TV Host Padma Lakshmi Looks Absolutely Electric in These 7 Photos From Dominica

The culinary personality stunned in her 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue feature.

Ananya Panchal | Jan 14, 2024

Padma Lakshmi was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Culinary personality Padma Lakshmi traded her apron for stunning earthy bikinis during her SI Swimsuit debut last year. The Top Chef alumna and Taste the Nation host nailed her feature with photographer Yu Tsai on the breathtaking Caribbean island country of Dominica, where she was captured for the 2023 issue.

The 53-year-old, who grew up posing for tons of luxury fashion labels and gracing the pages of countless magazines, said there was something extra special and significant about getting her SI Swimsuit opportunity in her 50s, rather than at the peak of her modeling career in her 20s.

“I really thought that the Sports Illustrated ship had sailed for me, or the possibility of it, and I’d never done it before. But I have never felt better about myself. My thighs may have been leaner, and my boobs were probably slightly higher in earlier parts of my life, but I wouldn’t go back to my 20s if you paid me all the money in the world,” the mom of one, who lives in New York City with her daughter, Krishna, said, adding that it felt so much “sweeter” at this age. “I love where I am in my life, and no, my body’s not perfect by any means, but I don’t care. I feel like I have a very lucky, fruitful, productive life, and I hope that’s what [people] see when they see these pictures. I hope they see a full woman in all my facets and nuances, and also some contradictions.”

Below are six of our favorite photos of the New York Times best-selling author in Dominica.

Padma Lakshmi was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica. Swimsuit by Toxic Sadie Swimwear.

Padma Lakshmi was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica. Swimsuit by NAVY RAY.

Padma Lakshmi was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica. Swimsuit by Ola Vida.

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

Padma Lakshmi was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica. Swimsuit by PatBO.

Padma Lakshmi was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica. Swimsuit by Initial S Paris. Necklace from model’s own collection.

Padma Lakshmi was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica. Swimsuit by Tropic of C. Bracelets from model’s own collection.

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!

Published Jan 14, 2024

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When she is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, Panchal can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. Panchal has a bachelor’s in communications and journalism from Boston University.