Fashion model Padma Lakshmi became a household name when she started to co-host the Bravo reality series Top Chef with New York City professional chef Tom Colicchio (co-founder of the famous restaurant Gramercy Tavern) in 2006.
Lakshmi has since become a producer of the popular cooking competition show and has published five books including her first, Easy Exotic: A Model’s Low Fat Recipes From Around the World (1999).
Lakshmi recently went back to her modeling roots to pose in a tiny, taut string bikini, as seen in the photos above and video below.
The 52-year-old brunette captioned the behind-the-scenes video — taken for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition: “This is me. I wouldn’t go back to my 20s if you paid me all the money in the world.”
Lakshmi’s fans and famous friends are going wild over the video and her body positive message. This Is Us alum Sterling K. Brown replied: “Nor would we want you to, ma’am! As you were…”
Comedian/actress Mindy Kaling replied: “Too sexy, reporting this.” And fellow former model and Season 5 Top Chef contestant Carla Hall chimed in: “No one in their 20’s holds a candle to you.”
Of course some of her fans don’t approve wholeheartedly. As one replied: “I think you’re amazing. But why are photo shoots still doing poses with women on all four’s or with lips slightly pursed? Are dudes doing the same thing? How about a new imagery for sexy!”
That comment has stirred a longer conversation. One fan defended Lakshmi’s choice: “I’m a gay man but if I was a woman and I had control of the photoshoot I’d still be on all fours because I’m sexy af and I want men (and other women) to drool all over my hot photos. What is so wrong with pursed lips and full cleavage? Padma has fully proved she’s more than just something to look at, but what’s so wrong with people lusting after you?”
Another chimed in in her defense: “This is still sexy even if you don’t like it.”
