Padma Lakshmi Sizzles in Metallic Bikini, Shares BTS Video of SI Swimsuit Photo Shoot

The TV show host, mom and best-selling author makes her debut with the magazine this month.

Padma Lakshmi.Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Padma Lakshmi is riding the wave of her viral SI Swimsuit photos that everyone is talking about. The Top Chef and Taste the Nation host donned a stringy golden metallic bikini made of a collection of tiny armored circles from Toxic Sadie Swimwear during her photo shoot in Dominica. 

She posted a stunning behind the scenes video of herself being photographed by Yu Tsai on Instagram.

“This is me. I wouldn’t go back to my 20s if you paid me all the money in the world.@si_swimsuit #sportsillustratedswimsuit #bts,” she captioned the May 3 IG reel shared with her 1.3 million followers. The video of Lakshmi hitting various glamorous poses and effortlessly slipping in to “model mode” was set to the sound of Etta James’s “A Sunday Kind of Love.”

As an author, activist, actress, model, philanthropist, and television host, there isn’t anything Padma Lakshmi doesn’t do and now, she’s joining the pages of the SI Swimsuit 2023 issue!https://t.co/wbYzBnIYrm

— Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@SI_Swimsuit) May 1, 2023

“Amazing. And, I feel the same. :),” Jeni Britton agreed.

“Too sexy, reporting this,” Mindy Kaling commented.

“Gorgeous inside and out,” Amanda de Cadenet wrote.

“okay this is EVERYTHING!! you’re incredible,” Nasim Lahbichi gushed.

The mom of one makes her debut with the magazine later this month. She revealed that while her modeling career peaked in her 20s, being an SI Swimsuit model at 52 is even more unexpected and exciting.

“I was a little bit freaked out because I knew that I couldn’t get as tight and lean as I could if I had some more time,” the best-selling author said about being photographed just a month after she wrapped up filming her two cooking shows. “But then I just looked in the mirror and I reminded myself, I’m not here because I’m the world’s greatest model. I’m here because I’m me. I’m not getting this in my 20s. I’m getting this now, at this point, and it’s so much sweeter because I’m doing it now.”

"I have never felt better about myself."https://t.co/qq7rBGxSYt

— Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@SI_Swimsuit) May 1, 2023

Meet Padma Lakshmi—read the 2023 SI Swimsuit model’s full feature profile here.

Get ready for the hottest event of the year! The 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue release is just around the corner, and you won’t want to miss the Swimsuit Issue Launch Party. Secure your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable weekend of glamour, beauty and fun.

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