all. I just finished Swanna In Love and I’m totally obsessed with Jennifer Belle, she’s my new literary crush. I binged Riz Ahmed’s Bait in one sitting and loved it, I think he’s brilliant. I’m still not over Rosalia’s Lux and I’m back to Cowboy Carter after this writer’s retreat in Jackson Hole I just went on. Imagine four grown women laugh-crying every word to II Most Wanted. Baby Rocki’s Dior haute couture diaper on the W cover is very inspiring, Rihanna doesn’t miss. Zeenat Aman is a fav follow. She’s a legendary Bollywood actress, a total glamazon from the 70s and her page is dedicated to embracing life in every chapter. I’m also very inspired by my friends - Nieri is a sexy Italian whose debut album Architecture dropped earlier this year. Give it a listen, you won’t regret it (“Outside” is a perfect summer song).

KD: Between your Substack and everything else you’re working on, I’d imagine there are a few pieces that feel especially close to you. Is there one you’d point someone to as a first read?

PS: Two recent pieces I loved writing are Birthday Suit or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Disco Ball. Seeking Buoyancy is probably my most vulnerable post. For your readers loving Currently Bookmarking, I do my version called Chili Chat - I just interviewed Rezek Studio founder Ariel Rezek and it’s a really fun one. And then I hope you’ll keep reading, subscribe and join the party after :)

KD: We met in Paris (kind of) and became instant besties, which I still think says a lot. How much do you feel your environment and the people around you shape what you write about?

PS: Actually we met at Coachella - I think we’d just found out we were both going to Paris - and I remember you coming up to me on crutches and I was like you know what, this girl is in a boot in blistering heat, she’s def down for a good time. But yes we hit our stride in Paris, that night at Social Club might’ve cemented it for us. I can be a bit of an introvert. I like spending time alone - I can go on whole adventures in my head - but at the end of the day, I love having a partner-in-crime. Someone to look over at and be like we’re doing this right? Everyone else was content going to the American bars but we were like nuh uh, let’s sneak into this party. Let’s get into Le Baron. Let’s find the best vintage (which is how we ended up braving a Sunday snowstorm in floor length furs). That’s where the magic is. You know I like to say, you gotta be in cahoots. I love trying new things, but when I’m in cahoots with someone, we could be in a paper bag and we’d still have fun together. Ultimately, those are the people I gravitate towards. I’m a “I’m down if you are” friend, which gets me into some trouble, but I have great stories to tell!

I grew up as an expat so having a global worldview is important to me and it’s shaped my voice. If you’re lucky enough to travel, it’s the best way to get inspired. It’s my favorite splurge. It always comes back to observing, I dedicate a lot of time to people watching. Any trip is going to be inherently different from my everyday routine so I try to make the most of it. Even in LA sometimes if I'm in a rut I’ll drive to the other side of town to see a friend or go to a museum or sit and write in a new café and that does the trick of shaking me out of it. I always want to come back from a trip inspired and ready to dive into some work, even if physically sometimes, I’m hurting!

KD: Wow. I almost forgot about Coachella… Ok, so staying on Paris for a second, because it feels like such a defining chapter, how has that time in your life and even revisiting it recently shaped your perspective today?

PS: Paris will always be a very important city to me. It’s an easy place to romanticize but it’s the first place I felt truly independent. I got a taste of living alone, setting my own routine and really being with my own thoughts. I’ll always go to bat for LA. I love living here, and I’m a little freak who loves driving, but there’s something magical about stepping out the door and navigating a city purely on foot or on the metro. Good public transport gives you license to explore fearlessly and if you feel fearless, your creativity can really flourish. I love the energy in museums there - people are less precious, they bring their young kids and docents aren’t eyeing them warily. Maybe I’m looking at Paris through rosé-lenses, but I think we all have those places that unlock something in us and Paris is that place for me. It taught me to feel self-sufficient and that’s when I do my best work. The goal is to have a place there eventually, a pied-à-terre where I can go to write (and host of course - I’ve always got room for you!)

KD: Finally, what are you currently bookmarking right now?

PS: Cocktail recipes with orange blossom or lavender. Blue eyeshadow. Vintage brightly-colored dresses I can cut into micro minis. I want to up my summer jewelry game so I’m bookmarking tons of cuffs and bangles (and a Gaudir bikini to pair it with). Exhibits to visit in New York this summer. I’ve been doing research for a project I’m working on (that’ll hopefully be a reality soon) so I'm revisiting lots of 2000s ads (especially loving the Nokia ones). I’m trying to plan an end-of-year trip with my cousin and we’re looking at Sri Lanka safaris. And the dozens of articles I’ve been meaning to read right here on Substack.

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As expected, this felt like sitting across from Perv (Koop to me…an ode to The OC) and catching up over a fabulous cocktail, the kind of convo that starts in one place and ends up somewhere a little deeper, a little more thoughtful. That’s always been her thing. She notices what most people miss, holds onto it, and then turns it into something worth sitting with. Chili Padi does exactly that. It pulls you into the in-between moments and makes them feel like the point. If you’re not already reading, consider this your sign.