As the longtime host of the hit cooking competition show Top Chef, Padma Lakshmi is no stranger to the spotlight. But the multi-talented star is making waves in a different arena—high-fashion modeling.
The prestigious 2025 Pirelli Calendar, an annual trade calendar renowned for its stunning celebrity photoshoots, recently announced Lakshmi as one of its models. The image captures Lakshmi halfway submerged in the waters of the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park in Miami, donning a sheer white t-shirt.
“To be honest, I didn’t feel particularly vulnerable,” Lakshmi told People magazine about the photo shoot. “I may have felt vulnerable 30 years ago, but I am fully in command of my body and how I look.”
Overall, the 52-year-old feels proud and grateful for the invitation to participate. “I really just was so happy to be a part of it, and I felt beautiful,” she said. “I felt cared for. I felt safe. I felt elegant. The pose in the water truly embodies a sense of serenity. I believe that’s how I feel right now, and it’s a wonderful feeling that I didn’t always experience.
Lakshmi is especially excited to show the stunning photograph to her 14-year-old daughter Krishna, as she wants her to see “womanhood in all its stages.”
Alongside Lakshmi, the 2025 Pirelli Calendar will feature a diverse array of celebrities, including John Boyega, Jodie-Turner Smith, Hunter Schafer, Vincent Cassel, Simone Ashley, and Jung Ho-yeon.
“They really captured the person and created beautiful, timeless images,” photographer Ethan James Green said of the pictures in the official announcement. “That was a big part of what I wanted to achieve with my calendar: to create something people can look back on in 20 to 30 years time that isn’t going to feel dated and hopefully will be referenced in the future.”
Championing Domestic Abuse Survivors
While Lakshmi embraces the glamour of the Pirelli shoot, she is also using her platform to shine a light on a much more serious issue: domestic abuse. The television host has joined the executive producer team for the powerful documentary film “Survivor Made.”
Directed by Drew Denny, the documentary is made by domestic abuse survivors, for survivors. In a unique move, the filmmakers have made sure that those in need can watch the film for free and anonymously.
Lakshmi stated in a statement, “Survivors of gender-based violence often face silence and lack the chance to share their own stories.” “‘Survivor Made’ is revolutionary in its honest and joyful portrayal of survivors as they build their lives, businesses, and communities—focusing not on their trauma but on their healing. As an executive producer, I take great pride in promoting this film to audiences nationwide.
Joining Lakshmi as executive producers are other outspoken survivors of gender-based violence, including Roxane Gay, Alok Vaid-Menon, Debbie Millman, and Nava Mau. To ensure maximum accessibility, we will release the film directly to audiences, bypassing traditional distributors. Survivors will be able to watch the documentary for free through a platform that protects their privacy and anonymity.
“That wasn’t why we made it. Sonya Passi, CEO of the non-profit group FreeFrom, which features in the film, stated, “I’m not trying to convince anyone of the artistry here.” “I’m trying to reach survivors and really create momentum and build survivors’ power,” said Sonya Passi, CEO of the non-profit group FreeFrom, which is featured in the film. As I utter these words, the urgency of this task has never been greater. We need to see survivors’ joy.”
Padma Lakshmi’s influence is evident, whether she graces the pages of the iconic Pirelli Calendar or uses her voice to support domestic abuse survivors. Her multifaceted talents and unwavering commitment to important causes make her an inspiration to women everywhere.