SI Swimsuit Models Padma Lakshmi, Yumi Nu Reflect on What It Means to Be Asian American Today

Padma Lakshmi and Yumi Nu.Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated and Amanda Pratt/Sports Illustrated

For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, SI Swimsuit models Padma Lakshmi and Yumi Nu shared their thoughts on what it means to be of Asian American identity today. They opened up about all things involving diversity, culture and how their backgrounds have shaped their careers in an interview with Insider.

Lakshmi, who is the creator and executive producer of Taste the Nation and host of the Emmy Award-winning series Top Chef, said her identity as an Asian American woman and an immigrant “fuels” everything she does.

“I think being Asian American is multi-faceted: There are many cultures under that umbrella. It’s at least 100 languages. It’s also 40% of the world’s population, and a big economic powerhouse,” the 52-year-old explained. “And while the numbers are staggering, I do feel a kinship with other Asians. There’s a shared value system—respect for elders, closeness to extended family, focus on education, work ethic and temperament. On the other hand, being from India is very different than being from Japan, for example. There are vast differences culturally, and also culinarily, just to name a couple.”

Padma Lakshmi was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica. Set by Elizabeth Shevelev.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

The best-selling author, who was featured in the SI Swimsuit Issue this year after being photographed in Dominica, added that her favorite holiday is Diwali, and over the years, she has formed a community to celebrate with in New York.

View Padma Lakshmi’s full 2023 SI Swimsuit gallery here.

“It’s a chance to enjoy and share the music, food and rituals of our culture with those we love—and also pass it down to my daughter and her cousins,” she continued.

The magazine’s 2022 cover star, Yumi Nu, who is of Japanese and Dutch descent, returned to the publication for her third appearance this year. The Blueki plus-size clothing brand founder is also a musician in addition to being a full-time model. She was the first Asian plus-size model land the cover of the SI Swimsuit Issue.

View Yumi Nu‘s full 2023 SI Swimsuit gallery here.

“My modeling and music career have opened so many new doors for me to be the representation that I needed when I was younger myself. The ongoing opportunity to do so is what crystallizes my personal meaning of the Asian American identity,” Nu shared.

The 26-year-old admitted it was only in her late teenage years that she began to be super “proud of” and “lean into” her Asian heritage. She said she spent much of her childhood, living in New Jersey, Maryland and California, trying to suppress her roots, and that led to feeling isolated.

Yumi Nu was photographed by Amanda Pratt in Dominica. Swimsuit by Good American. Bracelets by Eklexic Jewelry. Rings by Spinelli Kilcollin and Eklexic Jewelry.

Amanda Pratt/Sports Illustrated

“I love that being Japanese means being gentle and strong at the same time. Our culture values hard work, strength and discipline while also in the same breath doing so with respect and kindness,” she continued. “I think these values are huge takeaways that I try to bring into my daily life. I’ve really seen support in my community come together in the past few years, both behind me in my highest and lowest moments, but also behind everyone else who wants to make a change.”

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