Padma Lakshmi Opens Up About Past Same-Sex Encounter Amidst Melissa King Rumors
Prior to the buzz surrounding Padma Lakshmi’s deep bond with chef Melissa King, the celebrated writer discussed her sexual orientation in a passage from her 2016 autobiography.
Lakshmi, at 55 years old, recounted in her book Love, Loss and What We Ate how, during her time modeling in Milan and Paris, she “explored my curiosities and desires,” including a short-lived romantic encounter with another woman.
“While I have regrets about certain experiences, not all of them fall into that category, such as understanding the intimacy of touching and being touched by a woman,” she shared, as reported by the New York Daily News.
Lakshmi elaborated on her journey of sexual discovery during an interview and question-and-answer session with Andy Cohen in March 2016.
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“That period marked my initial time living far from home, surrounded by some of the most stunning women globally,” she remembered about the situation. “I have no regrets. It was my first experience as an adult, and I was exploring my sexual identity.”
The presenter of Top Chef stated, “I had never before engaged in an emotionally intimate or romantic bond with another woman. However, I stand by my choices. It was a lovely encounter. It occurred on several occasions, and then concluded.”
Even with Lakshmi’s disclosure of her same-sex encounters, her romantic history has primarily involved men, such as Salman Rushie, to whom she was wed between 2004 and 2007. The host of Padma’s Passport and Planet Food subsequently became involved with the late billionaire Teddy Forstmann in 2009, concurrent with her relationship with Adam Dell.
Lakshmi gave birth to her sole child, daughter Krishna, in February 2010, and co-parented her with Forstmann. Before Forstmann passed away in November 2011 at 71 years old, it was disclosed that Dell was Krishna’s biological father. Lakshmi and Dell, also 55, reunited romantically in 2017, though she confirmed her single status in 2021.
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Just recently, Lakshmi generated buzz when she and season 17 Top Chef champion King, 42, seemed exceptionally close while sporting matching Morticia and Gomez Addams outfits for Halloween. Two additional companions accompanied them, dressed as Wednesday Addams and Lurch from The Addams Family.
“I would die for her. I would kill for her. - Gomez Paddams,” King posted with an Instagram video from the celebration on November 1.
She added the caption “Cara Mia!” to a subsequent photo collection featuring Lakshmi, explaining that it is the Italian expression for “my dear.”
A few days before their shared costume was unveiled, Lakshmi spoke enthusiastically about her camaraderie with King and several other past Top Chef participants.
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“Melissa is someone whose culinary skills I have always admired,” Lakshmi informed People on October 28. “She is enjoyable to be around, and we appreciate our time together. She frequently accompanies me to events, so we are often seen together on the red carpet.”
Earlier in the current month, King stood alongside Lakshmi at the celebratory event for her latest publication, Padma’s All American Tales, Travels, and Recipes from Taste the Nation and Beyond: A Cookbook.
A video posted on the DelishYES Instagram account on November 4 showed Lakshmi sharing a laugh with King, while the author of Cook Like a King sat on her lap and rested a hand on Lakshmi’s forearm.
Us Weekly had previously attempted to contact representatives for both Lakshmi and King for their statements.
The pair intensified rumors that their relationship extended beyond mere friendship days afterward, during a joint cooking video shoot. In the Instagram video posted on Sunday, November 9, King lightheartedly commented that Lakshmi’s nails “look overtly queer at this moment.”
Lakshmi began to chuckle, responding with, “Please cease generating gossip.”
