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SI Swimsuit Model Padma Lakshmi Has ‘Always Admired’ 2023 Cover Star Martha Stewart

The TV personality applauded the 81-year-old entrepreneur in a recent interview.

Ananya Panchal

Padma Lakshmi and Martha Stewart.

Padma Lakshmi and Martha Stewart.

We love women supporting women, especially when it’s two SI Swimsuit models. Culinary personality Padma Lakshmi, 52, who made her SI Swimsuit debut this year after being photographed in Dominica by James Macari, gushed in a recent interview about her love for Martha Stewart.

The 81-year-old entrepreneur, mom of one and grandmother of two landed one of four 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue covers following her photo shoot with Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic.

Padma Lakshmi was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica. 

“I mean, listen, if I’m still doing covers like she is at 80 plus. I mean, God, more power to her,” the Top Chef and Taste the Nation host told Page Six of Stewart. “And she’s always been someone I’ve admired, so why should this be any different?” 

The Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia founder made history as the oldest person to land the coveted SI Swimsuit cover.

“I thought, ‘This is kind of historic’ and ‘I better look really good because I want other women to feel that they could also be on the cover of Sports Illustrated,’” Stewart said of the feature while on location. “But I’m telling you, it’s very inspiring to take a look at a [picture by photographer] Ruven [Afanador] of Martha Stewart in the ocean here at Casa de Campo and see something really gorgeous.”

Martha Stewart was photographed by Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic. 

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Ananya Panchal
ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit, where she covers fashion, beauty, pop culture and the internet’s favorite personalities and trends. She joined the brand in 2022 after roles at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. Panchal loves to write about fashion in all its forms—from standout runway moments and evolving street style to the best accessories to elevate each season’s wardrobe (she rarely goes anywhere without a stack of jewelry and a coffee in hand). A self-proclaimed beauty fanatic, she’s always on the hunt for must-have products and loves breaking down viral trends. Her favorite series at the moment is spotlighting female founders and the stories behind the brands they’ve built—especially those shaping the future of fashion, wellness and tech. She is based between New York City and San Francisco and, when she’s not writing, can be found rewatching One Tree Hill, playing sudoku, trying new restaurants or ranking her favorite Disney Channel Original Movies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism with a minor in criminal justice from Boston University.

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